In the beginning....

‎1. Why are you doing a portfolio?

          - I am doing an e-portfolio because it is a requirement in our course. =)

2. Is keeping a language portfolio significant to you?

          - Yes it is. Making this really hones my skills in English

3. The goals you want to achieve in an attempt to create a language portfolio.

          - I want to correct my mistakes in grammar. I also want to learn creative writing and good choice of words.

4. A note to the reader (your professor, your friends, and perhaps yourself).

          - You guys will not die seeing this blog! Haha joke. I made all these post with full of effort. I hope you guys will be inspired with what I wrote. Please pay a visit when you have time. If ever you notice mistakes in my posts, please tell me right away so I can correct them as soon as possible.Thank you! Have a great day!

Look here!

Table of Contents

I. ENGLCOM VIDEO 

         - GRAMMAR GHOST

II.READING LOGS

          The Road Not Taken ------------------------------------------------------------- Week 1

          The Necklace ---------------------------------------------------------------------Week 2

          Kesa and Morito ------------------------------------------------------------------Week 3

          Through Ages and Ages Eternal ---------------------------------------------------Week 4

          The Praying Hands ----------------------------------------------------------------Week 5

          Truce in The Forest --------------------------------------------------------------- Week 6

III. EVALUATION

Our ENGLCOM Video

Me and my group mates decided to have a concept of a ghost story/saw in order to make our video unique. We spent almost a week searching for errors in grammar and 1 1/2 days to do the filming. Francis Marquez offered their house as our venue of filming. We had an overnight at their house in order to focus more on the filming of the video. We conducted a "Maiba taya" game  to determine who will  be the star of our video and it turned out that it was Francis. Manuel Uy did all the script in the movie while Yves Feliciano's work is on video editing. I was the one who did the jigsaw voice-over and acted as the director. Fellow friends Matthew Manimbo, Chorniko Natividad and Marvin Mercado who were also there during the time of our filming also helped us in the production of the film. I am very happy because what we did was purely teamwork. I am very happy with the outcome of our work. Hope you like it guys!

 

Ghost of Grammar
The Video 
Director's Cut 

The Road Not Taken - Week 1

The Road Not Taken

By: Robert Frost

        The poem is all about the narrator who was in the woods. He reached two diverged roads which made him confused on what to choose. He chose the road less traveled by people. He never had the chance to come back and check what was on the other road. After his journey, he developed regrets on how will his life be if he took the other road.

        This poem is very simple but for me it has a deeper meaning. I think it shows us that making good decisions is a very important part in life. There will come a point wherein we will be asked to choose what we should do in our life. We must follow our heart, choose wisely and make the right decision so that in the end we will never regret what we did. This poem made me realize the importance of making choices in life because this will tell you what you will be in your future life.

Link: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-road-not-taken/

The Necklace - Week 2

The Necklace

By: Guy de Maupassant

        This short story is about a lady named Madame Mathilde Loisel. She was married to a clerk named Monsieur Loisel. Her husband is always willing to give everything to make his wife happy. Mathilde always get insecure on others. She always wanted to live beyond their means.

       One evening, Mathilde’s husband surprised her with a letter inviting them to attend to a social affair at the Ministry of Education. At first, Mathilde didn’t want to go because she has nothing to wear for the party. Her husband, willing to do anything just to make her happy, sacrificed his savings just to buy a gown for her wife.

        Mathilde bought the things that she need using the money from her husband that is supposed to be used in buying a gun. Even though she already had what she needed, Mathilde still complained to her husband. She told her that she lacks jewelries. Monsieur Loisel referred her to his friend Madame Jean Forestier. Madame Forestier lent Mathilde a diamond necklace so that she has something to be worn for the social affair. Mathilde thanked Madame Forestier for her kindness.

        Mathilde went to the party with his husband. She became the center of attraction because of that glimmering necklace. Not until 4am they left the party. Mathilde was shocked to find out that the necklace she borrowed from Madame Jean Forestier got lost. At the end of the story, she and her husband decided to gather all their savings and borrow money from others just to buy a necklace similar to the one that was lost. They were able to replace the necklace but they didn’t tell Madame Forestier that the original necklace was lost.

