Bakit Nanghuhusga Ang Mga Tao sa Kapwa?

Judgement | Delta  Enduring Tarot

          Ang paghuhusga ay nasa tao. Bawat isa sa atin ay nanghuhusga pero hindi kita masisisi. Minsan ang gating paghusga sa isang tao ay tama at minsan ito rin ay mali, lalong lalo na kapag ang taong ito ay hindi kilala. Bilang tao, nararamdaman namin ang hindi maiiwasang paghikayat na hatulan ang mga tao bilang mabuti o masama, tama o mali. Ang paghuhusga ay nabibigay sa atin ng mga instincts. Minsan ito ang sumasalba sa atin sa panganib. Iyan ay isa mga bunga ng paghuhusga na maganda pero marami rin itong masamang resulta na nakakasakit ng mga tao. Bakit ba naghuhusga ang isang tao sa kapwa?

What does Different even mean?

          Ang pinaka una na nakikita natin ay ang hitsura ng tao kaya dito natin sila unang hinuhusgahan. Ang taong ito ay maaaring maging napakabuti ngunit dahil sila ay kumilos o tumingin sa isang tiyak na paraan ng isang tao ay maaaring hatulan sila ng mali. Mayroong mga tao na napopoot sa isang tao kahit hindi sila nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makilala ang mga ito. Maaaring ang mga tao ay naiingit at iba pa. Ito ay malungkot ngunit totoo. Kaya ngayon, ang mga tao ay nag popokus ng masyado sa kanilang mga mukha dahil dito sila unang hinuhusgahan.

Morality By Helen Keller

         Ayon sa Social Psych, ang tao ay hinuhusgahan sa tatlong paraan. Ayon sa kanilang moralidad, sa kanilang pakikipagkapwa at sa kanilang kakayahan. Sa tatlo, ang naguuna ay ang moralidad. Mas gusto ng mga tao ang mga karakter na moral kaysa sa mga imoral na karakter. Hindi ito masyadong nakakagulat, dahil ang importante sa atin ay ang katangian ng moral ng isang tao. Sa pakikipag kapwa naman, hinuhusgahan ang pagiging mapagkatiwala ng isang tao, hinuhusgahan natin sila batay sa kung gaano ang pakikitungo nila sa ibang tao sa mga paraan upang maisulong ang mga magiliw na relasyon at ang huli, ang kanilang kakayahan at katalinohan. Hinuhusgahan natin ang mga ito batay sa kung kaya nating isipin na ang tao ay nakamit ang kanyang mga hangarin. Tuwing hinuhusgahan mo ang katalinuhan, kasanayan, at kumpiyansa ng isang tao.

You can make a difference: Just open your eyes

             ‘We don’t see the world as it is. We see the world as we are.’ Nagkakaroon tayo ng tama at na paghuhusga. Minsan ito ay malaking tulong sa atin at minsan ita rin ay nakakapagsakit ng isang tao. Ang mga tao ay naghuhusga. Iyan ay nasa ating DNA. Kung kahit ano man yan, itago mo yan sa iyong sarili. Sabihin mo lang kapang hinihingi ito. Isipin mo na ang taong hinuhusgahan mo ay mag kwento rin kaya hindi dapat ikaw ang gumagawa ng huli nito. 

Photo Credits:

      Google Images

       Pinterest

Brewed In Confusion

Brewed In Confusion by jcogtas

            I am a mystery to myself. People may not be able to say the same for me but I guess they know better. People wonder about me, trying to see see through me and they claim that they succeed but I can say otherwise. I wonder about the same thing just as much as everyone. It's not that I'm claiming that most people always think of me but when they do, we both are in deep. I'm confused and a stranger to my own self. With the people that surrounds me, brewed in confusion. I'm in the same hole as everyone trying to swim out of it but either way, I'll stay here and continue to try. 

             With the thought if someone can possibly not know who they are, I completely agree. Our minds are just filled with questions we can't seem to answer.

