Icu Bed

Genre of the film: Indies film Setting: The film happened during the modern days at a hospital. Characters: * Eddie Garcia as Joseph * Angel Aquinas as Beth * Ion Bemoaning as Joe * Irma Dolan as Cell * Happen Sys as Ann * Irvin Viola as Joshua Plot: The plot of the movie happened in the middle part. Many things were going on, tragedies, happiness, and sufferings. One of those tragedies was when Ann found out that she was pregnant, and the father of her child doesn't want to claim their baby. Another one Is when Cell found out that her husband was cheating on her.Her husband had another family. And the last one is when Joseph, their father, was getting sicker and sicker. Conflict: The conflict of the story was when Joseph didn't want to stop doing his illegal fetish, despite of his Illness. He keeps on doing what he wants to do, and he doesn't even bother if it's going to harm him or not. How conflict was resolved: The conflict was resolved when Joseph had a dream while he was in his hospital bed. He dreamt about what would happen to him if he was dead, and honestly, it wasn't too good. So, when he woke up and realized he was still alive, he decided to do hat he can to live.He didn't totally give up on his bad habits but still, he lived. Summary: Once there was an old man named Joseph. He had many bad habits. Some of these were smoking, drinking, and gambling. One day, he reached his limits and he was sent to the hospital. He was there for a long time, not knowing when he will be cured. His family did everything for him to survive, but, like any other families, they too had their own problems. These problems were teenage pregnancy, family problems, and bad parenting. Josephs family was very full of disorder but they managed to solve these problems.As time passed by, Joseph has been cured from his illness; Ann had decided to keep her baby even though she was not at the right age for it, Joshua finally obeys his parent's, and the two sisters conquered their probl ems. The end. Values learned: One of the values learned In this movie was to not give up even though you are really struggling from your problem. Giving up was never a choice whenever you have problems. Always remember that there are people around you who are going to support you for whatever that'll happen in your life. Another lesson is to take care of yourself. Take care of your body, your health, and your mind.Don't do things that you know will harm yourself. Always remember that whenever you do bad things, you will have to repay some debts and you will have some consequences, in order for you to 1 OFF learn that lesson. Personal reactions: Honestly, I have many reactions about this movie. I really felt that I connected with the movie because the things that happened to Joseph were really similar to what happened to my grandfather who had Just passed away. I think that the movie was very legit in a sense that it was really realistic, unlike other movies that are very sectional a nd you really wouldn't think it would happen in real life.The scenes in this movie would really happen in real life, and I actually liked that fact that the director made the movie like this. It was very creative of him to do a movie that was very true to life. I think the goal of the director of the movie, Rica Reveal, was to make sure that her audience would connect with the movie they're watching. And I appreciate that very well. I am glad that I had watched this movie because I learned so many things, I realized so many things, and I discovered so many things that I haven't learned in my life before.

My Country Nepal Essay

Culture is embedded in the high peaks of Nepal, tradition flows with its rivers, art traverses through its valleys and religion lies in the heart of its people. Nepal, in short, is a country where art, culture and religion are a part of life of the inhabitants. People celebrate every moment with aroma, adding novelty to the traditions without affecting their essence. Art of Nepal The art and architecture of Nepal is deeply influenced by the religion. Unique craftsmanship can be found in temples, architecture, shrines, fountains and the design of religious objects. Art and religion is so deeply interlocked that it is impossible to separate the one from the other. All art forms express both Hindu and Buddhist iconography. Buddhism in Nepal Buddhism, the fourth largest religion all over the world, has strong roots in Nepal. Buddhism in Nepal dates from the birth of Siddhartha Gautama himself, therefore Buddhist influences are evident on the culture of Nepal. Nepal is the meeting point for Indian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Culture of Nepal The culture of Nepal is a assemblage of music, architecture, religion and literature. This mountain kingdom is multi-ethic and multi-lingual. The land is rich with unique cultural groups like Tharu,Yadav, Ahir, Newars and others. Food of Nepal Nepalese are great foodies and their food varieties are hot, spicy and nutritious. Newari and Thakali cuisines are the original taste of Nepal. Otherwise, Nepalese style of cooking has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan cooking. Dal Bhat tarkari is the staple food of Nepal. Meat curries and monos are the hot favorites among the tourists. Music of Nepal The rhythm, beats, bounce of Nepali traditional folk and classical music is spiritual enough to sooth you and entertaining enough to cheer you. Music is associated with every event in Nepal, then be it birth, marriage, festivals or national events. People of Nepal The people of Indo-Aryan community are the original inhabitants of Nepal. No wonder their descendents form the majority even now. Other major groups in Nepal are Gurungs and Magars who live mainly in the western region; Rais, Limbus and Sunwars who live in the eastern mid hills; Sherpas, Manangpas and Lopas who live near the mountains of Everest, Annapurna and Mustang respectively. Religion of Nepal Religion in Nepal is not only a system of social coherence based on certain rituals and beliefs, rather it is the binding force that ties the mountain kingdom together. Though Nepal is famous, as the world’s only Hindu Kingdom, equal respect is given to other religions as well. Buddhism is the second largest religion followed in Nepal, others being Tantrism, Islam and Christianity.

Autism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Autism - Essay Example In many children, autism develops before the age of 3. A relationship between autism and psychology has been established by defining and associating their dynamics. Psychology is a field of study that deals with the human mind. The study of psychology has helped in the understanding and treatment of autism through methods such as psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, and developmental psychology. Both psychology and autism deal with the brain and are complementary in nature. Psychology is largely used to understand the dynamics of autism, and develop methods to treat it. Psychologists use several types of therapies to treat autism. Autism impairs the communication and interaction skills of children (Cohen, 2002). Consequently, children become psychologically affected for being different from other children. Inability to communicate and interact effectively causes them social anxiety and depression that has far-reaching psychological implications (PubMed Health, 2012). Psychologis ts use various variations of talk therapy to correct strained communication skills. A psychologist is able to help autistic individuals improve their communication skills, overcome anxiety and depression, and learn how to interact effectively with other people (Flusberg, 1999). ... One of the roles of psychologists is to diagnose and recommend treatment methods for autism (Flusberg, 1999). Therefore, autism cannot be effectively diagnosed and treated without the services of psychologists. They aid autistic individual to eradicate depression, anxiety, and preservative behaviors that affect them adversely (Corsello, 2005). Psychologists accomplish these roles because they fully understand the effects and consequences of autism. On the other hand, psychologists also help victims to manage their lives, improve social interactions, and understand various social cues that determine the effectiveness of communication. Autism and psychology are related through the methods used to treat the disorder. These methods include psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, and developmental psychology. Psychotherapy is a method that involves use of talk as a way of solving a patient’s emotional problems (Corsello, 2005). Psychologists use methods such as role-play and expo sure therapy to assist autistic individuals (PubMed Health, 2012). Applied behavior analysis manages the disorder by teaching autistic individuals new behaviors that replace existing behaviors that could have resulted from the effects of the disorder. Psychologists use rewards to teach patients certain behaviors thus conditioning them in ways that eradicate the disorder (Corsello, 2005). Development psychology deals with aspects of child development. A direct link can be established between this branch of psychology and autism because autism interferes with the normal development of a child’s brain while psychology studies the functioning of the brain. It forms the foundation for autism remedies such as relationship

Financial Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Financial Resource Management - Essay Example With the help of trade goods are made available to consumers at the time of their need. It removes the hindrance of persons by bringing together producers and consumers who are widely scattered. Financing is of two types, equity financing and debt financing. When you are in need of money or looking for capital, company's debt-to-equity-ratio should be considered. It is the relations between the Dollars or Euros that an entrepreneur has borrowed and Dollars or Euros invested in the business. The more the investment by the owners the more they attract the financing. When the equity to debt ratio of the firm is high then debt financing should be taken. If the proportion of the debt to equity ratio of the firm is high then it is advised that the owners should increase their equity investment, that way they cannot jeopardize firm's survival. Limited equity financing is used by most of the small or growth stage businesses. Whereas in debt financing, funds pour in from different quarters like from friends, relatives, etc. Venture capitalists are the most common source of equity funding. Venture capitalists may be institutional risk takers, financial institutions, wealthy persons, etc. and most of them specialize in industries. Venture capitalists are risk takers and show interest only in three to five year old companies that result in more than average profits. These venture capitalists are called as investment gurus whose interest lies in those companies that have major regional and national concerns. Debt Financing Commercial finance companies, financial institutions, banks, savings and loans, Lloyds Bank small business, etc. are some of the sources for debt financing. Because of their positive impact on the whole economy local and state government encourage the growth of the small companies. In debt financing additional funds comes from friends, family, relatives, and industry colleagues, etc when capital investment is smaller. Generally banks formed as a major source for loans for the establishment of small businesses. Banks don't offer long term loans to small firms instead they grant short term loans for machinery and

Book review1 Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Book review1 - Literature review Example The book was published in the year 2007 by Crossway Books publishing ministry of Good News Publishers whose headquarters are in Illinois. Among the several books that J. Piper has published includes God’s Passion for His Glory, The Pleasures of God, Future Grace, A hunger for God and Desiring God among others. Based on the many items on theology, the author has produced a book that provides a basis for today Christian living. The various concepts displayed in the book relate to academic, biblical and psychological understanding of the writer on key items as presented in the bible. John Piper addresses main topics basing his ideas on the works of N.T Wright and citing his works throughout his book which centres on justification and judgment. The scope of the book is wide as the writer outlines his ideas concerning previous works of others, maintaining his thought on various issues and using ideas to base his argument. Among the issues discussed in the book are such as the relationship between law and covenant, dynamics of justification, justification and gospel, and places of Christian works in justification. The author also analyses the concept of justification on the death of Christ being able to cleanse sin. In this, he notes that avoiding sin is essential for the forgiveness of sin but noting with precedence that his death was to ensure human justification. He cites Colossian 2:14, Revelation 1:5, Galatians 2:21 among other books to show that the death of Christ is sufficient to cover human sins. He is opposed to the view of the writers of the New Testament who saw the death of the Messiah as the ultimate end to His life (Piper, 2007, p.43). Piper’s view is that the Lord continually seems to manifest himself in us implying He lives as implored in the story of the resurrection. According to him, the obedience of Christ to die for us

