Plan Your School Vacation Ahead

In less than two months, classes shall be done and over for second semester. And, we can only be quite excited because this means two months of long summer vacation.


Most students and teachers take the summer vacation to be out of town and just enjoy the long break with friends and family.    In fact, I have the summer time all set for grand reunion and summer recreation. You can enjoy the discounts on air fares and book on great hotels and / or resorts including   setai new york   for more fun and memorable vacation escapade.


To help you have great summer vacation, plan with your family or friends, get a compromise as to your target place, preferred fun activities, lodging accommodation, food, and more importantly, budget shares.  Luckily, we have travel agencies to make the travel easier and hassle free. So, with few weeks of school ordeal left, vacation shall be on our lap with more fun and excitement.

Java's Box Layout

Another interesting Layout Manager is the Box Layout that allows components to be aligned vertically or horizontally. Unlike Grid Layout where components are aligned in tabular format, Box Layout provides one row or column for components.

Using the parameters below gives us a container where components are stacked vertically:

BoxLayout horizontal =new BoxLayout(commandPane,BoxLayout.Y_AXIS);

See the program for complete illustration.
[+/-] show/hide

import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class BoxLayoutDemo extends JFrame {

public BoxLayoutDemo()
{


super("Stacker");
setSize(430,150);

setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
//create top panel
JPanel commandPane=new JPanel();
BoxLayout horizontal =new BoxLayout(commandPane,BoxLayout.Y_AXIS);
commandPane.setLayout(horizontal);
JButton subscribe = new JButton("Subscribe");
JButton unsubscribe = new JButton("Unsubscribe");
JButton refresh = new JButton("Refresh");
JButton save = new JButton("Save");

commandPane.add(subscribe);
commandPane.add(unsubscribe);
commandPane.add(refresh);
commandPane.add(save);

//create bottom panel
JPanel textPane=new JPanel();
JTextArea txt = new JTextArea(4,70);
JScrollPane scrollPane=new JScrollPane(txt);

//put them together
FlowLayout flow =new FlowLayout();
setLayout(flow);
add(commandPane);
add(scrollPane);
setVisible(true);



}

public static void main (String [] args){
BoxLayoutDemo frm = new BoxLayoutDemo();

}
}

Java's Flow Layout

Java's Flow Layout is the default layout of a panel. If you want components to be centered horizontally on your container, Flow Layout is the best choice. Further, with components automatically arranged across the containers,  we make sure that these components are given equal space.

We can further  change the alignment to LEFT, RIGHT, or CENTER.  The program below illustrates the use of Flow Layout.

[+/-] show/hide

import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.event.*;

public class FlowLayoutDemo extends JFrame implements ActionListener{
JButton lb = new JButton("Left Button");
JButton rb = new JButton("Right Button");
FlowLayout layout = new FlowLayout();
Container con = getContentPane();
public FlowLayoutDemo()
{
con.setLayout(layout);
con.add(lb);
con.add(rb);

lb.addActionListener(this);
rb.addActionListener(this);


setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
Object source = e.getSource();
if (source==lb)
layout.setAlignment(FlowLayout.LEFT);
else
layout.setAlignment(FlowLayout.RIGHT);
layout.layoutContainer(con);
}
public static void main (String [] args){
FlowLayoutDemo frm = new FlowLayoutDemo();
frm.setSize(300,100);
frm.setTitle("Flow Layout Demo");
frm.setVisible(true);
}
}

General Santos City Designates 2011 Kalilangan to the Academe

Surprisingly, this year’s celebration of Kalilangan, a festival that celebrates General Santos City’s early settlers, is designated to an academic institution, Mindanao State University. Thus, a good number of city locals are quite surprised and disappointed by the sudden change. There are still usual events like exhibits, sports games, barangay showcases among other, we can’t help but compare the implementation with the old Kalilangan organizers.

But, most locals like the mini – zoo and carabao rides that they rarely see in the old Kalilangan celebrations. So, the young ones get to appreciate farm and wild animals and boost their care for environment. We however missed seeing horses with their  horse tack   to boot; it shall be fun if kids can ride on these pricey animals too.
The 2011 Kalilangan Festival shall conclude today but the open – field exhibit shall end early March. So, the city locals can continuously see the city’s pride.

We can only wish that next year’s Festival celebration be grander and happier.

College Jokes: Funny & True Pinoy Signs Found While Traveling

joke source: fortunecity.com

No parking and repair here - sign on a house beside a car repair shop

Taxi and outside cars not allowed - sign at a parking lot

No Crossing Pedestrians will be apprehended. - sign at Philcoa

Sorry for the inconvenient. - typical roadwork sign

Your taxes is working. Temporarily close. Yet another typical roadwork sign

Slow Men at Work - PLDT sign

Please help our comfort room clean. - sign at a self-service restaurant in Cebu

Fresh frozen chicken sold here - sign in a Baguio grocery

Welcome to the only Catholic Country in Asia! Beware of pickpockets - sign near a Church

None ID, nothing entry - sign at construction site, Cubao

No trispassing. If you trispass, you will be biten by d?dog. - sign in Tondo

now showing- the carpenters - on a sign outside a construction site

Jojo's Beauty Salon, for man and woman - on a billboard in Pampanga

Barya lang po sa umaga - sign in jeeps

Johnny's, the Fried of Marikina - they sell tasty fried chicken, guess where?