               Being confused is normal. It happens to us most of the time but when it happens constantly about things that you should be certain about, its makes you ask the question "Why do we get confused". The philosophy behind confusion is that confusion is necessary in the process of learning. If you are never confused, there is no incentive to do anything other than what you already know. There is no grounds for curiosity, no opening for discussion, nothing except a kind of authoritative dictum in which nothing ever really changes. Does that mean our confusion towards everything is completely normal?  We all know that confusion doesn’t feel good. The human brain is a pattern-recognition machine. It evolved to identify related events or artifacts and connect them into a meaningful whole. This capacity serves us well in many of our endeavors, from recognizing the underlying themes in literature, to understanding the deep structure of a scientific or mathematical problem, to anticipating hidden complications and seeing their solutions in our work. Every time we  get confused, we get to learn something from seeking answers for our confusion. It get tiring, I know but every time we answer a question in our heads, we are a step closer to the answer of our existence. It's incredible how we still need to be in agony to reach ecstasy but if you don't sow, you don't reap.

                 People say they  know me very well and all I can say is that "Good for you!".  It's cool how they know me better than I do. My confusion is as deep as the ocean and people think they can swim right out of it. The only difference with this quote and my situation is that, I tend to find the answer and solution all by myself. I don't believe that we need companions in every step we take in life. I want that on that very step it will be me and only me on there. It sounds completely selfish but this is my milestone and I want to be the one who gets claim it. It's my problem, let me solve it myself. I don't plan to involve other people in such. I believe that it is only in solitude that a person can see deeply his/her inner self, potentials, limitations and weaknesses. One learns to rise from where he/she has fallen when isolated. I guess you can consider me a bit of an introvert but I enjoy it like that, plus the fact that I'm also a melancholic makes me really wanna do things myself because of my perfectionism. If you want things to get done right, do it yourself. I want to claim that victory myself.  I don't want other people saying that they found me when it was all me. I want to be the victor of my own life.

                 This quotation states that I don't have similar understanding of myself like other people do. If you are perplexed because of me, then I'm perplexed because of me too. We both are in the same hole and we can't seem to swim right of it. I'm just as deep down as a everyone. Everyone is confused because of me and no one seems to be able to answer that quickly but even in the midst of confusion, I will be staying in this world with everyone else, square or a rectangle, trying to find me. That's the only certainty in my mind.

                    In the popular culture, I'm sure other teenager are just as confused as me. We just don't know anything about life anymore. This personality is not unique. It is a mental crisis and all of the symptoms are kinda similar to what the quote is actually tackling about. Identity crisis' are common between teenagers.  An Identity Crisis is a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to a change in their expected aims or role in society. An Identity Crisis makes you question your identity. You get to experience great personal conflict due to the questioning of who you are or your role in society. Mostly when big changes have recently occurred that have affected your sense of self. You’ll be questioning things such as your values, spirituality, beliefs, interests, or career path that have a major impact on how you see yourself.  And lastly, being in search of your meaning, reason, or your passion in life. It’s completely normal to question who you are, especially since we change throughout our lives. However, when it begins to affect your daily thinking or functioning, you may be having an identity crisis.
                
                    That's life. It's perplexing. It's puzzling. It's confusing but what can we do other than make the most of it? It's crazy in this world. The only thing I would do differently  is where I would find my way on my own because I always saw life better like that. I prefer it that way. In the steams of confusion, make it an approach for you to pursue knowledge in a way. See the light in the darkness life has brought to us. It will make a better view of the agony we have always lived in. 


References:

• Jcogtasquotes 2019, Brewed In Confusion Available from: <https://jcogtasquotes.blogspot.com/2019/11/brewed-in-confusion.html> [8 December 2019] 
• Healthline 2018, What’s an Identity Crisis and Could You Be Having One? Available from:<https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/identity-crisis>[8 December 2019] 
• Nova 2013, The Science of Smart: The Virtues of Confusion Available from:<https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/the-science-of-smart-the-virtues-of-confusion/> [8 December 2019]                                
• Quora 2016, What's the science behind confusion? Available from:< https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-science-behind-confusion> [8 December 2019] 
• Collins 2019, Identity Crisis Available from: <https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/identity-crisis> [8 December 2019]                                                                               

The Trojan Horse: An Echo

The Trojan Horse from the film Malta Gladiator Gladiator

                   The Wooden Horse. The Trojan Horse. The Victory Weapon of the Spartans. The only reason why we know who the victor is from 10 year Trojan War. 