Final paper Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final paper - Movie Review Example The role of violence in the film is to establish and to preserve power, on the one hand, and to defend the helpless from power-greedy individuals and groups, on the other hand. The film establishes this role through the construction of the nature and ends of violence by using the elements of storytelling, cinematography, music, and editing, while the effect of these scenes on the audience is to help them realize the positive and negative uses of violence, as they witness how the cultural historical background of China demonstrates the conflict between Chinese and American cultures through the conflicts between autonomy and domination. The film uses violence to how some people use violence to impose their authority and to oppress marginalized people for economic purposes. The storyline has a chronological timeline and plot that revolve around the time of transition in China, from being a closed to being an open-market society that is vulnerable to Western and local exploitation. The timeline simplifies the presentation of the story with a clear ending, middle, and ending. Continuity editing helps the audience understand the causes and effects of violence on the Chinese society. In the film, the British use their guns to show their power over the Chinese. An example is what happened to Wong’s patient who got shot. Wong says that the patient got into the wrong ship because he got confused with the flags, so the British shot him. The low angle shot shows how Wong is in a strong moral position because he helps heal those who are victims of violence. The shot tilts to his bloodied hands, as he says: â€Å"The à ¢â‚¬ËœWesternization Movement† is now underway† (Tsui, Once Upon). The scene shows the use violence through weapons in order to show and to preserve power. Another source of violence comes from internal actors, who like the outsiders, desire to use violence to

Ask week 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ask week 3 - Essay Example In what ways can you ensure this? This can be argued to be correct because organisations should get to learn and understand foreign cultures and incorporate their customs into their operations (Warren 2011). When recruiting and hiring employees, an organization should have ethical approach towards the whole process. Explain how an organization should carryout this process in relation to its internationalisation. This is vital especially depending on whether an organization want to keep local standards and values or to create an international â€Å"universal† code. In relation to your quench to develop a leading-edge bionanotechnology-based detection system for laboratory medicine, what are some advantages of approaching the issue as group? It is apparent that working as a team could lead to new seminal findings and discoveries (Spence 1998). In what ways can various cultures influence how work is done in laboratory? For example, some aspects like the cultural aspects of consensus thinking and problem-solving, seniority of position over those of junior standing and the notions of class or castes such as socioeconomic may highly impact on decision making and problem solving (Korthals 2008). Do you think a more universal code, framework for operating or organizational guidelines can add greatly to improving your situation? If yes, state in what ways. For example, in some of your groups the notion of ‘losing one’s face’ is very important concept that is varied by type of group. Therefore, taking a more relative than absolute approach to individual interpretations could be crucial (Svensson and Wood 2008). Are there advantages of working with individuals with international experience? This is important because collaborative work may need people with vast experience on how to work as a group with people from other culture. In what ways would an

Plagiarism and Fraud Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Plagiarism and Fraud - Essay Example Occasionally these cases hit the roof and media pushes them forward. Many academic frauds are never even discovered and pose a threat to the integrity of authors and authenticity. One such case occurred of a professor in India, where he was found guilty of plagiarising above 70 papers and publishing them in his name between the years 2004 to 2007. This fraud was committed by a chemistry professor named Pattium Chiranjeevi he was teaching at Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati located in India. (Schulz, 2008) Pattium Chiranjeevi had submitted an article on the measurement of Arsenic (III) which was found identical to a published research paper by some Japanese scholars. He was also allegedly involved in charging students for awarding them their respective degrees. This fraud was exposed by Purnendu K. (Sandy) Dasgupta, who was also a chemistry tutor at the University of Texas. The discovery was done using a tool eTBlast. The discovery was initiated by a student of Dasgupta who reviewed the paper by Chiranjeevi. He informed Dasgupta about his suspicion of plagiarism on the professor’s work. Professor Dasgupta first threatened Professor Chiranjeevi about notifying his university of his misconduct. This did not receive a response from Chiranjeevi and he denied all accusation on his work. The notification letter was thus sent by Professor Dasgupta to Duvvuru Gunasekar, head of Chemistry Department of Chiranjeevi University; who did a detailed survey and probed in Chiranjeevi publications including the Arsenic (III) paper along with duplicate papers on selenium. The stakeholders in the mentioned case of plagiarism and fraud are Sri Venkateswara University, its faculty, and administrators, head of department and research journals who published his plagiarised articles and papers. This is because such crime was being committed under their noses.  

The corrupt police Essay Example for Free

The corrupt police Essay After closely reading Sonia Nazario’s 2006 Enrique’s Journey book, I can only gladly marvel at the author’s expertise in exploring the smallest facets of human nature. To illustrate, through the book, Nazario digs into the surface to demonstrate that humanity can demonstrate unparalleled hope, resilience, and determination. Such traits are evident through the actions of the book’s protagonist Enrique. On the flipside, reading the book has made me feel deep contempt with regard to the author’s depiction of some very unbecoming human qualities. For example, Nazario explains that some of the characters in the book portray behaviors that make the lives of other people very hard and even dangerous. Key among such characters are the corrupt Mexican police who thrive on bribes. Further, the bandits and the gangsters that Enrique encounters along the way do not make things easier for the young boy. Such unacceptable behavior makes me to regard humanity as upholding customs and behaviors that unnecessarily harm other people. All in all, Nazario’s Enrique’s Journey’s expert depiction of the details surrounding Enrique’s Honduras-USA voyage makes me unearth some commendable as well as unacceptable traits of human beings. To begin with, the determination that Enrique demonstrates as he charts unfamiliar and dangerous territory to find Lourdes his mother gladdens my heart due to the inherent resilience depicted. For instance, the young boy encounters many hardships both before and during the ambitious journey. It is worth noting that Enrique does to have the money to pay for his journey. He thus has to hop from the roof of one goods train to another to execute his voyage. This is a very dangerous undertaking because the boy risks being detected and deported or even making a false step that would mean his death. On top of being penniless, the boy only has the telephone address of his mother’s residence (Nazario 25). This is inadequate information to track someone in strange territory. Moreover, the boy encounters mean bandits and gangsters who add to his worries along the way. The bandits steal from immigrants like Enrique while the gangsters control the trains’ roofs the medium through which Enrique travels to America. The corrupt police who demand bribes from immigrants in exchange for safe passage to America add to Enrique’s troubles. Despite such seemingly insurmountable hardships, the boy bravely soldiers on, demonstrating unexplainable resilience and hope. Such a firm and consistent depiction of toughness that is sustained by indescribable hope makes my heart swell with pride due to the boy’s pleasant qualities. On the contrary, I am deeply perturbed by the extreme meanness and inconsiderate behavior that is demonstrated by some characters such as the bandits, the gangsters, and the police that Enrique encounters. For example, it is very irritating to learn that the police expect bribes from people who suffer like Enrique and his fellow immigrants. Such an act amounts to heartless exploitation of disenfranchised persons. Moreover, the bandits’ habit of stealing from suffering immigrants demonstrates a total lack of morals whereby humans behave like beasts. Similarly, the act of the gangsters purporting to own the roofs of the trains on which Enrique travels is very disheartening. Such unacceptable behavior, which demonstrates the dark side of human character, makes my heart bleed for the world’s suffering people of the likes of Enrique. In conclusion, reading Nazario’s Enrique’s Journey book has aroused both bitter and sweet sensations in me. For example, the police, bandits, and ganisters behavior of exploiting Enrique blots humanity’s characters, thus dampening my spirits. Conversely, Enrique’s utter resilience, courage, and hope that see him endure the heartrending journey are among humanity’s commendable characters which make me to become thrilled. Works Cited Nazario, Sonia. Enriques Journey. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2007.

