"in focus" seminar

Dear Friends,

The Philippines' Free Inquiry Group Inc. cordially invites you, your organization/s and friends to participate in our projects for October to December 2008.

The Free Inquiry Group Inc., in cooperation with Strategic Programs for the Advancement of Research and Knowledge (SPARK), Wordtext Systems Inc. (WSI), PUP Lounge, and the Korea-Philippines Information Technology Training Center, will be conducting a seminar-workshop on photojournalism and alternative media on November 8, 2008 (Saturday). We also have an ongoing photography contest until November 8. To showcase our seminar outputs, we will launch a web site and hold photo exhibits in schools in December.

The Free Inquiry Group Inc. is a discussion club that promotes free search for knowledge as well as innovative expression of ideas. Incorporators of the club hail from student organizations, civil society formations, the academe, and independent enterprises.

Our seminar-workshop aims to gather 150 to 200 participants from schools, NGOs, small enterprises, community media organizations, photography clubs, and individual hobbyists. Aside from offering participants with knowledge, skills and tips that will help enhance their capabilities in photojournalism and their chosen advocacies, the seminar also aims to promote camaraderie among the participants. The photography contest and campus exhibits aim to convey the creative ideas and outputs of participants to a wider audience via the world wide web and the schools where student organizations or associations may opt to host.

Please feel free to contact us for more information (email free.inquiry.group@gmail.com).

We are hoping for your confirmation and participation in our activities.

Thank you.

Brought to you by

Free Inquiry Group Inc.

In cooperation with

Kor-Phil Information Technology Training Center
> a partnership for ICT advancement
673 Quirino Hi-Way, QCPU Compound, Novaliches, QC. http://www.korphil.ph/

Strategic Programs for the Advancement of Research and Knowledge (SPARK) Inc.
> a software and hardware solutions provider

Wordtext Systems Inc. (WSI)
> distributor of Adobe, Corel and Kodak brands

PUP Lounge
> students and alumni of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila




PS: Registration fee is only P250 per participant, to cover cost of lunch, venue and info kits.

updates

The seminar was rescheduled to November 2008 in order to accommodate more participants from schools, organizations and interested individuals. The Photo Contest is extended until November 5. The photo exhibits and web site launching for selected photos will be held some time in December. Please email your queries and concerns to free.inquiry.group@gmail.com. Thank you.

updates from the organizing committee

40 Tips for a Better Life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to___ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of warm water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. GOD heals almost everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!) Hey I am thinking of ya! =)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for _____. Today I accomplished _____.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.

May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. May nothing but happiness come through your door!

photo contest

You're invited! Join na po kayo dito and earn hundreds of pogi / ganda points! Inspiring at saka socially-relevant pa! *Minimal fees are intended to fund the upcoming seminar and photo exhibits. Please repost :) Thanks!

from the blog Lightsandshade

Photography Contest Guidelines

1. The contest is open to all Filipino enthusiasts, hobbyists and amateur/non-professional photographers. A participant must not be a member of any professional photography association or mainstream media outlet.
2. Registration fees are pegged at P100 for enrolled students and P200 for other participants (employed, unemployed, with income, etc.)
3. A maximum of three (3) entries per category from each participant will be accepted. Entries may be in black & white (grayscale) and / or full color, digital photos in *.jpg format only.
4. Submitted Photos, unpublished in print and in cyberspace, should be shot/ taken within the Philippines during the July 1 to August 30 contest period.
5. “Philippine Society, Crises and Opportunities” shall be the theme. Photos must be “live” (not arranged or scripted), and can depict scenes from the streets or commonplace environment or unusual events.

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