                     In the tenth year of the Trojan War, despairing at their inability to take the city by storm, the Greeks resorted to a cunning little stratagem.  The central part of the plan devised by who else but Odysseus included the construction of an enormous wooden horse. Almost everybody knows why it had been built and who lay hidden inside the hollow belly of the statue.  Once the Wooden Horse had been built, Odysseus proceeded to persuade the bravest and the most skillful of the Greek warriors present at Troy to climb, fully armed, into its belly. Some say that there were 23 of them, while others speculate with numbers between 30 and 50. Either way, one thing is for sure, it's one big horse. 

              
               It's bizarre how they didn't suspect such kindness from the enemies. If I were the Troys, I probably would have. We even question random gifts from strangers, how much more if it's from the enemies of 10 year battle. There will always be an ulterior motive. People always want something in return. They just don't randomly do good stuff for people. It's very debatable but for sure, it's not just me. They want to make you feel like you owe them something because in that way, it makes it easier for them to ask you favors. But besides the idea, it's cool how Odysseus thought of such strategy. After all, it is the winning strategy.

            
               The point of such strategy is that, things and people aren't what they seem. There will be a greater or lesser story to everything. Don't trust easily. It will result to such destruction. Don't be a fool the Troys were but be as wise as the Spartans. 

References:

•    Greek Mythology 2019, The Trojan Horse Available from         <https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/The_Trojan_Horse/the_trojan_horse.html. [31 October 2019]
•  Encyclopedia Britannica 2019, Trojan Horse Available from: <https://www.britannica.com/topic/Trojan-horse> [31 October 2019]

The Death of Achilles: An Echo

The Death of Achilles by Peter Paul Ruben

           The Death of Achilles really seems like it was calibrated. Achilles was extraordinarily strong, courageous, loyal and everything you'd want to be as a warrior. The only thing that makes him different from the others is his mortality but still, no one thought Achilles could die anytime soon. 

     According to myths and stories composed long after the Iliad, Thetis was extraordinarily concerned about her baby son’s mortality. She did everything she could to make him immortal. She burned him over a fire every night, then dressed his wounds with ambrosial ointment; and she dunked him into the River Styx, whose waters were said to confer the invulnerability of the gods. Of all the things they tried, one seemed to work. The River Styx, the waters who were thought to be the the savior of Achilles' mortality. However, Thetis gripped him tightly by the foot as she dipped him into the river, so tightly that the water never touched his heel. As a result, Achilles was invulnerable everywhere but there.

           When he was 9 years old, a seer predicted that Achilles would die heroically in battle against the Trojans. When Thetis heard about this,  she asked the divine blacksmith Hephaestus to make a sword and shield that would keep him safe. The armor that Hephaestus produced for Achilles did not make him immortal but it was strong enough to keep him safe.

           Achilles still wasn't invincible. In the 9th year of the Trojan War, Achilles died when Paris shot him with an arrow to his heel as what the prophecy said. No matter how much his mother tried not to have her son killed in the war and even decided not to let him join the war but he did and died. The fact that he was shot in heel was really astonishing. Was it purely coincidence or another conspiracy? But either way, Paris was cool for knowing but I'm still not very fond of him though. His selfishness and insensitivity still marked my opinion towards him, though he didn't really have much of a choice when Zeus chose him to choose who is the fairest.

          To this day,people use the phrase “Achilles heel” to describe a powerful person’s fatal weakness. Everyone has an Achilles heel don't they? But besides the point, the death of Achilles still wasn't an event everyone was forseeing. I actually thought that for once, there was a change in the prophecy but that is merely impossible in Greek Mythology. That was definitely an event that surprised and amazed me at the same time. What can we learn from it? Only the fact that everyone has a weakness and someone will always be greater and lesser than us at some things. We have to accept these little mishaps in our making because that is the only way that will make us a strong, incredible and courageous person like Achilles was. 

