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The Art of Being a Polyglot (And How I Wish I Were One)

THE art of being a polyglot

AN EDITORIAL

Sometimes, I just wish I had a photographic memory like Sherlock’s. Oh the possibilities that it entails! Your brain will such be a powerful database and pulling data out would be so simple. You’d never forget anything. And one BIG advantage of it as well is that you can become a polyglot.

Jose Rizal, Philippines’ national hero is one. He could speak 22 different languages at ease (how he found the time and resources to do it back when there was no Internet, I’ll never know) and was very intellectual. I can just imagine that he had no problem traveling around Europe and meeting people and talking to them.

Having come from a country where everyone speaks English and where most of the ABC market would rather speak English than Filipino (hello, self!), I was never good at speaking my country’s language. Let’s not forget the fact that I’m also Chinese with the pressure of learning Mandarin embedded in my brain since I was young so I had to learn 2 Chinese dialects as well. But my love for English was stronger and I embraced anything English. I wanted to be English. I wasn’t exactly the most nationalistic citizen.

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Cayoneering Badian

Should the Canyoneering In Badian, Cebu Be Suspended?

Recently I saw this article that mentioned that Canyoneering in Badian, Cebu will be suspended soon because of the recent accidents that have happened to tourists. For those unfamiliar with canyoneering, it’s an adrenaline-pumping activity for daredevils that involves walking, climbing, jumping (LOTS of it), more walking, swimming and slipping. And for Badian, you have to traverse the trail starting with a 20-foot waterfall jump and ending it with a 35-ft one.

WHOOOOOEEEYYYY WHOOAHH OMG.

I can be a daredevil sometimes because I love crazy rollercoasters and I have climbed grade 3 mountains before but I am really not keen on activities that have a high percentage of risk (on my life). I need to know if I am safe at all times when doing the activity. Just like a rollercoaster, I tend to ask questions such as what is the safety history of this rollercoaster? Are safety equipment in place when performing the activity? What precautions should I consider?

Yes I am a worry wart but a responsible one I’d like to think so.

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