ABOUT THE TERM "YUPPIE"

The term yuppie (short for "young urban professional" or "young upwardly-mobile professional")refers to an 1980s and early 1990s term for financially secure, upper-middle class young people in their 20s and early 30s.

Although the term yuppies had not appeared until the early 1980s, there was discussion about young urban professionals as early as 1968.

Critics believe that the demand for "instant executives" has led some young climbers to confuse change with growth. One New York consultant comments, "Many executives in their 20s and 30s have been so busy job-hopping that they've never developed their skills. They're apt to suffer a sudden loss of career impetus and go into a power stall."

In a 1985 issue of The Wall Street Journal, Theressa Kersten at SRI International described a "yuppie backlash" by people who fit the demographic profile yet express resentment of the label "You're talking about a class of people who put off having families so they can make payments on the BMWs ... To be a Yuppie is to be a loathsome undesirable creature". Leo Shapiro, a market researcher in Chicago, responded, "Stereotyping always winds up being derogatory. It doesn't matter whether you are trying to advertise to farmers, Hispanics or Yuppies, no one likes to be neatly lumped into some group".

MUSLIM YUPPIES MAKING DIFFERENCE

A group of young Muslim professionals is putting peace on the agenda in the Philippines - with promising results.

The Young Moro Professionals are the first to admit they face an imposing challenge. Media stereotypes, frustrations with political leadership and a culture of victimisation are only some of the obstacles confronting this group of young Muslims from the Philippines - but they are undaunted.

Formed in 2000, the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN) is a group of lawyers, doctors, journalists and other highly educated young people who are trying to correct misconceptions of Muslim communities while improving opportunities and end the ongoing conflict in southern Philippines, which has claimed thousands of lives.

YMPN formed in 2000 to encourage the young Muslim community to seek peace through self-empowerment. This group of self-styled "Muslim yuppies" now has about 100 members involved in peace building in the Philippines. Most are from the Muslim-majority Moro ethnic group originating in the south of the country.

Twelve YMPN members outlined their latest aspirations at a recent meeting supported by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Manila in August. Representatives from Philippines development and policy organisations also joined the discussion. Participants hope the meeting will lead to long-term cooperation on Muslim youth programs.

The frustrations facing many Muslims in the Philippines were a major part of debate. According to YMPN member Zarah Kathleen Alih, media stereotyping and poor media coverage of Muslim peace efforts remain a major problem. "As a Moro [from the southern Philippines], at times it is difficult to prove that we can also [achieve peace, especially women]," Zarah said.

Fellow participant and YMPN member Assad Baunto said the Muslim community needed to overcome a culture of victimisation and start speaking out more strongly.

"We should stop playing victim. We should stop the feeling of helplessness," he said. "Give legitimate criticism to leaders who are not worthy."

Said fellow YMPN member Rasol Mitmug, Jr: "Our locals [in southern Philippines] want leaders who would take care of them. They want good governance, they want a sensitive society which they don't find from the Philippines government, that's why these people are struggling. We should know our people better."

But in Catholic-majority Philippines, the Young Moro Professionals Network appreciates that it needs to look beyond the Muslim community for their work to have a greater impact. The meeting agreed that Mindanao, in southern Philippines, was not for Muslims alone - young Muslim professionals needed to be sensitive to non-Muslims and live peacefully with them.

Some of the YMPN's planned projects apply to people from outside the Islamic community. As participant Al-Nasser Kasim, pointed out, improving education opportunities in southern Philippines would benefit all, not only Muslims.

One YMPN member, Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal, is now studying an AIM Masters in Development through a scholarship grant from the Asian Development Bank. Aleem, who participated in the AMAN School of Peace Studies in early 2007, will help link young Muslim leaders with organisations to build understanding.

Written by Riza Kamal -a YMPN member and journalist working for GMA, a leading Philippines news network.

A CHAT WITH THE YUPPIES' MUSE

THE moment you saw her,

A TOUGH LOOKING YOUNG WOMAN
A GORGEOUS SHARP EYED
A SNOB PRETTY FACE
A STERN INTELLECTUAL AURA
A TYPICAL EARTH ROOTED WOMAN
A STRAIGHT FOWARD
A ROCK CHIC
AN ANGSTY
what else? Tell me and let's find out!
FOR - you're may be right and you're may be wrong.

It's amazing that
students who've gone through her hands,..
when hears her name would say "ahh yesss si Ma'am Ai!!?" "waaahh grabbbeee na xa." "oi ganahan jud ko ana' nya!" "sh*#! she's the best!"..,yes! a dozen of bag of reactions and compliments....Some wanted to be under her the next sem while others dread the chance to be her student. hahaha A very interesting individuality, so many said so...

So as we love her so much,..
We let her speak in her behalf,
and she goes...

Yes, you could say I'm Dr Jykyll and Hyde.
I just loathe attention - I hate the limelight ...ugh!
I'm almost O.C
I'm not a pleaser
I hate maniacs! I hate it when I'm stared at the eyes unguarded.
I hate being shouted at, when I'm in my most sincere, calm and solemn state.
I hate dirt, garbage, but I recycle and I'm resourceful.
I'm very irksome and I hate it. At the end of the day, after all those hurtful words
I've said to anybody, especially my students, my heart bleeds for them
(really, I mean that).

