Numbering the Days

Tambayan Complex

2012-02-13T21:28:00.000+08:00

I happened to pass by UP a couple of weekends ago and I found that the tambayan complex has been slowly wasting away. This makeshift tambayan between Yakal and Ipil used to house 6 orgs all at once. These days it sits idly; occasionally prowled by cats and dogs and libido-driven in-betweens seeking for food and the concealing solace of the dark.

Last week, I was saddened to see that it was completely torn down.

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Horizons

2012-02-09T17:25:00.000+08:00

The setting of the sun signals the departure of the fishermen in this sleepy town of Candelaria, Zambales into unchartered waters. In this community, hook and line fishing still remains the preferred method to catch fish. Fishermen go out into the sea and fish by night using gasoline powered lamps to attract schools of fish.

Below, I spotted mother and daughter looking out into the sea. The calmness and serenity could be beguiling; offering hope that the ocean will bring back their loved ones safely the next day.

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At Calea

2012-02-03T19:30:00.000+08:00

Pecan Chocolate Cake

This is definitely a late post.

Last time I went home, I decided to meet up with some of my batchmates to talk and catch up with each other. The day before that, I was busy contacting people; calling phone numbers which had either been stolen, unattended, or already expired. Many promised to meet up the next day over lunch but only a few actually showed up.

After eating at a seafood restaurant, we headed to Calea to hang out and escape the sweltering sun. And these are what we ordered:

Black Sambo

Mocha Chocolate Cake

I ordered the white chocolate cake. I must say that this is the least of my favorite. (Without trying to be a food critic here) I think the cake tasted too bland for me and the texture was comparable to hard chiffon. Apart from the white chocolate cake, everything tasted good! The price was also student friendly (70-100 pesos). A lot of the people I know who's had the chance to visit Bacolod have gone to try Calea cakes; and almost always, they give nothing but good feedback.

White Chocolate Cake

Ice Cream Cake

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Sunsets

2012-01-30T16:29:00.000+08:00

I was never the type who loved watching sunsets because it makes me introspective. I ask questions I know could only make me regret.

What could have I done better? Why did things go as it did today?

I'm sure most of us would love to go back to at least one moment in our day and relive it, tweak it probably, or pause it for the second time. If it were possible, I wonder how many of us would wake up a minute earlier to avoid traffic, or work a little less and smile a little more, or ponder at God's graciousness for today.

I love how the Psalmist phrases it:

All our days pass away under your wrath,

we finish our years with a moan.

Our days come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures;

yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

If only we knew the power of your anger!

Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90: 9-12

Yes, teach us Lord to number our days.

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Pasig River by Night

2012-01-25T23:32:00.002+08:00

This 13 second exposure of Pasig River seems to be otherworldly, surreal even. With all the lights reflected gracefully like this, who would think a stench so foul could come out from this river in broad daylight? If only photography could arrest the other senses as well.
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Violets Part 2

2012-01-20T17:34:00.002+08:00

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Dreamscapes

2011-05-02T22:58:00.002+08:00

I don't know if its just my bizarre taste, but I like the look in these photographs especially the blurred ones. They seem dreamy for me. How about you?

I think the picture above is what you see when you pause midplay a video on a VCR screen.

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The Old and The New

2011-05-01T21:54:00.004+08:00

continue reading here

I wonder why the high rise building located at one of the busiest streets in Manila was never completed. On the other hand, the picture below shows the on going construction of the EEE Building 2 which will house a three story equipment.

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Overexposed

2011-04-29T08:08:00.000+08:00

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Leaves

2011-04-23T13:38:00.005+08:00

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Violets

2011-04-22T22:20:00.012+08:00

Have you taken notice of these flowers growing beside the dump? I bet you haven't.

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Will I Miss This Traffic Scene?

2011-04-21T22:10:00.018+08:00

Bye for now Manila!

EDSA Traffic Jam
Tilt shift, layering and gradient.
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Ampatuans

2011-04-20T21:36:00.000+08:00

The vehicles at the Supreme Court speed up as the light turns green

while the prosecution takes a step slower as each day comes to an end.

Supreme Court, Padre Faura Manila
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Too Early for Christmas

2011-04-19T11:08:00.000+08:00

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Waiting for Somebody to Turn on the Switch

2011-04-18T22:28:00.002+08:00

Many of the graduates including me find ourselves pictured like this lamp post. Amidst the bustling city, it waits patiently for someone to take notice of its presence and hope that when someone does, he'll need its light. Weeks prior to graduation, I was asking people about their plans, which career paths will they take, which companies have called, and which offers have they accepted. Suffice to say, a lot are still on the rocks about where to go after graduation. I don't even know where to go yet.

