The Real Hero: Penelope or Helen?

Posted by keeara
(source:google photos)
        Beautiful. Respectable. Loving. Faithful. What more could a husband ask for? Odysseus was fortunate enough that amongst all Penelope's suitors, she chose him to be her husband and be the king of her kingdom. Penelope on the other hand, gave back the love Odysseus gave by being loving and faithful to him. She was patient and always ready to fight for what she believes is right. Even kings from richer kingdoms came to court her, her faith in the return of her never faded. She kept holding on to the promise of her husband no matter how hard it is to wait for someone you do not know when will return. Though faced with a lot of hardships during the 20 years of waiting for her husband, she did not lose strength to still carry on living and caring for her son, Telemachus and her kingdom, Ithaca. 


(source:google photos)
  Being the daughter of a god does have it pros and cons. Helen was a proof of that. She has ethereal beauty beyond compare and which no man could resist. At first, it was worth bragging about, but later, it became a dilemma as men fought over the right to have her hand in marriage. But no matter how many men court her, she had eyes only for Paris - her one true love. They defied the gods and their own fate by eloping to Troy. And that later caused a great grief for a lot of people as many lives were put to an end for a selfish purpose.


   These two women can be compared in numerous ways. Their beauty, their simplicity, their royal bloods and most significantly, their deep love for the one man fate destined for them to love. They had no second thoughts about who they should love among their many suitors. However, it was Penelope who was more perceptive about life and the consequences one can suffer from their choices. Helen was the one who always gets what she wants. She was spoiled and was child-like when she was young. Her family loves her; but the death of her soon-to-be king brother, Pollux, brought about the anger of her father, Tyndareus to her. This leap of fate made her more mature; however, not changing her perspective in life that things are not done rashly. It should be weighed first and then thought about a million times before finally doing it.

    Helen was the exact opposite of Penelope in a way. Penelope was more open-minded, or should we say, more experienced in life than Helen. And Penelope was not the one who made a rush decision and regretted it later on. 


   For me, Penelope was more of a protagonist than Helen. Penelope knew what the most important things were and she knew how to handle these things correctly. Unlike Helen, who was always driven by her passion and love for the wrong person at a very wrong time. Helen was even the cause of a great war and the death of millions of innocent people. If I were Helen, I would not cause such a devastation to Troy and the other involved kingdoms even if it is because of love.
   
    Another reason why Penelope, for me, is the protagonist, is her loyalty to her husband. She loved him very much and made him feel happy to have her as a wife. As for Helen, I could not say so, she left her husband Menelaus for Paris (the son of an enemy). Helen did not stay faithful to her husband. But, even if she does not love her husband, it is not reason enough to leave someone who has put so much trust into you. For betraying someone just for the sake of never having to lose the one you love, is the most selfish thing a person could do. 


   Remember, do what your mind tells you is the right thing and never ever base your decisions solely on your heart. For the heart decides what will give it pleasure, and the mind decides on what will make you wiser and stronger.
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Is Love Enough?

Posted by keeara
THEIR PASSION IGNITED WAR AND DESTROYED AN EMPIRE. - Helen of Troy

             (image source : yahoo.com)    
      The love Paris and Helen had, was eternal. It was pure and true. But however indefinite their love seemed to go, fate was against them.
                         (source : yahoo.com)
       Helen’s coming to Troy brought about the destruction of the great city. Worst of all, the destruction was brought by someone who is ruthless and evil. Lives were lost. Families were destroyed. The future became uncertain as a ten-year war broke through. But is love enough to create such huge havoc? Is love enough to have the blood of innocent people be spilled for ones selfish gratifications?
        
        My answer is no. Love is not reason enough to do such monstrous things. "Love is more than three words mumbled before bedtime. Love is sustained by action, a pattern of devotion in the things we do for each other every day." [Nicholas Sparks]. Love makes someone become selfless and giving. But not selfless enough that the death of other people in your own hands means nothing. Loving someone means letting go no matter how much it hurts; no matter how much it kills you to see her happy with someone else.

     If I were Helen, would I go with Paris to Troy?
  
      Hard as it may seem to part ways with the one you love, my answer is NO. Escaping from your God-given fate is like venturing out into a raging fire without any protection. You would not know how it will turn out nor will you know what consequences lie ahead.You may end up being deeply hurt or worse, dead. 
  
     Love is not reason enough to make fast and hard decisions in life. It may be just the product of the delusions many passions bring. It clouds peoples' minds and makes them do things without thinking it through first.  

     When life offers you a choice so hard to decide upon, you cannot help but choose to follow your heart over your mind. It is the heart that doesn't think and the mind that doesn't love they say. But is it not better to live knowing that the future you are to face is safe and certain than take chances and put your future to jeopardy? 

     A long and happy life is enough to last you through a lifetime. And as Clytemnestra said in the movie, Helen of Troy, "Yes, they are hard men but it is possible to love them." Helen could have learned to love Menelaus if she hadn't rushed into eloping with Paris. Lives will be saved and Helen would not suffer emotionally the loss of the one she loved - Paris.

Love has a way of cheating itself consciously, like a child who plays at solitary hide-and-seek; it is pleased with assurances that it all the while disbelieves.
-George Eliot
Love starts with a hug, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear.
-Anonymous
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When The Best is not just Good Enough

Posted by keeara
   The week-long Founding Celebration of the Taytay United Methodist Christian School was commenced by a Joint Worship Service attended by Elementary and High School students and staff, and few parents. The Valentine's Day service was a thanksgiving to God for giving the school 26 years of blessings and success.
   February 15, students and teachers paraded around the school's vicinity showing their freshly-made jerseys and banners. The opening ceremony was held after the ten-minute parade. Principal Cayetano gave her opening remarks and the torch was lit, by Juzzrand Jimena for the yellow team, Jeff Francisco for the green team and Neil De Jesus for the blue team.
    The Mr. and Ms. Intramural followed suit. Handsome boys and gorgeous girls clad in their best sports attires flocked the multi-purpose gym. The judges were amused as they walked the runway and answered the 'hard' questions given to them.
   The title, Ms. Intramural, was given to Cj Delgado of III-Leah. Patricia Camonayan (I-Luke), the youngest and tallest of the candidates, takes the 1st prize. And Pauline Lachica(IV-Solomon), the shy yet charming girl won the 2nd prize.
  The title Mr. Intramural, on the other hand was given to Jeff Francisco of III-Leah. Evan Garcia's 'charming' face seemed to capture the judges approval as he was pronounced the 1st runner-up. Sean Santiago's confidence made him bag the 2nd runner-up.
   Later that afternoon, the field demonstrations were held. The first years brought rounds of laughter to the audience as they showed the presentations they have prepared. The second year's performance seemed to have shown their wasted practice-time. The third years managed to wow the judges with their well-thought-of dances. The fourth years, of course, did not let the  younger year levels outshine them. Their performance brought rounds of applause by the audience.
  The following days were sports events where students showed-off their physical skills in different ball games: basketball, volleyball and badminton. 
  The tension between teams were almost unbearable to watch. Students were hooting for their teams and the players were using all means to win. Some players cheat the referees and even some referees cheat the committee for their favorites to win. Injuries were inevitable during the games, especially in basketball. However, even if the players give their best,it is sometimes just not good enough. 
   In the end, everyone's hard work was awarded as the best players and teams were given cash prizes (a first in TU history).
Losing teams found that defeat is just unavoidable. But defeat does not always mean failure. It sometimes just means that your best is not just good enough. 
  
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