Petal attraction - pangalan ng isang flower shop

"...experience is needed but not required.."- sa classified ads

This one is not in Pinas pero pwede na rin siguro: A church sign in front of the priest's reserved parking space: THOU SHALT NOT Park Here!

Maruya Carey, BananaramaCue - sa menu signboard sa Potato Corner kiosk sa Greenbelt

Actual store names in Metro Manila believe it or not:

Ali Baka (Shawarma)

Anita BakeryActual store names in Metro Manila believe it or not:

Beefer 150 ( Meat Shop )

Common Cents Store ( Sari-sari Store )

Crispy per minute ( Crispy Pata Eatery )

Curl Up And Dye ( Beauty Salon )

Doris Day And Night

Elizabeth Tailoring

Farmacia With Love ( A Drugstore )

Felix the Cut ( Barber Shop )

Goldirocks ( Gravel & Sand Shop )

Labo Optical

Mane Attraction ( Beauty Parlor )

Meating Place ( Meat Shop )

Memory Drug ( A Mercury Drug Clone )

Nacho Fast ( Nachos To Go )

Passers Buy ( Convenience Store )

R. Maramot Leasing (A Batangas Co.)

Saudia Hairlines ( Beauty Salon )

Scissors Palace ( Barber shop )

Second Time Around ( Second Hand Watch Store ) 

[+/-] show/hide

TapSi TurBi ( Tapa, Sinangag, Turon at Bibingka

The Way We Wear ( Boutique )

Wash & Carry ( Laundromat )

MacDonuts ( Donut Shop )

Mat & Jeep ( Jeep Accessories Shop )

Mercy Buko ( Fresh Coconut Roadside Shop )

Pizza Hot ( Pizza Place )

Your Best Vet ( Veterinary Clinic )

I saw this bakery in Project 6. It's called Bread Pitt.

My friend saw a sign infront of a 7-11 Convenience store being built. It says "sorry for the inconvenience"

Lito...Lapida Maker!

King Tuckee's Fried Tsiken....

Jullibee's wonder Chicken...

Cheeny's Roasters...

"original 1935 pandesal for sale" - A pandesal shop in aurora boulevard

"cinavon" -- with matching cinema film type logo laundromat

Mang Donalds - burger shop in pasig town proper

Cooking ng ina mo - on a carinderia

Cooking ng ina mo rin - right across cooking ng ina mo

We make modern and antique furnitures - along a highway in Pampanga

On the Ofc door of Atty. Domingo Carriedo fr. Cebu: the sign says, Notary Public Tumatanggap din po ng labada tuwing Linggo.

Java's Border Layout

In my previous post on Layout Manager,  Java has different layout managers that can be used to control the placement and sizes of components inside a container.

One interesting layout manager is the Border Layout of Java. If you need different regions like NORTH, SOUTH, CENTER, WEST and EAST, Border Layout is preferred.

Since we can have containers within containers, a container with border layout may also have another container with border layout.

With components in containers, we can also include events. Thus, the program below integrated window and action events in border layout container.
[+/-] show/hide

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;

public class BorderLayoutEvents extends Frame implements WindowListener,ActionListener {

Button b1,b2,b3,b4,b5;

public BorderLayoutEvents(String title) {

super(title);
setLayout(new BorderLayout());
addWindowListener(this);
b1 = new Button("North");
add(b1, BorderLayout.NORTH);
b1.addActionListener(this);

b2 = new Button("West");
add(b2, BorderLayout.WEST);
b2.addActionListener(this);

b3 = new Button("Center");
add(b3, BorderLayout.CENTER);
b3.addActionListener(this);

b4 = new Button("East");
add(b4, BorderLayout.EAST);
b4.addActionListener(this);

b5 = new Button("South");
add(b5, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
b5.addActionListener(this);
}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
remove((Component)e.getSource());
validate();
}

public static void main(String[] args) {

BorderLayoutEvents myWindow = new BorderLayoutEvents("Border Layout");
myWindow.setSize(250,150);
myWindow.setVisible(true);

}


public void windowActivated(WindowEvent arg0) {
}

public void windowClosed(WindowEvent arg0) {
}

public void windowClosing(WindowEvent arg0) {
dispose();
System.exit(0);
}

public void windowDeactivated(WindowEvent arg0) {
}

public void windowDeiconified(WindowEvent arg0) {
}

public void windowIconified(WindowEvent arg0) {
}

public void windowOpened(WindowEvent arg0) {
}

}

Prefinal Exams Up and Running

Most collegiate schools are almost done with their second semester classes and I am pretty sure, requirements due for passing continue to pile up and most students may begin to cram just to beat deadlines and earn passing marks.


While it inspires me to teach among college students, there are also few days when I am just so disappointed over my students’ passive behavior towards learning. So, I divert from our academic content, give them some reality – bite wisdom. Oftentimes, I tell my students that nothing really is  permanent, only change.  So, it pays to make right choices now just like what one gets from  www.trustedquote.com  for life insurances.


So, I just hope that since prefinal exams commence already, my students have studied well and earn good marks otherwise their chances for passing their semestral subjects can just go vain.

College Jokes: Ways To Know You Are A Filipino

I  have been including college jokes just to highlight the fun of being in school. So, I shall continue the works with the fun that we have as Filipinos. The list below is an excerpt from fortunecity.com.