Sona Of Pnoy Essay Example for Free

Sona Of Pnoy Essay This is my sixth SONA. Once again, I face Congress and our countrymen to report on the state of our nation. More than five years have passed since we put a stop to the culture of wang-wang, not only in our streets, but in society at large; since we formally took an oath to fight corruption to eradicate poverty; and since the Filipino people, our bosses, learned how to hope once more. My bosses, this is the story of our journey along the Straight Path. Just last Friday, we inaugurated the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway. This is the first Public-Private Partnership project that we approved, and the first such PPP project opened to the public under our administration. Under the previous administrations: It was as if the government had to beg the private sector just to gain their participation. Now, companies are the ones seemingly courting the government-for MCX in particular, we were paid a premium of P925 million just so that our private partner could have the privilege of building the infrastructure we need. In fact, they are so confident that this project will earn them a profit, that they said the first month of toll operations at MCX is free. We have indeed come so far. And, in order for us to appreciate just how far we have travelled, let us recall where we started. When we came into office, we found a citizenry that had grown desensitized to the many allegations of lying, cheating, and stealing in government. Those in power boasted of the country having enough classrooms. In truth: classes had to be held in four shifts. Students went to school while it was still dark, and others would go home long after the dark of night had well and truly fallen. All of them were left in the dark because they were not accorded sufficient time in the classroom for learning. Our predecessor took pride in uninterrupted growth during her last SONA. Scrutinize what she said, however, and you would realize that a significant portion of this growth was fueled by remittances from Filipinos who had lost hope in our country. As they say: People were voting with their feet. If I were to imitate that style of governance, I would be loath to claim a success borne of forcing my countrymen to escape our shores. As the 2004 elections approached, more than 700 million pesos were allegedly used to buy fertilizer that was not suitable for crops; the endeavor was costly; and in many instances, the farmers who should have received the farming supplements never saw it. We ask: Who was nourished by such fertilizers? Definitely neither the farmers nor their crops. Perhaps  you also remember the NBN-ZTE scandal. We investigated this in the Senate; someone said there was an attempt to bribe him. When we undertook an inquiry, this person did not want to testify; he claimed executive privilege. Of course, we couldnt summon the sitting President-hence, the only one we could question was her henchman accused of bribery. Naturally, he denied the accusation. During those times, even children became familiar with the word scam. You might also remember Hello Garci, to which the answer was a mere I am sorry. The genuine bank accounts of the nonexistent Jose Pidal. The attempt to convene a Constitutional Assembly, so that they could stay in power for the rest of their lives. There was Executive Order 464, which tried to stifle the truth. The declaration of a State of Emergency, in order to do away with the checks and balances for Martial Law as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. There were midnight appointments. The policy known as Calibrated Preemptive Response, which was used against protesters. Even on the level of grammar, this is wrong. How could a response come before anything else? Its like saying you replied to someone who never texted you. These were the headlines that greeted us every time we had breakfast in the years before we came into office. The moment we assumed the presidency, we began to unearth anomaly after anomaly. In my previous SONAs, I have already mentioned some of them: In the National Food Authority, they allowed the debt to bloat from P12.3 billion pesos in 2001, to P176.8 billion in June 2010. Even worse: they continued to import rice, only to have it rot in warehouses. In PAGCOR, a billion pesos went to coffee. In the MWSS: excessive bonuses, one on top of the other. For the Laguna Lake: an attempt to waste over P18 billion just to play with mud. Indeed: I could not comprehend how those behind such controversies could willingly benefit from the suffering of our countrymen. Every government official takes an oath to do right by our countrymen and to uphold the law. But it was clear: our predecessor did precisely the opposite. We were all witnesses to the most appalling example, when 58 Filipinos were massacred in Maguindanao in November 2009. To think about committing such a crime was already heinous. To do it, which they did, was even worse. The worst offense of all: Their belief that they could get away with it, because they were in power-which is why they carried out their plans in the first place. These are only a few examples; there are many others. With this kind of situation,  can we really blame our countrymen for losing sight of hope, and consequently, leaving our country? Like you, the thought of giving up had crossed my mind. When my mother died, my confidence diminished further; our familys leader and inspiration to pursue change was gone. At her wake, someone approached me and suggested that I run for the presidency. My immediate response: I am not a masochist. I was one of the people calling for an end to impunity and wrongdoing; I understood just how dire the situation was. I was also certain they had deliberately hidden details from us, and the real problems were bigger than what we knew. When you called me to serve, my question was: If I am unable to solve these problems quickly, how long will it take before my bosses lose their patience, and instead direct all their anger at me? One of those who convinced me to run was Alex Lacson. He said: To simply put an end to all the abuse would suffice. To stop the hemorrhaging would be enough. Let us listen to him: Translated transcript of Testimonial of Alex Lacson In 2008, our country was ranked by the World Bank as one of the most corrupt in the world. Our self-confidence and morale as a people was very low. At the time, many of my friends and I were looking for a good man, not just a good politician to be our president in 2010. Then, President Cory passed away, and Senator Noynoy spoke at her funeral. That is when we truly saw him. My friends encouraged me to lead the public call to urge Senator Noynoy to run for president. My friends and I went to the house of Senator Noynoy in Times Street. We brought a yellow drum and we encouraged the public to write letters. Within 24 hours there was an outpouring of public support for Senator Noynoy to run for public office. I did not expect him to be superman and solve all our problems in the country; we expected him only to begin reform. Mr. President, thank you for heeding the call of the people in 2010, and thank you, too, for respecting my beliefs, even as we disagreed on a number of issues. Mr. President, continue to lead our country on the right path. [Applause] From the start, we already knew that corruption was the root of all our peoples suffering. Thus, our battlecry: where there is no corruption, there will be no poverty. Tremendous perseverance, courage, political will, and  faith in God and in our fellowmen were needed in order to breathe life into this ideal. Of course, the masterminds of the old system were not meek lambs, willing to see the end of their opportunity to take advantage of others. They used, and continue to use, their influence and wealth to fight our agenda of change. They also used their power to prepare life preservers for when the time of judgment came. The Ombudsman who should have been appointed to guard against corruption allegedly played blind to all the scandals of the past administration. She was impeached in the House of Representatives, and resigned from her post before she could be tried in the Senate. The Chief Justice who seemed to have a bias for the one who appointed him, was proven to have hidden we alth and properties not disclosed in his SALN. He was impeached in the House and convicted in the Senate. To replace them, we appointed men and women with integrity and independent minds. The new Ombudsman: Conchita Carpio-Morales. The new Chief Justice: Ma. Lourdes Sereno. Now, she has sufficient time to implement reform in the Judiciary. [Applause] Even in other agencies, we appointed honest and fearless leaders. We immediately placed Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan in the COA. In the Executive, we likewise appointed uncompromising persons: Commissioner Kim Henares in the BIR and Secretary Leila de Lima [applause] in the Department of Justice. They did not back down from any challenge in fulfilling their mandates. To all of you, I give my heartfelt thanks. Whether in the top, middle, or bottom of the bureaucracy, so many have been suspended, removed from their positions, made accountable through cases filed against them, or even imprisoned. If there is anyone who still doubts that justice is blind in the Philippines, it would be best if they turned their attention to the three senators currently detained, or to a former president still under hospital arrest. There are some who say we should move on. Personally, I believe in what George Santayana said: Those who forget the mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat it. Just take a look at the actions of those who have wronged us. They will first work to ensure we forget what they have done. After this, they will say, Have pity on us. They already took advantage of us; now they are trying to take advantage of the Filipinos innate penchant for forgiveness, in order to escape accountability. The next step: they will find a way to return to power. Isnt that their master plan-so that they can continue to take advantage of  us? I learned from my parents, from the church, and from the processes of our laws: Whatever reconciliation must come from the confession and repentance of those who have committed wrong. Can you remember an instance in which anyone said, Im sorry I stole from you and abused you; I am ready to change? For my part: We can only move on once justice has been attained. [Applause] We continued to reform our institutions, in order to refocus them towards their true mandates. For example: Government Owned and Controlled Corporations. Appointees to GOCCs swore to safeguard our peoples money. The sad fact is, even when the GOCCs were mired in debt, they showered themselves with benefits and incentives left and right. If we liken their institutions to cattle, theyd just as soon butcher the cow for meat, even as they milk it. This is why in the past administration, dividends collected over nine and a half years only amounted to P84.18 billion. Under our administration: the number of GOCCs has already been reduced by shutting down those deemed irrelevant, and yet because of improved management: the dividends we have collected in the five years we have been in office have now reached P131.86 billion. [Applause] It isnt unlikely that, before we step down from office, we will be able to double the dividends collected by our predecessor who had much more time to accumulate these funds. [Applause] This is the same commitment we have shown in the BIR, which is the biggest revenue-generating agency of the government. When we stepped in, the highest collection on record was in 2008, at P778.6 billion. We surpassed this by leaps and bounds. In 2012, the BIR collected P1.06 trillion-the first time in our history we have breached the 1 trillion mark for collections. [Applause] Last year, the number went up to P1.3 trillion; this 2015, we will collect up to P1.5 trillion. [Applause] We only needed five years to match, surpass, and almost double our predecessors record high-and we did this without imposing new taxes, as promised, apart from Sin Tax Reform. [Applause] How did we do this? It was simple. I believe that Commissioner Kim Henares is a kind person, but those against whom she filed cases might have a different opinion. Commissioner Kim Henares spared no tax evader. [Applause] 380 cases have already been filed against those who attempted to evade taxes. She also made the system for tax payment more efficient, and made clear to everyone their civic duty to contribute to the development of our country. For the National Budget: under the previous administration, the  budget was always reenacted, whether partially or fully. In 2007, for example, it was almost April when the General Appropriations Act (GAA) was approved. It was already worrying that projects that had been completed received funding once more. Even worse: Even the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, including salaries, were included in this reenacted budget. What this means: funds were allotted again for salaries-even if all had already received what was due them for the first three months of 2007. I wonder: Where did the excess funds that were allotted and requested for go? What we have proven: if the Executive proposes a reasonable budget, the dialogue with the members of Congress will go smoothly. The faster the GAA is passed, the quicker services will reach our countrymen, and the sooner will we be able to alleviate their suffering. The message was clear: We are serious about change; the playing field is level. The result: Confidence in our economy. When we began, I did not think that we would immediately win back the global communitys confidence in the Philippines. I only thought of fixing the crooked system to prevent our people from sinking deeper into poverty. Let me ask you: Did it ever occur to you that we would continue rising in global competitiveness rankings, and that we would be recognized for the speed with which our economy has grown? In fact, the Philippines is now being called Asias Rising Tiger, Asias Rising Star, and Asias Bright Spot. [Applause] Now, for the first time in history, we are unanimously deemed investment grade by the most prominent credit rating agencies. This is a signal to businessmen that it is worthwhile to invest in the Philippines. The risks of doing business here have decreased. Now, with lower interest rates and more flexible debt payment schedules, more investors are finding it attractive to bet on the Philippines. Through the institution and expansion of businesses, commerce becomes more lively, competition strengthens, and even more opportunities are created. All this has been a direct result of reforms we made along the Straight Path. [Applause] Just look: back in 2010, net foreign direct investment i n our country was at $1.07 billion. In 2014, net foreign direct investments reached $6.2 billion. [Applause] This is the highest ever recorded in our entire history. The numbers for domestic investments are likewise impressive; now, Filipinos are betting on their fellow Filipinos. Let us compare: from the time this was first measured back in 2003 until 2010, the  amount of approved domestic investments totaled just P1.24 trillion. Under our watch, from the third quarter of 2010 until the end of 2014, the amount invested by our countrymen in the market reached P2.09 trillion. [Applause] In manufacturing: I admit, during my first year in office, one of the things furthest from my mind was the idea that we could reinvigorate this sector. The industry faced many challenges: electricity, for one, was both expensive and unreliable. It was also no small feat to establish facilities here, because of the large investment involved in buying machines and training employees. This is why, back then, we had to import even low-tech electric fans. Thanks to the reforms that have restored confidence in our nation, manufacturing growth has accelerated-from 3 percent annually between 2001 and 2009, to 8 percent from 2010 to 2014. [Applause] It is clear: The Filipino can compete. In the past, our only selling point was low wages. Now, investors are bringing to our country factories that produce hi-tech equipment: from aircraft components, electric tricycles, printers, and other digital media products, to high-quality medical devices like aortic catheters and devices for in vitro diagnostics and hemodialysis treatment. Let us listen to a businessman who will tell us of the new business climate in the Philippines: Translated transcript of Testimonial of Peter Perfecto, Makati Business