References:

• History 2019, Achilles Available from: <https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/achilles> [31 October 2019]
• Ancient  Heroes 2016, How Did Achilles Die? Available from: <http://ancientheroes.net/blog/how-did-achilles-die> [31 October 2019]

The Rise of a New King: An Echo

The Birth of Zeus from Alexandros Reneotis

              From the Theogony of Hesiod, one main event kept on happening. The overthrowing of the king. For some reason, they just can't accept that their reign is done. They do everything in their power to stop time or change how the prophecy goes. But a prophecy is a prophecy. The world works in mysterious ways but everything is already written. It may make some twist and turns but all will end up in same position. 

               It all started with Uranus and  his fear of losing his power to his descendants. He cast his children into the depths of the earth but the prophecy said  he will be overthrown so he will. With the help of his own wife, Uranus was gone. From the advice of his Mother, Gaia, Cronus took a sickle and castrated Uranus. But Cronus' fate wasn't really as different as his father. He shared the same fate as his father. Cronus sired several children by Rhea: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon, but swallowed them all as soon as they were born, since he had learned that he was destined to be overcome by his own son as he had overthrown his own father. But when Zeus was about to be born, Rhea sought Gaia to devise a plan to save him, so that Cronus would get his retribution for his acts against Uranus and his own children. This, Rhea gave birth to Zeus in Crete, handing Cronus a rock wrapped in swaddling clothes, which he promptly swallowed.  

             The new king grew up with the help of grandma and ready to take his throne so he did. With just a glass of weird herb to get his siblings out, Zeus, the new king of the gods has risen.

               There were heaps of betrayals that happened in this story. Betrayal of own flesh all because of greed. Greed is powerful and that's why a lot of people are greedy. They want the power and the glory. For what? For bragging rights? For a pedestal? All of this will be gone bu just one second.  It is sorrowful to see how cruel the world can be. It is probably blinding, isn't it? All we see is the things we'll get once we are the end but we forget how many people we hurt in the process. And it's all because we only look out for ourselves.

                 One thing I can say the world now is to empathize, even just a little. Everyone has feeling and we seem to forget that all the time. The world will turn their backs against you if you continue to be be a bitter ghoul. Be a better person. Make a difference in the sad society we live in. 

References: 

• Explore Crete 2017, Zeus was born on Crete Available from: <http://www.explorecrete.com/mythology/zeus-birth.html> [31 October 2019]
• Cretan Beaches 2019, The Birth of Zeus Available from: <https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/history-of-crete/cretan-mythology/the-birth-of-zeus> [31 October 2019]

The Trojan War: An Actuality or Fantasy?

The Trojan War by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

           War is a battle. A battle that we should shun. War causes destruction and destruction isn't what the world needs. Battles are inevitable. Each day we have a battle to face and most likely, that's ourselves. That has caused great destruction among us but it has taught us to be a better and stronger person. Either way, it shouldn't be a reason to start a war.

          Ahhh... The Trojan War, the great war that marked our literature books. The war that has continued to fascinate humans over the centuries.  A war that we'll never forget. The battle of both powerful kingdoms. The battle of the Sparta and Troys. But was it also supposed to mark our history books too or is it just pure imagination from the great Homer, the writer of the Iliad and Odyssey? 

           The story of the Trojan War involves creatures never seen before, people who we never thought of, immortals who we doubt its existence and many more. We have too little proof, too little data, but that we also have too much. The Greek epics, Hittite records, Luwian poetry, and archaeological remains provide evidence not of a single Trojan war but rather of multiple wars that were fought in the area that we identify as Troy. 

         According to the Greek literary evidence, there were at least two Trojan Wars, Heracles’ and Agamemnon’s. And, according to the archaeological evidence, Troy was destroyed twice, if not three times, between 1300 and 1000 BCE. Some of this has long been known; the rest has come to light more recently. Thus, although we cannot definitively point to a specific “Trojan War,” at least not as Homer has described it in the Iliad and the Odyssey, we have instead found several such Trojan wars and several cities at Troy, enough that we can conclude there is a historical kernel of truth of some sort underlying all the stories.