1. You point with your lips
2. You nod upwards to greet someone.
3. You collect items from hotels or restaurants "for souvenir".
4. You smile for no reason.
5. You flirt by having a foolish grin in your face while raising your eyebrows repeatedly.
6. You go to a department store and try to bargain the prices.
7. You add an unwarranted "H" to your name, i.e. "Jhun," "Bhoy," "Rhon."
8. You put your hands together in front of you as if to make a path and say "excuse, excuse" when you pass in between people or in front of the TV
9. You like everything imported or "state-side."
10. You Check the labels on clothes to see where it was made before buying.
11. You always offer food to all your visitors.
12. You say "comfort room" instead of "bathroom."
13. You say "for take out" instead of "to go."
14. You asked for "Colgate" instead of "toothpaste."
15. You asked for a "pentel-pen" or a "ball-pen" instead of just "pen."
16. You order a McDonald's instead of "hamburger"(pronounced ham-boor-jer)
17. You say "Ha?" instead of "What."
18. You say "Hoy" to get someone's attention.
19. You answer when someone yells "Hoy."
20. You turn around when someone says "Psst!"
21. Your sneeze sounds like "ahh-ching" instead of "ahh-choo."
22. You prefer to make acronyms for phrases such as "OA" for over acting, or "TNT" for, well, you know.
23. You say "air con" instead of "a/c" or air conditioner.
24. You say "brown-out" instead of "black-out."
25. You have a portrait of "The Last Supper" hanging in your dining room.
26. You own a Karaoke System.
27. You own a piano that no one ever plays.
28. You own a "barrel man" (you pull up the barrel and you see something that looks familiar. schwing...)
29. You refer to your VCR as a "beytamax
30. You have a giant wooden fork and spoon hanging somewhere in the dining room
31. Your car has too many "burloloys" like a Jipneys back in P.I.
32. You hang a Rosary on your car's rear view mirror.
33. You order a "soft drink" instead of a "soda."
34. You refer to seasonings and all other forms of monosodium glutimate as "Ajinomoto"
35. This you 'll agree 100% ... Goldilocks" means more to you than just a character in a fairytale.

Local and National Competitions Boost Students

As I type, the local government of General Santos City holds the 3rd String Accoustic Competition and it presents ten (10) promising young talents from schools and freelance groups.



Surprisingly, we have our school’s talents giving out their best and we can only take pride in their singing and musical efforts and skills.


Schools can be good grounds for harnessing students’ talents and if given due opportunities, these students can indeed bring pride and glory to their alma mater. Thus, competitions like beauty pageants, art and literature, sports, singing and dancing contests are just among the competitions students can harness their skills and boost
their self confidence.


So, while there are other schools that prohibit contests like beauty pageants, I quite believe contests can be a good medium for students’ holistic development.

Lean and Fit Teachers

Since 2008 I have been jogging and employing other forms of outdoor recreations to have fun and to stay fit. However, when school works and functions constrain my regular exercise, the guilt can be quite overwhelming.


I quite know that staying fit is good for the heart and prevention against other weight - related diseases. However, in the recent article about mental disorders like dementia, exercise like jogging or running can be quite good for the brain too.


It pays to learn about staying fit, healthy and fabulous and learning about the how's and the why's of exercise and other health - inducing treatment  including  natural male enhancement  and procedures can make you enjoy your age and relationships with others.


So, I can only hope that I can sustain my morning jogs to keep my weights down, boost confidence and remain healthy through the years.

Educate Against Credit Card Abuse and Theft

With technology and Internet, credit cards come abound and with economy that continues to press downhill, the use of credit cards can be quite tempting. So, when are short with cash, we seem to look forward to just using the big CC.

But, personal experience and failure stories of my friends about credit cards make the abuse and theft of cards disastrous.

So, before you apply for the next credit card, evaluate if you really need one. Also, consider interest rates and annual subscription to keeping these cards. Remember that when you pay only the minimum, chances you are, you shall be paying more for your credited purchases.

It can be smart that one card will do but if you need one more to suit your lifestyle and needs, just manage your credit card finances and you will just do fine.

Java's Layout Managers

Layout Managers are used to control the placement and size of components inside a container like a Frame or Panel. Since we have container inside a container, we can also embed layout manager inside another layout manager.

In Panel, the default layout is a FlowLayout where components are centered horizontally, so, a programmer can automatically arrange the components with the same sizes.   On the other hand, contentPanes have BorderLayout as their default layout where regions are used to hold components and/or containers.

In Java, the following are the layout managers:

• 
   BorderLayout  - makes use of regions - NORTH, SOUTH, WEST, EAST, CENTER;

• FlowLayout -  moves the components left to right and automatically wraps components;
• GridLayout - use this if you want to see components in rows and in columns where components are of the same size;
• CardLayout - this layout manager allows you to see only one component at a time;
• BoxLayout - this layout allows you to see components in a row or  in a column;
• GridBagLayout - allows the control of size, placement and alignment constraints of each component. 
•  

Personality Development Seminars: Do They Suck?

While most college student know what they want and need and get to have a lot of friends, some other college students wobble in despair and isolation. In fact, most social dysfunction and personal dilemmas become more persisting and troubling that school performance deteriorates, vices are acquired, and social problems occur.