Club One of the most important things this administration has accomplished was reversing the corruption trends of the previous administration. Without the rule of law, the advantage went to corporations that were complicit with the systemic bribery and a faulty tax system. President Aquino has walked the talk. He has delivered on his promises. They arrested the former president, the three senators, and ousted a Chief Justice who were all once thought to be untouchable. The strong message has been sent. Because of the rule of law and the commitment to good governance this administration has made, our foreign direct investments rose from P2 billion to P6.2 billion. We have made a huge leap forward: jumping 33 places in the rankings set by the world Economic Forum; and according to them, this is a result of this administrations anti-corruption agenda-all because of the changes that this government has enacted. It is the responsibility of each Filipino to learn from these recent achievements and ensure that we continue moving forward with the coming administration. [Applause] We all know that the primary measure of economic improvement for the common Filipino is the creation of jobs. Let us look at what weve achieved in this area. Every year, around 80,000 new entrants join our labor force. Now, consider the fact that there are reports of overseas Filipinos returning home. In 2011, our Department of Foreign Affairs reported that there were around 9.51 million overseas Filipinos. Based on the latest estimates in December 2014, that number went down to 9.07 million. It is reasonable to say that a good number of the estimated 400,000 Filipinos represented by that decrease came home and were able to find work. [Applause] Despite the fact that there are new entrants, returnees, and previously unemployed Filipinos, our unemployment rate still dropped to 6.8 percent last year. This is the lowest recorded in a decade. [Applause] Let me be clear: We created permanent jobs; we did not hire an abundance of street sweepers during the period the labor survey was condu cted, just to boost results. Together with creating real jobs, we are also fostering a good relationship between labor and management throughout the country. Let us compare. In the nine and a half years of the previous administration, the number of strikes that occurred were 199, or roughly 21 strikes for each year. In our five years in office, the total strikes were only 15. [Applause] In fact, in 2013, there was only a single strike recorded in the country. This is the lowest recorded in the history of DOLE. [Applause] It is because of this that we are truly impressed with Secretary Linda Baldoz and our labor and management sector. [Applause] To Sec. Linda: you are not only efficient; you are also very positive which makes you the type of colleague who is a pleasure to work with. That is why you are considered the Pastor of the Cabinet. Thank you, very much, for all your efforts, Linda. [Applause] The transformation has indeed been vast. Before, the signs we would always see proclaimed, No Vacancy, didnt they? Today, announcements that say, For Immediate Hiring are scattered everywhere; you need only open a newspaper to see classified ads from many companies who are hiring. Some of them have even been getting creative with incentives. Theres this one company that says: just come in for an interview and your breakfast is on them. Once youre hired, theyll cover your treat to friends and family to celebrate your new job. Some businessmen have even mentioned to me that they are  finding it difficult to hire accountants. I remember when I was younger, a lot of people were taking up BS Commerce, Major in Accountancy. When I visited Bicol University, I mentioned this to their president. I had to ask: Am I correct in the knowledge that your university has an accountancy program? Their reply: Yes, but even we are having trouble filling our accounting department. Why? Their president said that their students, even in their t hird year of college, are already being recruited by accounting and auditing firms. [Applause] This is happening precisely because we have worked to address what is called the job-skills mismatch. In the past, so many of our countrymen were saying that they had no jobs, even when there were so many unfilled positions listed in the PhilJob-Net website. The simple reason: the skillset of our countrymen did not match what the market needed. The solution to this was also simple: Talk to prospective employers and ask them what skills are demanded by the positions they are opening. Now, it is in these skills that we train Filipinos, so that they can maximize opportunities. The principle behind our strategy of governance: instead of giving our countrymen fish, we will teach them how to fish. We are ensuring that the progress we have made and the opportunities that have been created can be maximized by our fellowmen. We cannot wait for the benefits of growth to trickle down to the poorest Filipinos; we cannot leave it to chance, or hope for the best. Our commitment: Inclusive growth. The agenda: assistance, knowledge, skills training, and health, to ensure that no one is left behind. One of our mechanisms: the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. We have vastly expanded the scope of this program. Now, more than 4.4 million households are feeling the benefits of this program. [Applause] This is extremely far from the 786,523 households covered by the program when we entered office. This year, 333,673 graduated from high school; they are part of the first batch of beneficiaries under the expanded Pantawid Pamilya. 13,469 of these youth graduated with honors and a variety of awards. [Applause] In fact, the two beneficiaries I met were accepted into Civil Engineering, a quota course in the University of the Philippines. All of these beneficiaries will gain important knowledge; instead of entering menial jobs once they graduate, it is almost certain that they will find jobs that will pay them a decent salary. Their income tax alone will repay the states investment, and we will be able to continue the cycle of  empowering those in need. The brighter future that awaits the honor students the program assisted is just an added bonus. Let us listen to one of those assisted by Pantawid Pamilya. Translated transcript of Testimonial of Alyannah, CCT beneficiary I work much harder now. I knew the trials my family faced because of poverty. When we were enrolled in the Conditional Cash Transfer program, I saw that people wanted to help us. I knew they wanted nothing in return-but, for me, the only way I could repay their kindness was through my studies. The money we get from the government was never wasted. We were able to finance all of my school expenses. I was so happy when I got into my dream school, the University of the Philippines. The CCT program gave me a chance to get a good education, which helped me finish high school; and now Im on my way to college. I know this program is on the receiving end of a lot of criticism, but I want to tell President Benigno Aquino that they need only to look at me-at us. We are proof that the money set aside by the government for this program is not a dole-out. The money goes towards a worthy pursuit, which I know one day will help uplif t the entire country. [Applause] Under Pantawid Pamilya, in exchange for assistance, the primary focus of beneficiaries must be the education of their children. This has already borne early fruit: according to studies conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, in 2008, there were 2.9 million out-of-school children in the country. The years passed and our population grew, but in 2013, only 1.2 million out-of-school children remained. Let me emphasize the difference: 1.7 million. [Applause] Its as if we filled around 42,500 empty classrooms with students. Of course, apart from the Pantawid Pamilya, the Alternative Learning System also helped to ensure that even indigenous peoples and street children are not left behind. And yet, there are still some who ask: Where are the results of Pantawid Pamilya? Our answer: Oh come on. They seem to think that Pantawid Pamilya is like a magic tablet that, once taken by a child in kindergarten, turns that child into a college graduate after only a few hours. [La ughter and applause] Perhaps, they did not have enough time to study during their time; let us help them count: K to 12 lasts 13 years, while my term only lasts for six. Now we see  whos trying to deceive us. There are even some who had the guts to raise an outcry and shout: There are leakages in Pantawid Pamilya. Then we discovered they used data from 2009, just to have something to criticize. Let me remind them: I became President halfway through 2010; perhaps you should be asking another president to explain the alleged leakage. [Applause] I guarantee that, when the time comes that the beneficiaries of this program are contributing to the economy, those who are criticizing it today will be falling over themselves to proclaim that they are the father or mother of the expanded Pantawid Pamilya. Now, in the sector of education: we are making sure that the deficits of the past are erased and the needs of the present are addressed, even as we prepare for the future. In just our first two years in office, we were able to close the backlogs we inherited of 61.7 million textbooks and 2.5 million school chairs. In 2013, the backlog of 66,800 classrooms was finally eliminated and the backlog of 145,827 teachers was likewise addressed, with the help of our LGU partners. [Applause] According to the estimates of DepEd, from 2010 up to 2017, the total amount of new students: 4.7 million. This is because of the increase of enrollees and the implementation of the K to 12 program. In order to meet this vast increase, we need to add an estimated 118,000 classrooms to what we already have. 33,608 of these have already been constructed. This year, we are slated to construct more than 41,000 more. Funds for the remaining 43,000 classrooms have already been included in the proposed 2016 budget that we will pass tomorrow, which we hope you will approve. [Applause] The number of teachers we will need are estimated at 130,000. In 2014, we have already hired 29,444. This year, the total number of teachers we target to hire: 39,000. The remaining 60,000 positions will be covered in the proposed 2016 budget, which we hope you will approve as well. [Applause] According to Bro. Armin, the sum total of the classrooms our administration has constructed and the teachers we have hired exceeds the cumulative total of classrooms built and teachers hired in the past twenty years before we came into office. We have already turned over 73.9 million textbooks that will be followed by an addition 88.7 million this year. In 2015 as well, 1.6 million school seats were delivered to schools, and we will add another 1.6 million before the en d of the year. After eliminating the existing backlog in classrooms, we constructed or continue to construct 33,621 classrooms, while  allotting funds for the construction of 41,728 more. For teachers: 39,000 are already being hired by DepEd for this school year alone. Tomorrow, we will submit the budget for 2016; included in it are funds for an additional 103.2 million textbooks, 4.4 million school seats, 43,000 classrooms, and 60,000 new teaching positions. Everyone can see: we will not leave further sources of headaches for those who will succeed us. [Applause] Let me be clear: We implemented K to 12 because it is not practical to cram learning in a 10-year basic education cycle. May I remind you, that we are one of the three countries left in the world with a 10-year basic education cycle. The credentials of our countrymen working overseas are already being questioned; there are also some who have been demoted because our diplomas are supposedly not proof of sufficient knowledge. If the past educational system can be likened to a mango induced to ripen under artificial circumstances; now, we are ensuring that the abilities of our students are fully developed, so that they can take hold of their futures. Let us listen to a story that is proof of this: Translated transcript of Testimonial of Rezia Joy Jianoran My father has been a jeepney driver all my life. When I was in my second year of high school, my mom suffered a stroke. I didnt ask, but I knew that they couldnt afford to send me to college. Instead of dropping out of school, I decided to continue my studies under the K to 12 program. My chosen track of specialization was the Drafting Technology course. Part of the K to 12 program is the career immersion. I was assigned to CLP Metal, a metal fabrication company. I was tasked to design machines. This machine was designed to de-hair pigs. Once a pig is processed, after several seconds, it comes out without any hair. A machine like this can only be bought abroad. Because of the design by CLP, were able to adjust to the budget restrictions of our customers. Im extremely proud because when you think about it: how many 19-year olds can say they have designed a machine? Im proud that Im a K to 12 graduate because I can now support my family. And Im learning while Im earning. [Applause] Should these graduates choose to go into tech-voc, the programs we enhanced are already waiting for them. 7.8 million have already graduated from the  different courses of the Technical Vocational Education and Training overseen by TESDA. Under the Training for Work Scholarship Program alone, the number of graduates have already reached 821,962. Perhaps you are wondering: what is their situation today? According to studies, 71.9 percent of graduates were able to find employment right away, compared to the 28.5 percent recorded before. There are even some industries breaking records: for example, the employment rate for the entire semiconductors and electronics industry has already reached 91.26 percent-just a little more, and well be at 100 percent. [Applause] Secretary Joel Villanueva told us before of an OFW forced to return home; she thought there was no hope to improve her lot in life. Then, she studied hilot wellness massage in TESDA; now, her spa already has 4 branches. In my last SONA, I also told you of a PWD who was once a barker; he is now an escalation supervisor in a BPO. [Applause] A success story from the Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources Program, or STAR: there was a sari-sari store owner who used to earn 800 pesos a day; now, her daily earnings have reached 4,000 pesos. If you sum everything up, her earnings are more or less equivalent to my salary, even if we do not experience the same type of stress. [Laughter] How did this happen? She was trained in bookkeeping, inventory management, accounting, and other disciplines. Whats extremely impressive: the STAR program even teaches students how to ensure that their profits are maximized. Let us listen to one of those who benefited from TESDAs program: Translated transcript of Testimonial of Ma. Theresa Tomaro, TESDA Star Program trainee My husband and I were both unemployed when we started training with the STAR program. We were taught how to manage and grow a business. When we started our sari-sari store, it was made out of bamboo. Now, its walls are made of concrete. This not only helps us, but also our children. We are able to give them good lives. Ive been able to sell a lot of things. My income has doubled since then. Id like to thank Secretary Joel Villanueva because of their program, I was able to have the opportunity to show my ability to run my own business. [Applause] Now, on the sector of health. To many Filipinos, falling ill poses a serious challenge to the fulfillment of their dreams. Families climbing the ladder of progress, return back to zero once they are struck by illness. Not only  are their savings emptied, they also fall deep into debt. When we came into office, only 47 million Filipinos were beneficiaries of PhilHealth. We have almost doubled this number: just this past June, PhilHealth coverage has reached 89.4 million Filipinos. [Applause] The transformation we wrought: Before, during elections, new PhilHealth beneficiaries seemed to sprout up like mushrooms. Instead of the basis for membership being the interest of Filipinos, it became manipulated to serve the electoral candidates interest. Now, we have corrected that system. There is more good news in the sector of health. In 2012, we announced: If your family is part of the lowest quintile, or the poorest 20 percent of our population, and you are seeking treatment in public hospitals, then we guarantee that you