       One question remains in my mind, could this 10 year war all happen just because of a woman? Could all of it been instigated only by the kidnapping of a single person? Because I really doubt it. Could the war perhaps be triggered by some other event? One can argue that the Trojan War would inevitably have taken place, with or without Helen. Some theories say that the presumptive kidnapping of Helen can be seen merely as an excuse to launch a pre-ordained war for control of land, trade, profit, and access to the Black Sea. From all the made-up stories and possibly true ones, how can we tell right? 

        Actuality or fantasy, the Trojan War has taught me one or few things and that is, to be careful, to be wise and I should think twice about every step I make. I have to learn how to control everything that surrounds me because a little mistake can turn into something more. 

       "Big things come in small packages" they say and somehow it's supposed to be a really good and kind thing to say but this statement also applies to this story quite well. A little mistake in picking a gift to wrap has sparked a 10 year battle where people get hurt and expire. I learned to be careful with my actions. To think about my decisions. To extend my empathy and this story also strengthened one of my most valuable principles, YOU SHALL NOT BE INSENSITIVE, even to people you don't know.

         The Trojan War might not be real but it has taught us good and valuable lessons though it also includes some parts that we really have to think twice on. Those parts taught us how to be wise and not to be as crazy as Aphrodite. As we all read, Aphrodite wasn't really everyone's favorite god in this story and that has taught me a lot of things about being a better person. Know what is worthy and what isn't. Taught me to empathize even though it goes against another one of my principles but if it makes me better than Aphrodite, then so be it. War will never be an answer so we shouldn't be a reason to start it. Real or not, all the values were definitely real.

References

• Oxford University Press 2019, The Trojan War: Fact or Fiction Available from: <https://blog.oup.com/2013/05/trojan-war-fact-or-fiction/> [30 October 2019]
• Wikipedia 2019, The Trojan War Available from: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_War> [30 October 2019]

The Judgement of Paris: An Echo

Aphrodite and The Golden Apple of Discord from jcogtas

                 A mistake in judgement is fatal. It marks someones feeble heart and fragile mind. The little pearl you saw on the beach earlier is doubting itself thinking that they might not be real but a hoax. As the man of both kind, you shall excel in both aspects if you want to continue feeling good about who you are right now because some details shouldn't go unnoticed from both side of the coin.  The one who judges isn't judging enough to notice that their victim is in pain from the stares and glances they gave the fragile little being inside of the person. They create a martyr because of their judgement towards the person they think who doesn't mind. But every single mistake in judgement you make, you may have wronged someone. 

                Frankly, this picture depicts society quite well. They are willing to say anything in their power just to get something for their own good. They look out for their selves. One word I could use to describe the society we live in today is that they are very insensitive. About everything. Their empathy for the people that surrounds them is at its lowest. And I really find that bitter.

                The Judgment of Paris was a contest between the three most beautiful goddesses of Olympus such as Aphrodite, Hera and Athena for the prize of a golden apple addressed "To the Fairest." The story began with the wedding of Peleus and Thetis which all the gods had been invited to attend except for Eris, goddess of discord. When Eris appeared at the festivities she was turned away and in her anger cast the golden apple amongst the assembled goddesses addressed "To the Fairest." Three goddesses laid claim to the apple, Aphrodite, Hera and Athena. Zeus was asked to mediate and he commanded Hermes to lead the three goddesses to Paris of Troy to decide the issue. The three goddesses appearing before the shepherd prince, each offering him gifts for favour. He chose Aphrodite, swayed by her promise to bestow upon him Helen, the most beautiful woman, for wife.

              As he chose Aphrodite as the fairest of them all, I don't think he chose her because she really was the fairest but he chose her because of the gift. It was bias. Aphrodite wasn't the fairest. It was the gift was the fairest of them all. I has stood out against the royalty Hera offered and the wisdom and skills that Athena offered. The gift won, not Aphrodite. 