So, while most schools have student services like guidance and counseling and personality development seminar to guide through students in their personal and social relationships. So, if one must ask if personality development really sucks? I honestly say, it does not because if the seminar includes improving my self confidence, enhancing my physical appearance through the right treatment and habits including  acne treatment   or harnessing my communication and PR skills, the time spent in personality development can be all worthwhile.

College can be tough but if students have the right character towards addressing personal and social pressures over and above academics, I bet, they can just go through college with fun and good memories.

You Were One of the Overachievers

You Were One of the Overachievers

When you were in high school, you were unusually mature and together for your age. You worked hard and were extremely successful. You probably graduated at the top of your class. You probably didn't have much time to even consider what social clique you were in... you were too busy studying. Some may say that you missed out on the full high school experience, but at least you got into a good college!

What High School Clique Did You Belong To?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Java's List Event

You can actually choose an item from a list with a double click. With this, we invoke a list event through the ListSelectionEvent type.  A list may have three selection modes: SINGLE SELECTION, SINGLE INTERVAL and MULTIPLE INTERVAL.  The default  selection mode is Multiple Interval allowing us to select several contiguous cells or items from our list.

I have revised the previous list and action event simply through a selection on the list to invoke the event with a label of the chosen item.
[+/-] show/hide

/*
* To change this template, choose Tools | Templates
* and open the template in the editor.
*/

/**
*
* @author Rose
*/


/*answer to the prefinal exam hands - on exam*/
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;

import javax.swing.event.ListSelectionListener;
import javax.swing.event.ListSelectionEvent;

public class GUIPREFINEVENTV3 extends JFrame implements ListSelectionListener
{

String[] numbers={" Zero "," One "," Two "," Three "," Four "," Five "," Six "," Seven "," Eight "," Nine "};
JList numList=new JList(numbers);

JLabel xlabel = new JLabel();
String choice;

public GUIPREFINEVENTV3() {
super("List Event");
setSize(100, 200);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
numList.setSelectionMode(ListSelectionModel.SINGLE_SELECTION);
numList.addListSelectionListener(this);

JScrollPane scroller=new JScrollPane(numList);
setLayout(flo);
add(scroller);
add(xlabel);
setVisible(true);

}



public void valueChanged(ListSelectionEvent e) {
choice=(String) numList.getSelectedValue();
xlabel.setText("You chose: "+choice);
}


public static void main(String[] arguments) {
GUIPREFINEVENTV3 app = new GUIPREFINEVENTV3();
}
}

Enhance Learning through Field Exposure

Having been in school for over a few decades as a teacher and student makes me experience and see that schools actually bring their students to various commercial establishments of electronics, textile, food processing, or steel drum among others and industry exposures including apprenticeships or immersion to enforce new learning and / or enhance academic contents.


Thus, the Commission on Higher Education forces colleges and universities to include field apprenticeship to enhance learning. This shall give way to first - hand learning that students can't possibly have in a typical classroom arrangement.


And, now that summer is just around the corner, I am quite sure that most schools shall hold their field apprenticeship where most classes are off. I just wish that students shall indeed make the most of their field exposures.

Java's List and Action Events

Event handling in Java makes the program more dynamic and pleasing because of GUI features and capabilities.

Because of GUI various components, we can actually incorporate different events among these components. So, it is important that when we design our interface, we can anticipate possible events like an enter key on text fields, or mouse clicks on buttons, or mouse actions on windows among others.

The program below illustrates the event on list and button and we incorporated ActionEvent and ListSelectionEvent.
 
[+/-] show/hide

/*answer to the prefinal exam hands - on exam*/
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;

import javax.swing.event.ListSelectionListener;
import javax.swing.event.ListSelectionEvent;

public class GUIPrefinalEventv2 extends JFrame implements ActionListener, ListSelectionListener
{

String[] numbers={" Zero "," One "," Two "," Three "," Four "," Five "," Six "," Seven "," Eight "," Nine "};
JList numList=new JList(numbers);
JButton print=new JButton("Print");
String choice;

public GUIPrefinalEventv2() {
super("Exam");
setSize(100, 200);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
numList.setSelectionMode(ListSelectionModel.SINGLE_SELECTION);
numList.addListSelectionListener(this);

JScrollPane scroller=new JScrollPane(numList);
print.addActionListener(this);
setLayout(flo);
add(scroller);
add(print);

setVisible(true);
}



public void valueChanged(ListSelectionEvent e) {
choice=(String) numList.getSelectedValue();
}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent a)
{ System.out.println("You chose: "+choice);}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
GUIPreFinalEvent app = new GUIPreFinalEvent();
}
}

Working Holiday But No - School on February 25

During the time Gloria Arroyo of the previous administration, holiday economics was a typical practice where Filipinos experience long weekends because of the holidays that were moved close to weekends. For most workers, the holiday economics was a delightful experience because they get to have paid breaks but for others who simply rely on pay - by - attendance, the holidays meant salary deductions. Further, not most commercial establishments were happy with the regular holidays and long weekends for obvious reasons.


However, when present president Benigno Aquino Jr revised the implementation of holiday economics causing even national holidays to be working holiday like the Edsa Revolution this February 25, 2011, the sentiments of most Filipinos are still divided. However, the schools shall suspend classes to give way for the celebration.