will not have to pay a single centavo. Beginning in 2014, this has expanded to cover the next quintile of our society. This means that for the poorest 40 percent of the population, treatment in public hospitals is free. This is the care that some have called inefficient and uncaring. The only thing I have to say to them, as Aiza Seguerra said back in the day: I thank you, bow. [Applause] Now, let us hear some of the results of the improved PhilHealth program: Translated transcript of Testimonial of Danilo Espiritu, PhilHealth beneficiary I was diagnosed with quadruple clogs in the coronary area. We didnt know how we could afford the operation. The first hospital we went to said the operation would cost 300,000 pesos. At [the Philippine General Hospital], it would cost 700,000 pesos. At UST hospital, they said it was 800,000 pesos. But when one of the doctors learned that my wife was covered by PhilHealth, he said our case qualified under the Z-Package, and we could push through with the operation. We just stood up then and went to fix the paperwork, and I was provided the opportunity to extend my life. The service I got at the hospital was comparable to that received by a private hospital patient. I wasnt considered a charity case. I was a full-fledged paying patient, and PhilHealth paid for my operation. To be honest, I didnt pay for anything. The little money that we did save, we were able to use for the post-operation expenses. Im thankful for PhilHealth and our government for implementing these kinds of projects, which genuinely help people in need. ____________________ Translated transcript of Testimonial of Governor Lilia Pineda Sin Tax should have been implemented earlier; its the answer to our goal of providing universal healthcare. It was a big help to the province of Pampanga: in the past, the Capitol spent over 400 million pesos a year in health aid. But when the Sin Tax Law was implemented, those who needed healthcare were covered by PhilHealth. We are truly grateful to President Aquino because the project provided a huge relief for Pampanga. The money saved was used to fund other important projects. The proceeds of the Sin Tax also went towards the construction of a birthing station, hospital renovations, and the construction of health centers. Were so thankful to the President for caring for the poor who suffer sickness. [Applause] Let us again return to the story of the past five years. We went after the corrupt and we cleaned the systems, which redounded to confidence in our markets. Businesses came into the country, opportunities expanded, all while we empowered Filipinos to gain decent employment. They patronized these businesses, which, having recognized that the playing field is level, know they can profit without having to resort to illegal activities. They then expand their operations, and employ even more people. This is a cycle: justice, trust, economic growth, the creation of opportunities, progress. Boss, this is the very spirit of, Where there is no corruption, there is no poverty. [Applause] And we did not just achieve change. The transformation we are experiencing today has already exceeded the expectations we had in the beginning. The Cadastral Survey, which was started in 1913, has been completed by us. It took almost a century for those who came before us to complete 46 percent of this survey. The more than half left to be done, we finished in just five years in government. This Cadastral Survey identifies the boundaries of the land covered by each city, municipality, and province in the Philippines. In ARMM, for example, it was as if the land gave birth to more land: according to the maps, there are only 1.2 million hectares belonging to the region, but if we were to add up all the lands being claimed, they would reach a total of 3.7 million hectares. Now, because we have fixed the land record system through the Cadastral Survey, no new land will be birthed in ARMM. In 2011, we conducted an inventory of sitios, and we identified those that were still without electricity. Through the Sitio  Electrification Program, we were able to bring light to 25,257 communities identified through this inventory. On top of this, because of the use of solar energy and other technology, even far-flung and isolated areas that would be difficult to connect to the grid already have electricity. Now, around 93 percent of sitios in the Philippines have already been energized; the DOE has guaranteed that, before we step down from office, all the rest of the sitios from the 2011 tally will have electricity. [Applause] Now, let us watch a farmer who has benefited from our Sitio Electrification Program. Translated transcript It was difficult when we didnt have electricity; you just had to bear with it. We could only power our homes with fuel sources. We first got electricity this July, and we were so happy when switched on the lights here at home for the very first time. We can now watch movie tapes or listen to good music. The children are now able to study at night. Im even able to work at night because now I can charge my spotlight during the day, and because Im more productive, I earn more. Our lives have changed for the better now that we finally have access to electricity. Were able to be more efficient-an example would be our weaving. With sewing machines, we can create more beautiful designs, which we can sell at a better price. Food processing needs equipment, which runs on electricity. Students can use the Internet for research. Electricity has brought good things to Bauko. Congratulations to our President for making Bauko a better place to live in. [Applause] In the sector of aviation, there has also been a steady stream of good news: in 2013, the International Civil Aviation Organization lifted the significant safety concerns it had imposed on our country back in 2009. In the same year, the European Union allowed our flag carrier to resume its flights to Europe. The following year saw another local carrier receiving approval from the European Union, while the US Federal Aviation Administration upgraded us to Category 1, from the Category 2 downgrade we had received in 2008. Because of these developments, incoming and outgoing flights are increasing, and it is also becoming easier for tourists to fly around the Philippines. Even better news: just this June, the EU Air Safety  Committee removed its ban on all our air carriers-the first time that it has lifted its ban on the entire civil aviation sector of a country. Now, all our airlines will be able to fly directly to the United Kingdom, Italy, and other countries part of the EU. In seafaring: in 2006, the European Maritime Safety Agency or EMSA was already questioning our compliance to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. Because of this, there was a threat that the EU would no longer recognize our maritime education certificates. If we did not act, there would have been the chance that an estimated 80,000 Filipino seafarers working on European boats would be out of jobs. MARINA and the DOTC went to work quickly in order to match our maritime education certificates to global standards. To this day, the EU continues to recognize our certifications. Come EMSAs next audit, which will begin in October, MARINA guarantees: We will definitely pass. [Applause] To Sec. Jun Abaya: May you not waver in your resolve, even when it seems that some have forgotten all that you have done for our sailors, ICAOs lifting of the significant safety concerns it had imposed on our sector, the European Unions lifting of the ban on our airplanes, and the Federal Aviation [Administration] upgrading us to Category 1. It was also you who banned boats from setting out to see during typhoons, which helped to keep passengers away from danger. It is now rare for us to receive news about ships sinking during typhoons. All of these achievements have seemingly been cast aside, because of the complicated challenges in the public transport sector. The biggest example of this is the MRT. Few mention that we have partners from the private sector in this endeavor, who remember their entitlements, but seem to have forgotten their obligations. This partner of ours is supposed to be in charge of maintenance. In 2008, there should have been a general overhaul of the MRT, but upon DOTCs inspection, only token cosmetic changes were undertaken. This lack of care practically guaranteed the breakdown of our trains. Is it not in the interest of all companies to make sure that they get their moneys worth from their investment? Yet, they allowed the situation to deteriorate, to the point where, at very short notice, they just passed the job of improving the MRT onto us. When we made moves to undertake improvements, suddenly, they wanted to take back the responsibility of maintenance. However, their proposal was significantly more expensive than  hours. This would, of course, translate to added expense and aggravation for our people. We did not agree to this, and began the process of obtaining new train coaches. But because the MRTC was adamant, they were able to obtain a TRO on the procurement. That is why the MRT situation has come to this. Sec. Jun: You, I, and the entire population of Metro Manila are not pleased with what is happening. The private sector relegated their responsibility to us; when we made moves to provide a solution, they blocked us. It is clear that our agenda and that of the MRTC will never meet. Now, we are taking steps to buy out the corporation. Once this is fixed, the state will be the sole decisionmaker. While we are undertaking this process, we are already implementing immediate maintenance work. Bigger, more long-term solutions are also set to arrive. Next month, we can expect the delivery of the prototype for new coaches; once this passes scrutiny, beginning in January, three coaches will be delivered every month until our order of 48 coaches has been completed. The process to obtain new rails is underway, together with the upgrading of the signaling and automatic fare collecting systems; all this, we expect to be completed before we step down from office. The power supply of our trains will be upgraded before the end of 2016. There are 12 escalators that will be fixed before the end of the year, while the procurement for the rehabilitation of 34 more escalators and 32 elevators is ongoing. Let me remind everyone: When it comes to these matters, we cannot take shortcuts in the processes; we do not want our measures to be hampered by lawsuits left and right. There are some who say that I wear blinders, when it comes to those who have long been my companions on the Straight Path. Me? I see the good things, but I also see the bad. Am I the one with blinders? Or is it those who insist on seeing only the bad things? On our Armed Forces: Back in November 2010, tensions arose once more between North and South Korea; there were fears that war would break out in the peninsula. We needed a plan to evacuate the 46,000 Filipinos in South Korea, as well as the eight Filipinos in North Korea. When I asked the AFP about the assets we could use in an evacuation, they said that the Air Force has a lone C-130. The shortest duration for a round trip? 10 hours. The capacity: around 100 people. I made some calculations: We needed to move 46,000 Filipinos away from conflict, which meant that, under the most ideal conditions, we would need 460 round trips, which would take 4,600 hours each. This is equivalent  to 200 days of travel. No one can count on an old C-130 to cope with such heavy usage. If we deployed ships, each could carry 1,000 people at a time, but we would be lucky if each round trip could be completed within 10 days. Should further conflict break out, there was the chance that the entire situation would have been over by the time we evacuated of our people. We took immediate action to address these limitations. Now, from one functional C-130, we now have three at our disposal, and we are planning to acquire two more. There are others to accompany them: The first of three C-295 medium lift transports has arrived, with the other two arriving within the year. We also expect the delivery of two more light lift transports before the end of 2015. [Applause] If we ever encounter another spate of problems like what happened in 2013, we are going to need more assets. When Yolanda struck, our docks were destroyed, and our ability to deliver aid was hampered. In s uch situations, landing craft utilities are invaluable because of their ability to dock on any shore. Now, we have increased the number of our landing craft utilities from four to ten. There is the BRP Tagbanua. By next week, two Landing Craft Heavy will arrive from Australia; the turnover of these vessels was very generous: they even came with spare parts and generators. We plan on buying three more; once all the paperwork has been put in order, the processes to procure them will begin. These vessels will reduce our dependence on the kindness of other nations; we will be able to accelerate delivery to different parts of the Philippines, and more promptly send aid, supplies, and other heavy equipment such as bulldozers, which are needed for clearing and relief operations. [Applause] To better watch over our territory, we have also acquired 12 FA-50 fighters to replace our F5 fighter jets that were retired in 2005. The first two units will arrive in December, and the rest of the deliveries will be completed by 2017. We have also acquired war ships such as the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the Ramon Alcaraz, seven of 13 AW-109 helicopters, six of eight Bell-412 helicopters, 617 troop carrier trucks, and 50,629 assault rifles. Our target is to obtain two more frigates, six Close Air Support Aircrafts, 142 armored personnel carriers, and other new items such as 49,135 units of force protection equipment, 2,884 grenade launchers, and an additional 23,622 assault rifles. [Applause] In total, we have completed 56 projects for modernization, and I have approved 30 more. Compare this to the 45 projects completed by the three  administrations that came before us combined. Let us listen to one of our servicemen from the Air Force: Translated transcript of Testimonial of Jun Perry, member of the Philippine Air Force For the record, Sir, our Air Force now has actual force. There was a joke or stigma back then that the Air Force was all air and no force. Ive only recently joined the Philippine Air Force, but I spent four years in the Philippine Military Academy, where we learned of the value of air power and air defense. During those four years, we found that the Philippine Air Force was losing its strength. But luckily the long wait is over. In December of 2012, President Aquino signed RA 10349. Now, the Philippine Air Force is receiving adequate advancement. It boosts morale. Ive heard confirmation from our Army classmates themselves. One of them even said: Mistah, when I heard the sound of the chopper taking flight, I was so inspired. This is a dream that has slowly, but surely turned into a reality. [Applause] As for our police, for the first time in our history, each of our policemen has his or her own firearm. Furthermore, to improve the capacity of our police force to shoot, scoot, and communicate, we have distributed 302 patrol jeeps, which are only part of the 2,523 that we have procured. We have also distributed 179 of 577 new utility vehicles, as well as 12,399 handheld radios. We are likewise procuring 30,136 long firearms, 3,328 investigative kits, and another 16,867 radios. Let us listen to some of our policemen, who talk about how these efforts have helped them in their work: Translated transcript of Testimonial of Melvin Velasquez When I entered the police service in 2003, I was issued a .38 revolver. Sometimes some of the criminals we encountered were equipped with high-powered weapons. The .38 revolver paled in comparison to the ones used by criminals. In fact, I had to buy my own gun. It is difficult for us law enforcers when we encounter situations where we really have to risk our lives. It was a big change when all policemen were finally given their own guns. We know that we can depend on the firearms issued by the government to us. Those of us in the service dream of owning our own house and lot; it was only during this administration that such a dream was realized. As a  low-ranking law enforcer, I really feel the reforms instituted by our President-one of which is the value accorded to the national police. The only way we can possibly repay all these good things is by fulfilling our duties in the correct and right way-even if it means sacrificing my life.