        It took Mathilde and her husband ten years to pay all their debts. Mathilde, one day, happens to see Madame Forestier. She still looks beautiful unlike Mathilde who now looks very haggard. Mathilde had the courage to reveal everything that happened. But in the end, it turned out that the necklace they lost was just an imitation which she bought at a low price.

           After this story, I had so many realizations about life. Being contented and honest in life makes life much easier to handle. Pride is also something that was emphasized in the story. If Mathilde just lowered her pride and told Madame Forestier everything that happened, she will not spend 10 years of hard work just to pay debts. Mathilde’s story is very miserable. It will serve as a lesson to the people who are like her.

       

Link: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Neck.shtml

Kesa and Morito - Week 3

Kesa and Morito
by: Ryonosuke Akutagawa

        This story is about a couple who really loved each other. Unfortunately they were separated by fate due to the fact that Morito had to study abroad. Because of this, Kesa became very depressed. This sadness was used by a man named Wataru to make Kesa fall in-love with him. After some time, he succeeded and both of them got married.
        Few years passed, Morito came back. He immediately went to his aunt Komorogawa. There Morito and Kesa accidentaly met again. The two had a formal conversation at the Watanabe bridge. Kesa told everything that happened. Even though she is married to Wataru, her heart still belongs to Morito. During that time, Wataru isn't around so the two spent time together and they had sex. After making love to each other, Morito suddenly developed slight disgust on Kesa. He was disappointed because she managed to have sex with him even if she is already married. He kept this only to himself.
        Morito proposed a plan of killing Wataru so the two of them willl be together again. He was shocked after hearing Kesa agree with the plan. They planned how they will kill Wataru. They agreed that after the sun sets, Kesa will make sure that Wataru is the only person in their room. There, Morito will make a surprise attack on him.
        It's getting dark and the plan is nearing to its execution. Kesa suddenly developed regrets. She realized that Wataru hasn't done anything wrong to her. She should be the one to die because she betrayed Wataru. Kesa heard Morito's steps from a distance. She turned off the room lamp and proceeded to the bed. A few moments, Morito slowly approached and attacked. He didn't know that the person inside the room isn't Wataru instead it was Kesa.
        This story was really a tragic one because in the end it exemplified a gloomy effect because Kesa died. I had so many realizations in this story. I can see that this kind of story really happens in real life. Some people tend to betray their partners because they realize that they are not really the one they love.
        Marriage is a sacred sacrament. One must really think twice before getting married because there may come a time wherein you will regret your decision. This story made me realize an important virtue called "loyalty."

Link: http://justinefay.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/kesa-and-morito/

Through Ages and Ages Eternal - Week 4

Through Ages and Ages Eternal

By: Conrado V. Pedroche

        This poem tells about a person’s life on earth. It started out with how a man was born. Then the following details are the continuous bloom of a man’s knowledge and perceptions. Next that were mentioned are the struggles and conflicts that man usually face in life. This poem really shows the reality of life. 
        There was a part wherein Pedroche said that men, who were once united, started to kill each other and develop conflict with one another. This part of the poem clearly reflects what is currently happening in our world today. People kill each other for illogical reasons. This is such a sad reality. Even though these problems continuously affect us, Pedroche believed that there is always hope in everything. Since man is a very strong person, he has a tendency to never give up and continue to fight to achieve the peaceful and brighter side of life: a stable life we all dream to have.

Link:http://rinoa19rei.multiply.com/journal/item/27/through_ages_and_ages_eternal

The Praying Hands - Week 5

The Praying Hands

By: Unknown Author

        This story tells about the struggles felt by two brothers in order to reach their dreams in life. Among the 18 children of Albrecht Durer the elder, two of them, Albert and Albrecht had the dream of being an artist. From the start they already know that their father cannot afford to send them to Nuremberg to study at the academy. Because of this, they decided that one of them has to sacrifice for the dream of the other. He has to work in the mine to support his other brother and by the time that his brother graduates, his brother will then be the one to help him also fulfill his ambition. They determined which is which by tossing a coin.