But, as a businessman, the working holiday is preferred because it can mean acquiring sales.

How Can Your Teenagers Improve their Self Esteem?

When teenagers reach mid school, they get all sorts of insecurities and pressures from peers, teachers, and even parents that their self esteem can be quite degraded.


So, issues like weight loss/gain, vices, skin problems, vices to name a few can be potential humps in building self esteem.


However, teenagers’ issues can be quite addressed; they can try the following to improve self esteem:

• Enroll in personality development sessions;
• Take a weight loss / gain programs;
• Seek the expertise of others on special needs like vices or drug / alcohol addiction among others;
• Address skin problems like pimples or acne through best acne product ;
• Improve communication skills, posture, fashion taste;
• Befriend people with positive characters;
• Learn a new skill or two like driving or painting to make your time more worthwhile;

Missing Old Students and School Colleagues

at a wedding of my old student with school co - workers

One of my old students tagged me in Facebook about his wedding pictures and I could only mumble incoherent because I could barely remember the event.  

Seeing the old picture made me miss my old school and everyone else. It seems like time has flown quite fast that I wonder what had happened since I left Zamboanga City.  

I guess I just have to make new memories here with my new students and new co - workers and just reminisce the old memories whenever I can.

Java's Radio Buttons

Java's radio button functions like a check box  however unlike a check box, a radio button can only be selected once in a specific group.

A constructor for radio buttons can be as follows:


JRadioButton rb1=new JRadioButton("Red");
JRadioButton rb2=new JRadioButton("Blue");
JRadioButton rb3=new JRadioButton("Yellow");
ButtonGroup background=new ButtonGroup();
:
:
con.add(rb1);
con.add(rb2);
con.add(rb3);
:
:
//adding background color to the radio buttons
rb1.setBackground(Color.RED);
rb2.setBackground(Color.BLUE);
rb3.setBackground(Color.YELLOW);

background.add(rb1);
background.add(rb2);
background.add(rb3);

You can add an event on radio buttons using the ItemEvent. See the sample below.
[+/-] show/hide

/*JRadioButton with action events*/

/* sample use of JCheckbox with Item event */
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class JRadioButtonDemoEvent extends JFrame implements ItemListener{

Container con = getContentPane();
JRadioButton rb1=new JRadioButton("Red");
JRadioButton rb2=new JRadioButton("Blue");
JRadioButton rb3=new JRadioButton("Yellow");
ButtonGroup background=new ButtonGroup();


//constructor for JCheckBoxEvent

public JRadioButtonDemoEvent()
{ super("JRadioButton Demo");
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
con.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
con.add(rb1);
con.add(rb2);
con.add(rb3);

//adding background color to the radio buttons
rb1.setBackground(Color.RED);
rb2.setBackground(Color.BLUE);
rb3.setBackground(Color.YELLOW);

background.add(rb1);
background.add(rb2);
background.add(rb3);

//adding an item listener
rb1.addItemListener(this);
rb2.addItemListener(this);
rb3.addItemListener(this);



}

public void itemStateChanged(ItemEvent e){
ItemSelectable source;
source = e.getItemSelectable();

if (source==rb1){
con.setBackground(Color.RED);}
else if (source==rb2){
con.setBackground(Color.BLUE);}
else if (source==rb3){
con.setBackground(Color.YELLOW);}
}


public static void main (String[] args)
{ JFrame aFrame = new JRadioButtonDemoEvent();
aFrame.setSize(250,150);
aFrame.setVisible(true);
}}6

Why Most Kids Drop from School

Unfortunately, most students stop from earning their degree for various reasons. And, from conferences with students and parents, the following are oftentimes the reasons for dropping:

• Financial constraint
• Family issues
• Wrong peers
• Low performance
• Vices
• Wrong choices of course and / or school
• Low self – esteem making social exposures and relationships difficult
• Poor communication skills and personality 

Schooling is never easy but when parents, teachers and students identify the cause(s) of problems, address them through counseling, scholarships, study loans,   cash advance  or personality development sessions among others, the number of drop-outs can be highly reduced. While the number of drop – outs may vary from school to school, the root causes may fall on the same wavelength, thus, we can only mitigate.

Java's Check Box

A check box is somehow similar to a button, however, it does not bounce back when click on instead, it can be toggled to on and off mode.


An event can be initiated on check box using the ItemEvent and using the constant ItemEvent.SELECTED and DESELECTED, a user can determine which item is chosen.


A constructor for JCheckBox states as follows:


JCheckBox bold = new JCheckBox("Bold", true);  //default selection
JCheckBox italic = new JCheckBox("Italic");


See the program below for application of JCheckBox.
[+/-] show/hide

/* sample use of JCheckbox with Item event */
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class JCheckBoxEvent extends JFrame implements ItemListener{

Container con = getContentPane();
JCheckBox bold = new JCheckBox("Bold");
JCheckBox italic = new JCheckBox("Italic");
JTextField result = new JTextField("",25);


//constructor for JCheckBoxEvent

public JCheckBoxEvent()
{ super("JCheckBox Demo");
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
con.setLayout(new GridLayout(0,1));
con.add(bold);
con.add(italic);
con.add(result);

//adding an item listener
bold.addItemListener(this);
italic.addItemListener(this);
result.setEditable(false);

setContentPane(con);