             The insensitivity that Aphrodite showed has sparked one of the greatest war in our literature books, the Trojan War. She's not even sorry for taking a woman with a husband and gave it just a random mortal in the other side. Helen was married to the king of Sparta, Menelaus. Paris also showed his selfishness by accepting a gift that already has a holder. That just shows how powerful gifts can be, as well as greed.

           Of all that happened, the war had an frivolous reason. The judgment was the cause and it was petty. I didn't understand how a golden apple could represent one's fairness. Other than that, all wasn't worthy at all. To today's society, this story is the exact depiction of what a little thing can result to something so vast. 



References: 

• Theio Project 2000, Judgement of Paris Available from: <https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/JudgementParis.html> [30 October 2019]
• Gree Legends and Myths 2012, The Judgement of Paris In Greek Mythology Available from: <https://www.greeklegendsandmyths.com/judgement-of-paris.html> [30 October 2019]

Desiderata: Seize it

Happiness is a dream to everybody. They have been longing for this since Day 1. Is it what people have? Because from what I think, most people are still in search for what happiness is to them. For me, I lost happiness a long time ago or may happiness is the one who lost me.

The thought of happiness is very complex. It could be a "where", a "what", a "when", a "who" and many more. It gets puzzling when you think about happiness. Ever since I step foot into high school, my view in life completely changed. High school brought a lot of anxiety, miserableness, insecurities and a lot more to me. It probably did take away my happiness from me. Not just happiness but also my freedom and more. But that's inevitable, isn't it?

I read this poem back in 6th grade, even had a speech choir performance to go with it but the effect it had on me was completely different. I probably don't even know meaning of the title back then but now, I saw and read a way different poem. A poem that slapped me in the face. A poem that opened my eyes and a poem that told me that I have to find my happiness ASAP.

In the poem, "Desiderata", it is filled with lessons you need to learn. My favorite of all is this statement, " And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. " This statement told me that the world waits for no one. It is going on while you're ready or not. Do what you have to do because time is gold. You have no time to waste. the earth is moving every second and every minute. Seize the moment. Seize the opportunities. The universe doesn't care about you. You are just one out of a billion other people who is standing there and waiting for their happiness. Seize every moment you get. Seize it.

Desiderata is a remarkable poem.  It consists of a lot of lessons that can help with any problems we can possible face. I found light in a task that I wouldn't do myself. This helped me with my perspective in life. Yes, life is very unfair but that won't stop me anymore. If you think of it, everyone is going through the same thing as you are, so that doesn't make you very special.

          We have a long way to go. I know, on the way we will find our happiness or at least comfort. Desiderata is an eye-opening poem. Encourages us to be something more. Despite the odds, we shall rise. Seize it. 

Turkey's Earthquake Preparedness Plan

Turkey is the 9^th country that is prone to earthquakes. Turkey falls within the seismic zone between Arabian, Eurasian and African plates. It’s very geographic location implies that an earthquake can hit the country at any point of time. Turkey is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, especially earthquakes. More than 80% of the population lives in areas prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and landslides.
   Turkey has taken this as a challenge they were willing to face. Earthquakes are associated with damage and loss wherever they may occur, the destructive effects of those in Turkey are exacerbated by the large volume of code incompliant buildings constructed with poor materials and workmanship. For years, they have been working on that and had a law in preparation for that. It has been there for years and it just got updated in 2018. That is the "Turkish Building Code" and it focuses on the engineering structure of the buildings to lessen the damages and the chances of collapsing. 
   The materials being used in most of the residential structures in Turkey is made out of cement and masonry. Those materials being mixed with steel can certainly be an earthquake safe structure but that definitely depends on how you work with what you have. How often you get your building assessed and etc. 

"Turkey" photo by Rueters

    In preparation and because it’s vulnerability to many natural disasters  like earthquake, Turkey has advanced disaster risk management (DRM) through initiating reforms to better-manage and reduce disaster risk and strengthens institutions for more proactive DRM. The country’s government has established agencies to respond to these disasters and to overcome institutional fragmentation. They established the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) in 2009. In 2015, the government adopted the Turkey National Disaster Response Plan to guide all disaster and emergency response. 