Accountable Professional Practitioner

Accountable Professional Practitioner Advanced Profession Practice This essay will address the issue of becoming an accountable professional practitioner. I will discuss the issues around accountable professional practice as I see them and explore what these mean for my nursing practice, I will then conclude with the main points I have raised and implications for my future practice. Just what is an Accountable Professional Practitioner? Perhaps it would be best to examine what accountability means within the healthcare setting. The NMC Code (2008) states that â€Å"you are personally accountable for actions and omissions in your practice and must always be able to justify your decisions.† Although this definition is useful it lacks a certain clarity of by what is meant by the term accountability as it gives a general overview without being specific, Savage and Moore (2004) go on to argue this that lack of clarity can lead to indistinctive views that confuse those working in the health care field and it is this lack of precision that can lead to nurses professional conduct being called into question (NMC 2002). Perhaps for the professional practitioner what is useful is to examine what makes you accountable rather than what is accountable, by this I mean how you become an accountable professional practioner, what are the prerequisites required for this. One could argue that perhaps this all begins with critical thinking and reflection, Brittner and Gravlin (2009) argue that critical thinking is essential in todays nursing practice and can assist in making essential choices about patient care and clinical emergencies (St.Cyr All 2009, Toofany 2008, Cirocco 2007). Being a recently qualified nurse this isnt always an easy task to do, because I often lack the skills and knowledge that would allow me to make complex decisions, this is not unusual though as St.Cyr All (2009) highlighted that newly qualified nurses can lack some critical thinking skills for patient care, a useful tool that I have discovered that can enable me to develop my critical thinking abilities are mind maps, as these can increase my knowledge and understanding of a situation by linking concepts, themes and ideas (Toofany 2008) and can assist me in discovering a deeper understanding of the issues and indentify learning needs and positive behaviours to aid my development (St.Cyr and All 2009). To this end I do use mind maps as a way of linking theory and knowledge to gain a better overview of the patient or the clinical situation, it highlights my gaps in knowledge or indeed raises my awareness of what I already know. To move this a stage further by then applying these critical thinking skills to reflection I can begin to critically reflect on my practice. By becoming a critical reflector I am aiding my self-awareness (Horton-Deutsch Sherwood 2008) and developing a deeper understanding of the issues relating to patient care, my own actions and the reasons I choose them (Cirocco 2007, Redmond 2004) challenging my own actions (Forneris Peden-McAlpine 2009) and highlighting any learning needs I may wish to follow up on to aid my development as an accountable practioner by linking theory into practice (Rolfe Gardner 2006, Rolfe et al 2001). The best example of this I can give to date was when I was involved in a clinical emergency with a patient just after a couple of months of qualification, who despite every attempt made died very suddenly, I was left with lots of confusion, anger and upset over the incident and more importantly with the question of could I have done more? Through a process of critical reflection both written then verbally with my mentor I realised that we could have done nothing more, that I acted in a very professional manner throughout the incident and afterwards with the support I offered the family and colleagues, but I needed to go through that process in order to make sense of the situation and highlight possible learning objectives for me including developing coping strategies that would enable me to cope with a sudden death. When a situation very similar occurred again a few months ago I was able to take a more active role and recover from it much quicker knowing I did all that I could to hel p the patient and supporting the family and some colleagues after the incident. Benner (1984) states that this type of actions are that of an advanced beginner working towards becoming a competent nurse whereby by being involved in similar experiences I was able to make sense of a meaningful situation. By beginning to recognise patterns of behaviours and events I am beginning to develop my expertise through increasing my experiential learning knowledge (Benner 1984, Rolfe et al 2001). It is by making meaningful sense of these experiences though a process of critical reflection that have aided and will continue to improve my decision-making skills and self-awareness (Horton-Deutsch Sherwood 2008, Avis Freshwater 2006). It also empowers me to continue to participate in continuing education maintaining and developing professional competences (Griffitts 2002) by identifying learning needs through gaps in my knowledge. In becoming an accountable professional practioner this process of reflection can be a quality standard whereby I take responsibility for my own performance and deliver best quality care (Johns 2004). This links into clinical governance whereby I have to ensure I am prepared to accept accountability and consequences for any decision-making judgements that comes with any new role development (Cronin Rawlings-Anderson 2004). Through the system of clinical governance I can monitor through self-evaluation and feedback the quality of care and service I offer to my patients, families and colleagues ensuring that it is both effective and safe (NHS QIS 2005, Pickering Thompson 2004). There is also the issue of autonomy and accountability. This for me has been to date the biggest struggle in becoming an accountable professional, autonomy can be demonstrated through patient care by using the processes of critical thinking, reflection and your existing knowledge base (Keys 2009) however this can become frustrating when you take on autonomous responsibility but are limited by circumstances and sometimes colleagues to utilise your training and experience (Laperriere 2008). As a mature student who came into nursing as a second career I find myself often perturbed by colleagues who often quote that I am a newly qualified member of staff and it will take time to develop skills especially around issues of patient and family communication without knowing my background. It has be shown that newly qualified mature nurses can use previous life experiences to aid in a problem solving approach (Stuttard 2008) and as many of the skills I have developed over the years are transfe rrable, I would argue that by having these transferrable skills I can offer a wider range of skills and flexibility to my nursing experiences (Shirey 2009) that can aid my self-awareness and autonomy (Postler-Slattery Foley 2003). One of my ways of coping with these frustrations is to develop resilience. By becoming resilient to the negativity or challenges I receive I am able to motivate myself, Roth et al (2007) show that motivation within an autonomous concept and the actual experience of autonomy are essential for self-development and well-being, by using this autonomous motivation I can use it to aid my self-awareness of critical thinking and reflection (Leipold Greve 2009). This is a view supported by Darbyshire Fleming (2007) who state that those who practise autonomy are encouraged to be critical thinkers and self-directed in their learning. Of course within the concept of autonomy comes the acceptance of being responsible and being aware of your own limitations, at all times autonomous practice must be practiced safely with the care of the patients at the forefront it is not a weakness to say I cannot do this or participate in a skill that I know very little about (Richards Edwards 2003) it instead highlights how much I value patient care and respect for those I work with . Autonomy means ownership (Lyon 1990) and by claiming ownership of my practice it could be argued I increase patient safety and increase the quality of care I give my patients (Weston 2008) as well as developing my critical thinking, knowledge and accountability (Atkins 2006). With the above in mind I find myself asking the question of what else can support me in developing into an accountable professional practitioner? Certainly the processes of reflection and critical thinking can help but what I personally find of great use is to utilise the support systems I have around me, I certainly acknowledge how fortunate I am with having the amount of support systems in place to support me compared with some of my fellow colleagues as a result of the Early Clinical Career Fellowship. Currently I have three main formal systems in place a mentor, clinical coach and participation in action learning sets, these systems although very different from each other all have one thing in common and that is to aid my development, in addition to these systems I also have the informal support of my peers and management. My mentor can assist me in adapting to my new environment and offer the support from their own experiences to enable my learning, they are motivated to support and encourage me (Wagner Seymour 2007) to develop and try out new skills with support until I am confident enough to undertake these on my own, in addition to this they provide me with feedback on my progress and can suggest alternatives ways of working, they act as my role model and teacher (Morton-Cooper Palmer 2000). They can also provide me with a safe place to take sensitive issues and challenge my views (May 2003) Participation in action learning sets allows me to be supported and challenged by a group of my peers, it allows me to critically reflect and explore issues to a deeper level to aid my understanding and development and apply any new knowledge I have learned to practice, it can increase my motivation to learn and encourage my critical thinking into linking theory into practice. (Haan Ridder 2006, Rayner et al 2002) In addition to the above I also have my clinical coach. This is a very experienced nurse who can support, mentor, guide and coach me. She provides a higher degree of challenging to my practice encouraging my critical thinking and reflective skills and as she is detached from my clinical area is able to offer observations and questioning of my actions from a neutral perspective (Titchen 2003, Wright Titchen 2003). This all encourages and challenges me into becoming an accountable professional practitioner. In conclusion this essay has raised several points about leads you to become accountable rather than what is accountable. It is a complex dynamic composing of not one element but several that all interconnect almost as if it were a jigsaw puzzle. No one element is more important that the other as they are all necessary to help me in my development as an accountable professional practitioner. As my knowledge, understanding and experiences as a nurse increases so too will my accountability, this in itself will provide new challenges as I prepare myself for these new responsibilities and self-development What is clear for me and has been highlighted as a result of undertaking the essay is how my practice of an accountable professional practitioner can be used as a quality standard of care and measuring tool to ensure that my practice is safe and effective for all of those I work with and as ORourke (2006) states that this standard of care can only be improved on based on my understandin g of roles, autonomy and accountability and that can only be understood once I develop my critical thinking, reflective skills and using my support systems that have been put in place for me. I believe that throughout my career as a nurse even as I work towards becoming an expert nurse (Benner 1984), I will always be working towards becoming an Accountable Professional Practitioner as I will always be critically reflective, learning new skills, developing my autonomous practice and requiring support so to that end I dont think I will ever be a fully accountable professional practitioner but I am accountable for the skills, knowledge and responsibility and level I am at. This brings a strange feeling of comfort rather than fear as I believe this will ensure nursing continues to evolve and develop and I will be there in the midst of it all.