}

public void itemStateChanged(ItemEvent e){
Font ShowFont;
String text;
int style;

text = "12 point";
style =0;

Object source = e.getSource();

if (source==bold){
int select = e.getStateChange();
if(select == ItemEvent.SELECTED){
style=style|Font.BOLD;
text +=" boldface";
}
else text +=" regular weight";
}
else if (source==italic){
int select = e.getStateChange();
if(select == ItemEvent.SELECTED){
style=style|Font.ITALIC;
text +=" italic";
}
else text +=" roman";
}

text += " font";
ShowFont = new Font("Arial",style,12);
result.setFont(ShowFont);
result.setText(text);

}


public static void main (String[] args)
{ JFrame aFrame = new JCheckBoxEvent();
aFrame.setSize(250,150);
aFrame.setVisible(true);
}}

Java's Combo Box

A Java's combo box appears like a list but with drop down collection of items. You can actually type in a combo box or simply select an item from the options.

A constructor for a combo box can be without parameters or with a string of items as stated below:

String[] courses = {"Computer Science"," Information System", "Information Technology"}
 JComboBox  courselist = new JComboBox(courses);

If your constructor is without parameters,  JComboBox  courselist = new JComboBox(  );, you can add the items using the addItem( ) method as stated below:

courselist.addItem("Computer Science");
courselist.addItem("Information System");
courselist.addItem("Information Technology");

 You can use the method getSelectedItem( ) to  return selected option. See the sample below for complete sample program.


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import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class ComboBoxes extends JFrame {
public ComboBoxes() {
super("Combo Boxes");
setSize(345, 120);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
JComboBox profession = new JComboBox();
FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout();
profession.addItem("Butcher");
profession.addItem("Baker");
profession.addItem("Candlestick maker");
profession.addItem("Fletcher");
profession.addItem("Fighter");
profession.addItem("Technical writer");
setLayout(flo);
add(profession);
setVisible(true);
}

public static void main(String[] arguments) {
ComboBoxes app = new ComboBoxes();
}
}

Parent Conference Heightened

Being a teacher for over a decade gives a different perspective of why students drop from classes or fail their subjects. And, as a responsible school, teachers and / or school personnel are oftentimes required to meet the parents or the guardians to confer their students' school performance.


While it is an added work to checking exams, preparing lectures, enduring school stress and deprived sleeps causing dark circle for teachers to spend time to contact parents and discuss with them students' performances, the efforts are quite worthwhile.


With the parents - teacher - student conferences, everyone can do his/her share to making sure that students do well in school. As teachers, we can only be socially responsible of our students and parents are equally obliged to follow - up their children or ward at home.

Flu and Colds Overwhelm School

Graphics for Get Well Comments

The persisting extreme shift from hot to cold weather can only be blamed as teachers and students suffer from long flu and colds. And in spite of the government health advisories against a strong strain of flu virus, most Filipinos can only endure of this chronic disease.


We are officially done with our own share of flu and colds and we can only wish well other students and teachers that they get really better.

STI College Holds 16th National Youth Convention

Last February 18, 2011, around 300 IT students from STI General Santos City headed to Davao City to join other STIers and since I teach among first year students this first semester, I had the whole day off. I just had to use the free time to check on classroom papers and take a few hours watching classic movies.

 STI NYC  

photo source: STI.edu

This year's theme, “Change I Want to See Starts with Me,” aims to ignite  the patriotism and to encourage them to start positive change within themselves and become more involved in their communities and in nation-building.


From the STI's HQ official website, I quote STI’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter K. Fernandez, “the NYC fosters camaraderie and a combination of traditional, innovative and superior learning in STI’s growing community. With over two decades as an educational institution, we are very pleased that this year, more than 30,000 STIers were given the opportunity to hone their skills and become globally competitive professionals of their time.”

I am pretty sure that my students shall share nice memories on their big travel and convention day.

How to Look Good in Your Prom Day

February is a month for romantic celebrations and school proms; in fact, our boutique is regularly swarmed with students querying on prom gowns and alike. We can only be more glad to help them though and while some students are confident with what they want, others require approval of their friends or families in selecting the right stuff. Somehow, we get to give our own basic fashion tips to make sure that they stand out in their parties.

So, how can you  look good in prom day? You can try the following basic suggestions:

• acquire gain or loss weight program to shed off unwanted weights or gain additional pounds. An exercise, diet and / or another   best way to lose weight  can help you see results;
•  pick the right gowns/outfit and accessories to highlight your strengths (e.g narrow waistline, firm butt or long legs);
• enroll in personality development sessions to help boost your confidence;
• take confidence that you look beautiful inside and out;
• just enjoy your prom day and you will make it extra special. 

More of Java's Event Handling

 Event handling makes a Java GUI program more interactive and with the different event types (e.g ActionEvent for buttons, MouseEvent for mouse actions, KeyEvent for key pressed, ItemEvent for check box or list item), a programmer can have full use of Java to make the program more dynamic.


The program below prompts a user to enter a value for text field and either a text field ENTER key or a button click can produce the label greetings.