"Turkey: National Disaster Response Plan" 

Turkey didn't have the best record from the previous earthquakes they had. Destruction was there and all but over the years they have improved. This video shows a little bit of the history about the countries earthquakes.

Based on the information  the earthquakes that make Turkey such a vulnerable place,  the country is a dangerous area to be in especially during earthquakes on our point of view to this study. Because the country contains two large plates that are grinding against each other. This type of boundary is called Transform Boundary and this could make more faults. This makes Turkey very dangerous. Turkey being very prone to earthquakes alerted them. Prepared for upcoming quakes. I never knew that there are awards that show appreciation for how prepared you are for earthquakes. Turkey got a few. Turkey was awarded for the following awards:

• City Resilience Program: Program Development and Advisory Services Support 
• Strategies and Options for Scaling Up Disaster Risk Management in ECA Countries 
• Developing the South East European Multi-Hazard Early Warning Advisory System -                 Phase II
•  Support to Building Resilience and Mainstreaming DRM into Education Infrastructure in          Turkey
•   Improving Resilience and Resilience Impact of National Land and Geospatial Systems 
•   Building Resilience in Education Infrastructure for Public Schools 
•  City Resilience Program: Phase 1 
• Building Resilience in Turkey

As you can see, Turkey has quite a reputation when it comes to how prepared they are for any calamity that comes in their way and it’s quite overwhelming. 

Philippines and Turkey are both prone to earthquakes. Philippines being the 5^th country that is prone to earthquakes also had them very prepared. They had quite similar plans for evacuation. Philippines lies on the edge of the Pacific plate, which is traditionally a seismic hot zone that encircles the state. The danger posed by earthquakes to Manila is threefold. It is, of course, snug with the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it especially susceptible not only to quakes, but also to volcanic eruptions. The threat to Manila is worsened due to its soft soil, which presents the risk of ground liquefaction. With that situation and those threats, it made Philippines open their eyes and made them realize that they have to play their A game on when there are calamities. For the main priority of every country is the safety of the people.

Philippines' preparedness activities are organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF). The country undergoes plenty of drills to let people be aware of what to do during and after an earthquake. Same as Turkey, they also have an agency for disaster risk reduction and management which is Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Both preparation are quite similar. 

The preparation of these countries may change or improve in the next following years and though they may have not reached their highest potential in preparing, it is significant that both countries are giving attention and importance in responding for natural disasters.

All in all, we mostly think that Turkey is very prepared towards Earthquakes. Their situation already alarmed them and to think that they are part of the Top 10 countries that are prone to Earthquakes, this has clearly been shown to them that they have to take matters into their own hands.

Their buildings are strong enough that it could withstand an earthquake but that depends on how strong the earthquake in. I mean, if you think of it, it only takes a matter of time until a building collapses. Turkey was given recognition for having a very resilient. ‘City Resilience Program: Program Development and Advisory Services Support’ that is one of their awards for being very prepared and to be a country recognized for that, I would be very proud. 

After all the, research and article reading, we can conclude that Turkey is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to earthquakes. And because of it's geographical location, people of Turkey will continue to experience major quakes over the next following years. Possibly, after all the experiences, the country's way of being ready and responding to earthquakes may improve. Without the Risk Reduction Projects in the country, results will become worse and recovery will surely take long years. Therefore, preparation is crucial in risk and danger reduction. Whether the country you're living in is prone to natural disasters or not, it is always important to be prepared. natural disasters are unpredictable and inevitable and being unprepared will only make everything worse. Preparedness is the only way we can combat a natural disaster.

References

ListSurge  (2016). Top 10 Countries that are Most Prone to Earthquakes

BBC News (2010). Why Turkey suffers earthquake misery?

ScienceDirect (2015). Turkey's grand challenge: Disaster-proof building inventory within 20 years

Taylor and Francis Online (2015). Disasters and earthquake preparedness of children and schools in Istanbul, Turkey

Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (2019). Turkey

Wikipedia (2019).  List of Earthquakes in Turkey

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