The Psychometric Test and the Employee Selection Process Essay examples

The Psychometric Test and the Employee Selection Process Most employers want the ‘perfect fit’ for any position vacant for recruitment. They always tend to want the best man suitable for the job, technically and interpersonally. The common ways of recruiting an employee is by application forms, curriculum vitae, and interviewing sessions. Most candidates are polite at interviews just to put across a good impression to the interviewer. Just interviewing someone is not enough to know if you have the right person for the job. Ability can be relatively easy to assess through interviewing and skills testing. Testing interpersonal skills is another issue. To reduce the risk of hiring the wrong person, the use of psychometric testing has been adopted by more and more organisations to increase the validity and reliability of the recruitment process. Psychometrics is the application of the objective, scientific measurement and mathematics to psychology. It refers top the testing of cognitive of mental functions and personality and the analysis of result. The psychometric test covers a lot of tests used to assess a characters strength or weakness providing accurate profiles of the suitability for a position. â€Å"Psychometric† means measurement of the mind. The Psychometric test is a way of assessing an individual’s ability or personality in a measured and structured way. Also, a psychometric test could be said to be any standardized procedure for measuring sensitivity or memory, or intelligence or aptitude as well as personality. Psychometric tests are one measure by which an employer can discriminate against individuals in the selection process. The tests are often presented in a multiple guess form, either paper or electronically based. There are two types of the psychometric test. They include: . Aptitude/Skills Test- This depends on the nature of the job that has been applied for. This type of test could be numerical or verbal reasoning, spatial awareness or diagrammatic reasoning. They are often time constrained. . Personal Questionnaire- this type of test is used to access the certain personal qualities required of the candidate. Psychometric testing does have real value to add to the selection process. However, it is not limited to the recruitment phase. Many organisations have seen the benefit of psychometri... ...ers for the questions. . As the assessment is not a 100% accurate, there may be little or no correlation between the candidate’s answers and the way he carries out the job. In conclusion, Psychometric test is versatile and can be used as an aid for personnel selection and recruitment, career guidance, career development, team building and personal development. Psychometric test is used by a vast number of large and small companies who appreciate its cost effectiveness when compared to the hard soft and human cost of selection errors. Psychometric tests, although a useful selection tool to implement, have many flaws and in order to be valid must be carried out in a strict and controlled manner in order for an organisation to make the right choice when seeking to recruit an individual into an organisational role. Research now shows that, in comparison with selection by normal interviewing techniques, the use of supporting psychometric testing can significantly improve the match between the individuals and the job. The growing use of psychometric testing in selection and assessment has to some extent outpaced the level of sophistication and knowledge.

Lady Macbeth is the True villain :: Macbeth essays

Lady Macbeth is the True villain In the Shakespearian play 'Macbeth', it seems to be that every one thinks that Macbeth is the villain. But in actual fact Lady Macbeth is the villain. Lady Macbeth uses her cunning and deceptive skills to over power Macbeth into killing King Duncan. When Lady Macbeth receives the letter telling her about the witches' prophecies, she immediately thinks that she and Macbeth will have to kill King Duncan. She calls Macbeth to kind to kill King Duncan and saying that "Is to ful o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way" Lady Macbeth- Act 1 scene V. Lady Macbeth knows that King Duncan must be killed for Macbeth to become king, lady Macbeth fells to feminine to be implicated in this genocide so she goes and asks the gods to fill her with ruthlessness and hate but to still have the contraceptive powers to deceive a modest human being like Macbeth. "Come, you spirits that tend on moral thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me, from the crown to the toe, Top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood." Lady Macbeth- Act 1 scene V This passage shows Lady Macbeth asking the gods to fill her with all ruthlessness and hate to commit the killing of King Duncan but to have outer deceptive qualities to perceive other people like Macbeth himself. Lady Macbeth is getting very confused that Macbeth is refusing to kill King Duncan and she cannot commit the crime her self because evidently King Duncan resembles too much like her father. She fells that Macbeth is not a man and she ridicules and tries to persuade him to kill King Duncan by saying that he is not a man and that the only way to become a man is to kill the king (regicide). When Macbeth refuse to kill King Duncan he fells that it's the wrong thing to do and he wont be able to live with the guilt and he though to him self "why kill some one that has been good so good to me?" Macbeth is torn to the part where his wife's love is more important to him than committing terrible crime. Lady Macbeth is the True villain :: Macbeth essays Lady Macbeth is the True villain In the Shakespearian play 'Macbeth', it seems to be that every one thinks that Macbeth is the villain. But in actual fact Lady Macbeth is the villain. Lady Macbeth uses her cunning and deceptive skills to over power Macbeth into killing King Duncan. When Lady Macbeth receives the letter telling her about the witches' prophecies, she immediately thinks that she and Macbeth will have to kill King Duncan. She calls Macbeth to kind to kill King Duncan and saying that "Is to ful o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way" Lady Macbeth- Act 1 scene V. Lady Macbeth knows that King Duncan must be killed for Macbeth to become king, lady Macbeth fells to feminine to be implicated in this genocide so she goes and asks the gods to fill her with ruthlessness and hate but to still have the contraceptive powers to deceive a modest human being like Macbeth. "Come, you spirits that tend on moral thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me, from the crown to the toe, Top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood." Lady Macbeth- Act 1 scene V This passage shows Lady Macbeth asking the gods to fill her with all ruthlessness and hate to commit the killing of King Duncan but to have outer deceptive qualities to perceive other people like Macbeth himself. Lady Macbeth is getting very confused that Macbeth is refusing to kill King Duncan and she cannot commit the crime her self because evidently King Duncan resembles too much like her father. She fells that Macbeth is not a man and she ridicules and tries to persuade him to kill King Duncan by saying that he is not a man and that the only way to become a man is to kill the king (regicide). When Macbeth refuse to kill King Duncan he fells that it's the wrong thing to do and he wont be able to live with the guilt and he though to him self "why kill some one that has been good so good to me?" Macbeth is torn to the part where his wife's love is more important to him than committing terrible crime.