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import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class GUIHelloEventQuiz extends JFrame implements ActionListener{
//Container con = getContentPane();
JPanel pane = new JPanel();
JLabel lbl1 = new JLabel("Enter Your Name:");
JTextField tf = new JTextField(15);
JButton btn = new JButton ("Press me!");
JLabel lbl2 = new JLabel(" ");
public GUIHelloEventQuiz(){


pane.add(lbl1);
pane.add(tf);

btn.addActionListener(this);
tf.addActionListener(this);
pane.add(btn);
pane.add(lbl2);
add(pane);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
//setContentPane(con);
}

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
//Object x = e.getSource();
lbl2.setText("Hello "+tf.getText());
}

public static void main (String args[]){
GUIHelloEventQuiz quiz = new GUIHelloEventQuiz();
quiz.setTitle("Greetings");
quiz.setSize(300,200);
quiz.setVisible(true);
}
}

Brain Drain of Philippine Teachers Accelerates

In the recent national news, brain drain, a phenomenon worldwide particularly in the Philippines continues to accelerate. Worse, it accelerates in jet - speed since 2002 and we can't blame them when other countries offer higher and better pay and opportunities.

photo source: internet

For one, most teachers in the Philippines merely receive gross pay of  PHP 7,000.00 ($150) compared to $800 - $1000 elsewhere. This is also the case for the IT and health care industries as IT professionals and licensed nurses and doctors migrate for jobs abroad.

Personally, I would want to work abroad for better living but business and family make me all hesitant. Unless the government can really sustain a better economy for everyone, brain drain shall continue to be a problem and while the government takes pride in the OFW remittances, this is only an affirmation of employment issues in the country.  

Harness Your Academic Skills

Skills are acquired either acquired through formal education or through self - study. But, whatever is the medium of acquiring new skills, it is important that we harness our natural and acquired talents to optimal level. Only then, we enjoy and give pleasure to others and acquire self satisfaction and esteem.


Experts also say that acquiring new skills can actually create new neuron connection that can prevent future mental dysfunctions. So, with these significant reasons, we can only learn more.


So, what skills can you acquire? I can only cite the following:

• learn new cooking cuisines using le creuset like the Japanese, European, Chinese among others to surprise your loved ones;
• learn driving a car, plane, bike, roller blades or anything of your interest or hobby;
• read regularly to boost your comprehension, communication and problem solving skills;
• enroll to a formal education or otherwise to learn a new language or two;
• master any challenging activity like programming, science experiments among others. 

Irregardless of what new skills you can learn, the bottom line is always to have fun.

School - Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day in 2011 falls on a Monday and since it is a school - office day, we can only enjoy and endure the day's constraint. But, I am pretty sure that school personnel and students will still enjoy the big day with friends and loved ones.

So, HAPPY HAPPY HEART'S DAY EVERYONE!


Free Myspace Graphics

Enhance Academic Instruction through Visual Aids

I once taught in middle school and the training and experience were both challenging and interesting. Somehow, the short - lived experience taught me significant learning: student motivation and instructional aid.

We can find different ways to help our students learn faster and better and while lecture  can be the most commonly used medium, it can be overused and less effective. Thus,we, teachers,  can find ways to be creative in their teaching.

The use of technology like computer, overhead projector, multi - media players and   waterproof cameras   are among the media that teachers can use. But, if school resources don't allow high - end technology, teachers can recycle ordinary materials like calendars for posters, cut pictures for mosaic or field trips can be equally  effective.

Teaching is indeed an art and commitment and when teachers are personally motivated to help their students better, they can make a big difference.

General Santos City Runs Kalilangan

February is a big month for the Generals, the locals of General Santos City.  The city government can only line up activities for the locals and tourists to commemorate the arrival of the city pioneers.

However, this 2011 celebration shall be managed by academic institution Mindanao State University and we can only anticipate for grander celebration this year.

To check the complete scheduled activities, you can click the link.

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12 Feb, Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
Fliprap (Fliptop/ Rap) Screening
Robinsons Place GenSan

13 Feb, Sunday, 2:00 p.m.
AKOSTIK- Barangay ko, Lab Ko Screening
Robinsons Place GenSan

14 Feb, Monday, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Hiphop Lyrical Dance Contest Screening
Robinsons Place GenSan

14 Feb, Monday
Sayaw Pinoy Screening (High School and Elementary Category- Highland and Lowland)
Robinsons Place GenSan

14 Feb, Monday
Kandadapada: Visual Arts Competition
Oval Plaza

16 Feb, Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
Pangalay (Dayang dayang) Screening
Robinsons Place GenSan

16 Feb, Wednesday
‘Banda Layag: Battle of the Bands’ Screening
KCC Mall of GenSan Convention Center

19 Feb, Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
RMN “Go Mindanao for Peace”
Oval Plaza

20-27 Feb
GenSan Camera Club Photo Exhibit
KCC Mall of GenSan

GMA Kapuso Mall Tour
KCC Mall of GenSan

21 Feb, Monday, 1:00 p.m.
‘Hudyat: Recoreda sa Barangay’ Announcement & Invitation

21 Feb, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
Formal Festival OPENING “Kasaysayan, Kultura, Kalilangan”
Oval Plaza

21 Feb, Monday
RPN DXDX Concert with Red Cross ‘Dugong Generals 2’
Oval Plaza

22 Feb, Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.
Farmers Day (Fun walk, Kapihan
IPM Amazing Race
Caratela Parade of Stars
Oval Plaza