        It was very clear that Albrecht won and he immediately went off to Nuremberg. On the other hand, Albert went down to the mines and started to work. For four years, Albert financed the studies of Albrecht. It wasn’t really a waste because Albrecht really excelled in this field. He became a very famous artist and he received considerable fees for his works.

        This young artist went home to his village. His family arranged a festive dinner for him. During the dinner, he announced that he will now take care of his brother Albert so that he can fulfill his own dreams. Everyone was shocked to hear Albert refuse to the offer. He immediately cried even before stating his reason. According to him, he cannot fulfill his dream anymore and showed everyone his tired hands. The bones in his fingers were smashed at least once when he worked in the mines. He was also experiencing arthritis to the point that he can’t even make a toast for his brother.

        Albrecht realized how hard his brother sacrificed so that he can fulfill his dreams. He drew the hands of his brother to pay homage for his great sacrifice. This masterpiece was made from the heart of a thankful brother. His work became famous and it remained as a tribute of love for his brother. This masterpiece is called “The Praying Hands.”

        I was so touched by this story. I was very inspired and amazed after realizing the great sacrifice a brother has made in order to make his brother achieve his ambition in life. What he did was very heroic. It really showed an exceptional love, a love that is willing to let go of everything even if it cost your own ambitions and dreams in life. On the other hand, I felt sorry for Albert because he never had the chance to reach his own dream. But then, he felt no regrets because seeing his brother very successful because of him will always bring a bright smile to his face.

Link: http://www.ftmagic.com/prayinghands.html 

Truce in The Forest - Week 6

Truce in the Forest

By: Fritz Vincken

        This story tells about the unusual and inspiring encounter during the American-German War. One Christmas Eve, a group of wounded Americans from the war asked for help after seeing a house inside the forest. They were kindly invited by the mother. She served them and treated their wounds. Moments later, another group came and asked to spend a night in the house. This time, the group that arrived was full of Germans. Instead of immediately attacking each other, they agreed to settle the fight just for that moment because it’s Christmas. This idea was suggested by the mother. To prove this agreement, they surrendered their weapons to the mother and there they had a nice and delicious meal. Everyone really enjoyed that Christmas Eve because the conflict was set aside. The two groups spend the night in the mother’s house and the next morning, they separated ways in order to do their duties in their respective armies.

        This story is really an interesting and amazing one. I was so surprised after knowing that the two groups agreed positively on the situation. I consider this as the best part of the story. This is what we describe as the true spirit of Christmas. Everyone should read this story because there are so many lessons you can get from it.

Link: http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/index.php?/topic/645-truce-in-the-forest/

My Accomplishments!!!

1. Were you able to achieve the goals you set for grammar and reading? Why or why not?

        - I was able to achieve the goals set for grammar and reading. My vocabulary widened a bit and I also learned so many new things about grammar and reading.

2. What accomplishments in this class are you most proud of? Why?

        - One accomplishment I am most proud if is my writing style. I now had my own style in writing. I learned to organize and arrange my ideas correctly.

3. What areas still need improvement? What will you do?

        - I still need to focus on subject-verb agreement. For me, it's really confusing. In order to improve on this, I will recall all about this in order to fully understand all about it.

4. What did you learn about grammar, mechanics, word choice, and reading while you were completing this portfolio?

        - I learned that even the outstanding people in English have the tendency to make mistakes when it comes to grammar. It's natural that I commit mistakes as long as I know and I learn from them. I am now a college student so I am expected to use words that are in my level.

5. What difficulties did you encounter as you were completing this portfolio? How did you deal with these difficulties?

        - There were times I commit grammar mistakes. Whenever I doubt on what I wrote, I consult my fellow classmates for their opinions. There were also times I didn't know if a particular sentence really has a mistake or not so I also have to ask others. In the process of making this portfolio, I learned from observing things and asking from my classmates and professors.

6. All in all, what can you say about the process of keeping a language portfolio?

         - I am very happy with what I did. It's tiring but then it feels great to see all my work compiled beautifully. I had so many "first times" in the process of making this. I will always be proud of this and I will take this as a part of my unforgettable memories in college.