Case Study: P.F. Chang serves its workers well Essay

It is suggested by various text books and management tutors alike, that the mastering of the four functions of management; Planning, controlling, organising and leading along with developing technical, human and conceptual skills, should go some way to allowing a manager some degree of success in the field of management. Of course, having skills is just part of being an effective manager, these skills and functions must be communicated in a way that fellow managers and workers can understand and act upon. The case study of P.F. Chang, a U.S based chain of ‘Asian Bistros’ and ‘contemporary Chinese diners’ â€Å"P.F. Chang serves its workers well†, indicates a number of systems in place by the company that allows its managers to plan, organise and lead their workers and control the final product. The communication process is also aided by processes in individual restaurants. Of course, any individual is responsible for their own behaviour and young mana gers develop their own ‘style’ over time, but for a P.F. Chang manager certain skills need to be mastered to assimilate themselves with the culture and values of the company. Of the four management functions that a manager at P.F. Chang would require to manage a restaurant effectively, it could be argued that leading is the most important. The ‘Leadership Grid’ of Robert Blake and Jane Mouton (Schermerhorn, et al., p246) illiterates a scale of ‘concern’ for both people and production. The case study of P.F. Chang restaurants shows the company’s concern for its people, (‘P.F. Chang serves it’s people well’). It can, therefore, be assumed that on the Blake and Mouton scale, the concern for people is ‘high’. As both restaurant managers and workers achieving the ‘shared purpose’ of customer satisfaction. A P.F. Chang manager, would according to the Blake and Mouton grid, be required to adopt the management style of a ‘Team Manager’. As noted in the case study, most the workers are ‘typically young’ and that could present challengers. Developing a ‘hu man’ management skill would be very beneficial for a P.F. Chang manager due to the make up of the most of workers at each restaurant. In a recent study of Generation Y hospitality workers, it was concluded that even though there was a desire by the respondents to work less hours to ensure a positive work/life balance, â€Å"employee engagement can mean high commitment in recruitment, retention and performance.† (Axwell, 2010). Further reading into the management of the members of Gen Y (those born after 1980 and the most likely the age group that makes up the staff members at P.F. Chang’s) show that certain styles of leadership are called for. Eisner suggests that â€Å"Gen Y workers tend to have unbridled energy, endless enthusiasm, and the skills and experience of those much older [and] they should be managed with a coaching style† (Eisner, 2005). Obviously, not all workers at P.F. Chang will be Gen Y, and of course, not all Gen Y employees will respond to the same style of management. So the effective P.F Chang restaurant manger would need to have an awareness of how different style of manag ement would motivate each worker. Each manager at P.F. Chang’s may bring their own beliefs on what makes them effective as a manager. This could prove to be a hindrance if the individual manager is not open to learning (and putting into practice) a different style of management, subsequently re-evaluateing their approach to how they manage their restaurant to bring themselves in line to P.F. Chang’s corporate values. Emphasising that different generations may require different management strategies, Axwell explains that â€Å"Compared with other generations, Gen Y tends to have less respect for rank and more respect for ability and accomplishment. Expectations should be explained to Gen Y from the outset, including the big picture and how they fit into it.† (Axwell, 2010) Along with many other businesses operating in the current economic environment, P.F. Chang’s business relies on customers discretionary spending and P.F. Chang makes a point of putting their customers’ satisfaction at the forefront of their business. This position is illustrated in the 2010 financial report of P.F. Chan g which stated that the company’s aim was to â€Å"strive to create a loyal customer base that generates a high level of repeat business in our restaurants and translates to interest and trial of our retail products [however] Our business is highly sensitive to changes in guest traffic and our operators concentrate on consistent execution of superior customer service while also focusing on additional opportunities for operating efficiencies† (P.F. Chang, 2011). Some workers may struggle with the concept of ‘exceptional customer service’ and a P.F. Chang manager must find ways to organise those workers to meet the companies expectations while upholding the companies values of openness and respect. The case study mentions that ‘restaurant managers face the challenge every day of putting the right person in the right job, creating a team that works well together’. At P.F. Chang, staff meet before every work shift where the manager is able to organise staff, reminding them of them of their duties for which ever role they may occupy. This meeting could also give the manager an insight into which member of the team may be feeling unmotivated and time could then be made to talk to the team member and discuss any issues. By delegating tasks from a manger to an employee it conveys a sense of trust in the worker, and sense of empowerment. Furthermore, it gives the manager more time to complete other tasks. This delegation is evident at P.F. Chang. The case study notes that by giving servers authority to replace meals and the ‘freedom to make decisions’ there is a reported positive impact on staffs attitude and performance. Regional Vice President, Roxanne Pronk says that those freedoms extended to employees have ‘a huge impact on their attitude and performance’. Some research, however has found that not all employees actually want extra freedom to decisions. A front line service worker in a 2008 survey of the empowerment made the comment that they were not paid to make decision, stating â€Å"that’s a supervisor’s job, that’s not my job† Other respondents mentioned they wanted extra money for doing extra things, and they see it (empowerment) as extra things to their work (Ueno, 2008). Conversely, it is suggested that some employees are more likely to improve their behaviour when given added responsibility while others may resent it. A manager should be aware that a ‘one size fits all’ approach where the assumption is that every member of the team wants added responsibility is unfair, not just on the individual worker who is happy with their current work load and level of responsibility, but also for any particular worker who desires increased responsibility, but does not get it. As noted in Chen et al â€Å"managers need to make judgments regarding whom to empower and to what extent† (Ford, Myron, Russ, & Millam, 1995) Ueno concludes that â€Å"empowerment can improve both customer satisfaction and employee attitudes and behaviour† but also â€Å"that high empowerment does not necessarily represent high service quality while low empowerment does not inevitably correspond to low service quality† (Ueno, 2008). Information such as this could help the P.F Chang manger in organising workers, assigning roles that the employee feels comfortable with, acknowledge that while some employees will enjoy extra roles and increase their engagement, some may not and the encouragement of taking on more responsibility may actually be detrimental to the business. Being able to master the managerial functions and skills is, of course, only one part of the process for a P.F. Chang manger. How the information is conveyed to the staff of the restaurant is another set of skills that would need to be achieved. Good leaders tend to be good communicators who find ways to overcome barriers to effective communica tion. Restaurants by their nature of being a place where many people gather can be nosy places, the kitchens that serves the talking customers can be even noisier and servers waiting on tables do not generally have access to work stations with computers where they can regularly check email or other forms of electronic notifications. It would be important for the manager to establish systems for effective communication with the staff. One such system seems to have been established, as the case study mentions â€Å"every work shift †¦. begins with a staff meeting†. As noted in the case study, this meeting is used primarily â€Å"to motivate workers to head into their shifts with an upbeat outlook†, and as noted earlier, serves as a function for managers to organise staff according to their strengths. From a communications perspective, this meeting would also be the perfect opportunity for managers to disseminate information that could be useful for front line staff members to pass on to customers, for example, changes to menu items. P.F. Chang’s also places emphasis on respect and open communication between its managers and staff. As noted in the case study, managers sit down and discuss if and how workers external issues may be affecting their performance at work. Part of developing this ‘human skill’ which is essential for a task such as this is ‘active listening’. Schermerhorn, et al. state that â€Å"when people ‘talk’, they are trying to communicate something. That ‘something’ may or may not be what they are saying† (p 462). Further to this, Schmerhorn et al also show that different ways of communicating are more effective than others. This ‘channel richness’ or â€Å"the capacity if a communication channel to effectively carry information† (pg 456) argues that face to face meeting can be much more effective in conveying information than ‘hard copy’ like postings or bulletins. In addition to P.F. Chang managers conducting staff meetings before every shift, they also are engaged in discussions with their staff regarding performance issues. With these meetings being face to face, they would be ‘personal and two way’ and thus, ‘high in richness’. Any outcomes and possible agreements made between the manger and employee to meet a specific target to improve performance is more likely to be understood by the employee. Conversely, by sitting down and having a chat, the manager would gain a broader understanding of any issues that may be resulting in the change of behaviour or lack of engagement on the employee. Having open communication between the manager and employee also seems to have benefits for the business. Authors of a study which looked at service worker behaviour found that â€Å"conformance to service standards [are] more likely to be met if service standards are communicated and understood by all members of the organization, including line employees. Thus, open communication between frontline employees and managers is important for achieving service quality† (Chen, 2010). Developing skills for effective communication for the P.F. Chang manager is of course the key to this communication process being effective, along with having an awareness of barriers to effective communication. Age, gender or generational differences can also prove to be a barrier. Returning to a broad example of younger employees â€Å"Gen Y workers tend to look for instant gratification [and] tend to be constant negotiators and questioners, ‘how’ meetings become ‘why’ meetings† (Axwell, 2010) The afore mentioned poor channels of communication like bulletins along with the more subtle areas such as negative body language and other non-verbal communication and a lack of active listening skills may be covered in the training that P.F. Chang’s gives it restaurant managers. As with a lot of large chains, the overall di rection of the business would come from senior management. Planning as a function of the business as a whole, would therefore not be within the gambit of specific P.F. Chang restaurants managers. Of course, a degree of planning would be required and an awareness of this process would be important to the successful management of the restaurant. Schermerhorn, et al. describe planning as â€Å"the process of setting objectives and determining how to accomplish them† (p20). Referring back to the case study, a P.F. Chang manger may set objectives based on the engagement of their staff. For example, reducing absenteeism on days of the week when the restaurant is busiest. The achievement of this objective may be helped by the attitude adopted by the company in dealing with staff whose’ performance does not meet the company standards – an initiative directed by head office, but implemented at restaurant level. Ultimately, the managerial function of control is important to ensure the final product meets the required standard, in the case of P.F. Chang, the experience of diners – from the service to the food. As Merchant points out â€Å"the need or controls over any particular behaviour or operation within an organization depends very simply on the impact of that area on overall organizational performance. Thus more control should be exercised over a strategically important behaviour rather than over a minor one, regardless of how easy it is to control each† (Merchant, 1982). There are many issues that a restaurant manager must contend with on a day to day basis that will have no direct relation to people management, but due to the importance that the restaurant staff have to the overall business, this is the area that the most time should be devoted too. It can be assumed that controls for managing customers satisfaction would at first managed at restaurant level, indeed, the case study highlights that â€Å"the server has the authority to replace a meal†. Should this not be enough to satisfy the complaint of the customer, it may be escalated to the restaurant manager. Since all employees receive â€Å"extensive training† and their employee hand book, it could be assumed that managing customer complaints would be included in this. Once again, the control function would be lead by directives from further up the management chain, but the restaurant manager (and server) would be equipped with the skills and expectations on how to engage with dissatisfied customers. Schermerhorn, et al states that â€Å"the task of a manager is to bring the organisations resources into alignment with its purpose in a way that is sustainable in the organisations operating environment† (p 19). The case study ‘P.F. Chang serves its workers well’ highlights some of the processes that are established throughout the company that can assist the restaurant manager in effective management of a restaurant. For a restaurant manager at P.F. Chang, the goal of maintaining the motivation of the team of restaurant workers is the skill that would most need to be mastered – the function of leading – through a thorough understanding the workers being lead, how they might be thinking and how they wish to be managed, along with a healthy dose of leadership theory. Similarly, by knowing the personalities of the team, they can be organised to ensure a more productive work business. Those who are facing issues outside of work and those who want more responsibility (and those who don’t) can be managed accordingly. The P.F. Chang restaurant manager has surport from head office by way of systems in planning, but should know that control over staff and how they interact with the customers is of paramount importance. And finally, the P.F. Chang manager must acquiesce effective communication skills lead and motivate in the most effective way, and organised the team with the members that are willing and able to perform varying tasks assigned them and manage discuss in respectful and constructive way when controls in place to ensure performance targets are not met. Bibliography Axwell, G. (2010). Generation Y’s Career Expectations and Aspirations: Engagement in the Hospitality Industry. Journal Of Hospitality And Tourism Management , 60. Chen, H. R.-J. (2010). Empowerment in hospitality organizations: Customer orientation and organizational support. International Journal of Hospitality Management , 422, 424. Eisner, S. P. (2005). Managing Generation Y. SAM Advanced Management Journal . Ford, R. C., Myron, F. D., Russ, D. E., & Millam, E. R. (1995). Empowerment: A Matter of Degree. The Academy of Management Executive . Merchant, K. A. (1982). The Control Function of Management. Sloan Management Review , p. 48. P.F. Chang. (2011, Febuary 16). Form 10-K for P F CHANGS CHINA BISTRO INC . Retrieved January 18, 2012, from Yahoo Finance.com: http://biz.yahoo.com/e/110216/pfcb10-k.html Schermerhorn, J. R., Davidson, Poole, Simon, & Chau, W. &. (2011). Management. Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons Australia. Ueno, A. (2008). Is empowerment really a contributory factor to service quality? The Service Industries Journal , 1329.