22 Feb, Tuesday, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Laro ng Lahi (Junior Category)
Oval Plaza

22 Feb, Tuesday
AKO STIK- Barangay ko, Lab Ko (Acoustic- Brgy Jingle competition)
Oval Plaza

23-24 Feb, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Techno Forum
MSU Graduate School AVR

23 Feb, Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Banda Layag (Battle of the Bands Competition)
Oval Plaza

24 Feb, Thursday, 1:00 p.m.
Traditional Food Expo Competition
Oval Plaza

24 Feb, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.
Tadaman Cultural Showcase
Kulintangan sa Kalilangan
Pangalay – Dayang dayang Competition
Oval Plaza

24 Feb, Thursday, 4:00 p.m.
Traditional Games Exhibition: Sipa sa Mangis
Damlo Anok (audience challenge)
Oval Plaza

24 Feb, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
Kamunamunan: Cultural Night of Remembrance
KCC Mall of GenSan Convention Center

24 Feb, Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Bombo Radyo: Tambalan sa Kantahan sa Kalilangan
Oval Plaza

25 Feb. Friday, 7:00 p.m.
Concert for a Cause
General Santos City Gymnasium

25-26 Feb
Kalilangan Badminton Open
Mr. BigShot Open Badminton Courts

25 Feb, Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Dancesports Workshop

25 Feb, Friday, 9:00 p.m.
RGMA Singing for Peace
Oval Plaza

25 Feb, Friday, 5:00 p.m.
Mga Sayaw Pinoy
Oval Plaza

25 Feb, Friday, 7:00 p.m.
“Tapuk Alingogngog” Street Party
Pres. Jose P. Laurel East Avenue

25 Feb, Friday, 8:00 p.m.
Robinsons Street Party
Robinsons Place GenSan

26 Feb, Saturday, 6:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
1st Motorcycle Grand Prix
Robinsons Place GenSan

26 Feb, Saturday, 10:00 a.m.
National Dancesports Competition

26 Feb, Saturday, 1:00 p.m.
Gymkhana Invitational Open (HONDA)
Mabuhay I.T. Park

26 Feb, Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
Boxing at the Park
PBA Sports Center (Oval Plaza Covered Court)

26 Feb, Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
Hiphop Lyrical Dance Contest
Oval Plaza

26 Feb, Saturday
Human Beatbox Showdown
Oval Plaza

26 Feb, Saturday, 9:00 p.m.
Globe Concert
Oval Plaza

26 Feb, Saturday, 5:00 p.m.
Robinsons Celebrity Mall Show
Robinsons Place GenSan

27 Feb, Sunday, 6:00 a.m.
Salubongan/Wreath Laying
Plaza Heneral Santos

27 Feb, Sunday
Powerade Cheerleading Competition
General Santos City Gymnasium

27 Feb, Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
RPN “Dugong Generals 2”
Robinsons Place GenSan

27 Feb, Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
National Mt. Bike Downhill Challenge 2011
Leyson Ranch, Nopol Hills

27 Feb, Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
Kadsagayan sa Kalilangan (Street Dance Competition)
Pioneer Avenue

27 Feb, Sunday, 4 p.m.
“Tagbuan sa Kalilangan” (Closing Program)
Oval Plaza

27 Feb, Sunday, 7:00 p.m.
KCC Concert Show
KCC Mall of GenSan Convention Center

27 Feb, Sunday, 7:00 p.m.
“Kasadya sa Kadalanan” (Street Party)
Pioneer Avenue

Events with incomplete details will be updated soon. Schedules may change without prior notice. Please check this page regularly for updates.

source: http://www.gensantos.gov.ph 

Uplifting Teacher Competencies

I have been hurdling through reading chapters after chapters of Java Programming to prepare for Faculty Competency Exams given to STI teaching personnel.

This has been the culture of STI's educational system since my first year of teaching in 2000. However, back then, I had to pass the qualifying exam first before teaching the subject. These days, teachers can be a given at least a semester to master the subject before taking the big exam.

The qualifying exam can be quite a burden but this is one control to make sure that member schools of STI in local and national levels  follow strictly the prescribed courseware.

So, should I not pass, I just have to leave my teaching job and do better but I can only wish to pass the exam with flying honors.

Intrinsic Motivation: Your Way to Success

Having been an honor student since grade school to graduate school proves that with determination and focus, anything is possible. And, living my passion for teaching, writing, social responsiveness, business, and programming seems to affirm that I have accomplished much. But, there were days that I get drained and depressed of what I lack of  or have to accomplish. So, when I attended a seminar on Artificial Intelligence, I was all recharged and inspired to continue my masteral studies.

Intrinsic motivation plays a major drive in earning success. A few  may be lucky that they are born with silver spoon but for most individuals, emotional quotient (EQ) makes a difference.

So, how do we get inspired? We can look up to success stories, wisdom and art prints of great people.

Work or school is never easy but when we live out a positive attitude towards whatever endeavor at hand, anything is simply possible.

Kong Hei Fat Choi Everyone!

Myspace Comments

College Days on the Run

Since Tuesday, our school, STI – GenSan, has been holding college days with a number of events and competitions for students from different levels.

As teachers, we can only be more relaxed from the long weeks of teaching and checking of papers. But, after midterm exams, we are now required to submit our midterm grades. I am only relieved to have submitted my grades and the other requirement before my travel tomorrow.

With a week of extra – curricular activities, the students and teachers can get re-energized and shall be all up for next week’s formal classes again.