I'm very good follower, not a good leader.
I prefer to be alone most of the time - drinking a book and reading coffee.
I don't want to hurt anybody, "even if everybody hurts sometimes" (I'm sorry)
I love to love but I don't want to be loved.
I'm not jealous type, but if I get jealous (then that must mean something)
I lot a people want to read me... (thank goodness I'm a good actor, they can't.)
Things I create? I give them to people as gifts. Or I burn those creations. hehe
I'm a late bookworm (hehehe), but i'm catching up.. The pace of turtles...tsk
I'm a huge fan of James Patterson and Paulo Coelho.
I've always wanted to be a stage-actor.
I've always wanted to be a farmer/gardener/painter/poet (hehe)
I never thought I'd be teaching.

I think I'd be a very effective elementary teacher. I'd spoil kids (I've spoiled
nephews and nieces and I've spoiled yet smart English major kids), I'd be the
first to cry when they get mad and hurt.
If I've lots fo money, I'd be traveling around the country first before visiting foreign places.
Friends? I choose my friends. I've a lot of acquaintances but really few friends who I considerably trust the most.
Why am I close to students? ( NOt all of them though) Figure this out: I had fights with
bullies in elementary up to high-school. I had to-be-priests classmates,
bookworm- alternative rock band members/ colleagues, Lindsay Lohans, and inspiring
2nd parent-professors ( one, a not so ordinary priests).
I listen to Wolfgang, Lifehouse, Coldplay, Incubus, The Original E-heads, Gavin Degraw, Babyface, Matchbox 20, Alanis, Paramita, Beatles, and lots fo New Wave hits...
Soundtrack of my life as of now? Time of Your Life by Greenday.

"---- Kurt C0Bained ---"

This rock icon never dies in the heart of the ones who belonged in "generation X"..,

Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20,1967- April 5, 1994) was the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the Seattle-based rock band Nirvana. In 1991, the arrival of its "Smells like Teen Spirit" marked the beginning of a dramatic shift of popular rock music away from the dominant genres of the 1980s (glam metal, arena rock, and dance-pop) and toward grunge and alternative rock. The music media eventually awarded the song "anthem-of-a-generation" status and with it, Cobain ascended as the reluctant "spokesman" for the said Generation X.

Ozzy, an online friend from Cebu - named after Ozzy Osbourne by his Black Sabbath fanatic father, wished he was named after Kurt's. A 27 years old, a Philosophy instructor at University of Cebu was one of the 5th batch product of my beloved school in secondary - The Sisters of Mary (hehe just wanna share). He told me that his profession and personal stuffs such as music types, fashion statements and beliefs, never interrupted his relationship to his students. He even plays guitar and sings with his students who are his neighbor. They talked openly about anything but assures his credibility as a teacher is still there. He described himself as Kurt Cobained- where consciously Cobain's songs were eating his mind. Although a philosophy degree holder, he admitted he agreed with Kurt Cobain at some points but not just the idea of committing suicide. Just like Cobain's famous quote

"it's better to burn out, than to fade away.."

Ozzy Abellana, is really a cool young professional working on some part of him to be more competent enough in his profession. He said, everyday is an opportunity for him to develop things better and a chance to explore the vagueness of the world - various wonders, ideas, opinions and realities. For him, young professionals don't need to be struggling of becoming somebody else just to look fine with the tagged of their professions, but instead they only need to be just who they are and work a part of them to be good. Living life to the fullest in your very own, is the best thing you could be proud of for yourself.

yuppies sOooon!!!

These photos were taken at Bukidnon last Febuary 07 during our fieldtrip.

Bukidnon is really awesome guys! A typical humble and modest place. Instructive signages of values are great learning on the way.

We seized it's crooked up and down slopes of road. Along the way, we saw aftermaths of crashed heavy loaded trucks and other vehicles. Yes, its dangerous to reckless drivers. I've got to be seemed spell bounded as beautiful views of mountains towering each other and bragging over the timid valleys. With my eyes widened hard to savor every sceneries of clouds capping the peaks of every highiest mountains, made me whispered "God thanks for letting me experience such wonders of your creations.".

But the most remarkable thing about this trip to me and I guess with my co-majors also, was our face-to-face encounter with the Sumilao Farmers. We were able to interview them and got different sides of stories. i felt my nerves untangling by talking to them at that time. I've seen visions inside my mind that pictures us (co-majors) as dedicated and sincere journalists. I've seen the passion, sincerity and sympathy in each of us, while listening to farmers.

A YOUNG WOMAN OF DEEP INSIDES

You're of no escape from her childish enticing smile. She's loud and talks everything, from clean to dirty. hahaha

This cousin of mine, Ms.Kannex Donaire Bongolo is a graduate of BS International Relation just last October 2008 with a considered flying colors of grades.

Now, at the age of 21, she's teaching the course (BS IR) at the NORMICIST. I can't imagine how she looks and sounds in front of her students. Her thin, sharp and quirky voice; her mannerism of twisting her body with her arms at the back in a so kid way- it's like, ahhh so neophyte.

I remember her looking so doomed before her graduation. Questions and doubts seemed to snoozed her mind that day over and over. She was scared of how's her story and challenges gonna roll in the next chapter of her life. The issue of underemployment due to global recession primarily worried her. She was thinking of so many things, including the studies of her siblings and the financial sustainability of her family. Hmmm, eldest child syndrome hehehe.

In her fragile feature and meek expressions in her face, you wouldn't thought she's as strong as a stone wall. A young woman of deep insides and a doctor in any aspect to her self,is one of the intelligence I admired her the most. Being independent, confident but humble, that's my ate kannex is. She's may often sick but always on the track. An ordinary but extraordinary in her own way. Always in a happy mode despite of the pressures and shock our time caters.