Thesis blog 11: Hindi Lahat (Not All)

Below is a reflection poem I wrote last December 2005 during Philippine fieldwork after all the interviews with youth, parents and teachers and focus groups (youth) were done in two case study sites for my istambay thesis. Originally, I wrote this poem in Filipino but I personally translated it into English as this (possibly) would [...]

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Thesis blog 11: Istambay and the higher odds of smoking and drinking

Over the last few days, I have been thinking about why istambays smoke and drink a lot. After analyzing my data, I find it too simple to say that the reason why they engage into these socially-problematized behaviours is just mainly due to their lack of work and employment. The effect of gender in the [...]

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Thesis blog 10: Happy crunching numbers

While I fully enjoy writing the qualitative part of my thesis, yesterday morning, I find it difficult to do quantitative analysis. I do not think in numbers but my adviser and my friend Margaret have always been patient in teaching me the rudiments of social statistics since 2002.  Amongst the many multivariate analytical techniques, I [...]

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Damaging flood in the Philippines and my research site

Yesterday morning, I was interviewed by Don Connolly and Elizabeth Logan on their radio program, Information Morning at CBC Radio One (90.5) about the damaging flood that struck the Philippines last September 26. (Click the image to go to my website and listen to the radio clip.) While the condition of my family and relatives [...]

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Thesis 9: Dreaming thesis defence

I woke up at 4:00am smiling. I felt a mixed feeling of excitement and happiness. I dreamt that I successfully defended my thesis. I was so happy sharing this news to my Mama Volet and my aunt, Mommy Margie. The exchange of emotions was so ecstatic that it aroused my consciousness. I am just dreaming. [...]

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