However, I am certain that most of us are wide-eyed about the magnitude of our dreams. We may not know this now but I am positive that when I look back to this post years from now, I wouldn't be typing at the desk I picture of right at this very moment. Others have been jaded or cynical I know, but that hasn't stopped the rest from dreaming bigger dreams.

I took this picture a few weeks ago, and somehow, it summed up my consternations about life after grad. In the middle of this city, will my light still shine enough so that people would actually care if I don't? Some people have a fear of failing while others have a fear for redundancy. One fear which I think is equally painful is being insignificant. If I might add, I think it dwarfs failing and redundancy by a mile.

I hope I'll be able to find my spot in this metropolis, and shine my light where people would care; even if its just in the cupboard.

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Coffee or Tea?

2011-04-15T22:40:00.000+08:00

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Mga Milagro sa UP Sunken Garden

2011-04-14T16:54:00.002+08:00

UP Diliman Main Library serves as the backdrop for a night exposure shot of the sunken graden.
Exposure bracket, 1/3. f3.5, 50 seconds.

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Pink

2011-04-13T11:29:00.011+08:00

The light at the background enhances the color of this flower as it lights up from behind.
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Manila Skyline

2011-04-12T08:26:00.012+08:00

Maynard and I went to Kuya Lance's place the other day to visit him. I am blessed to hear his stories and to see him still growing in the Lord despite the demands of med school. These are some of the photos I took:

continue reading here

The sky seems unperturbed by the haste and hurry of the city. Looking at it, I am reminded of the fleeting moments that I have taken for granted. And the trivial matters that seem big in my eyes suddenly become insignificant.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full on his face.
And the things of this world will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

I haven't had a closer look at my Savior these past days.

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Malaking Bumbilya

2011-04-11T23:19:00.001+08:00

Maynard and I went to Technohub days ago to eat dinner. Its funny how we were the only DCFers left. Everyone else has gone home and are well adjusted by now in their vacation. Its funny how I sometimes laugh at people who take pictures o themselves alongside these glowing bulbs. That night however, we did it and made fools of ourselves by taking pictures left and right. I wonder how many people have had similar thoughts seeing us.

f6.5, 50 second exposure.
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The Redness that Bleeds into the Background

2011-04-10T11:36:00.001+08:00

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Have You Tried the Ampalaya Shake?

2011-04-09T20:39:00.001+08:00

Stall 1, Shopping Center, UP Diliman
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G201

2011-04-08T20:44:00.000+08:00

I will miss staring at the bare walls of this room! Bye Yakal!
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Lines and Curves

2011-04-06T20:38:00.004+08:00

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The End of the Long Walk

2011-04-05T20:31:00.000+08:00

Freshie Walk, UP Diliman
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The Semester that Was

2010-10-12T19:19:00.001+08:00

I finished my last exam this afternoon. It might be too soon to rejoice but I'm crossing my fingers and I'm praying that I'll be able to qualify for an exemption from my two majors. If that happens, I'll have to focus on writing my thesis.

This semester has been a difficult one for me. It's my first and last time taking 21 units all together, these along with the thesis that I have been working on. Also, this semester, I started the habit to sleep very early and wake up very early too. This proved to be very effective for me, so I encourage everyone to do the same. In addition to 21 units [which is the maximum regular load] + thesis, I also took a part time job as a student assistant at the TMC Library upon the prodding of Kuya Glen.

Its always an edifying experience for me to look back in retrospect and remember what the Lord has done for me. I know I won't be able to list down everything, but I hope that in the years to come, this will remind me of His faithfulness.

I praise Him for providing for my physical needs. I praise Him because I have had the opportunity to work with a very motherly librarian. I praise Him for the favor that Ate Lisa has given me. I am also thankful for the library where I work which has helped me a lot. I praise Him for providing for my family, even as my youngest brother has had to stop school for a time.

I praise Him for restored relationships and new friendships. I praise Him for how he has taught me and humbled me through my dealings with people. For my brothers whom I have come to deeply appreciate, for my new acquaintances whom I have also come to cherish, and for the old ones whose friendships I know will go beyond the borders of this university.

Finally, I thank Him for teaching me to be more dependent on His grace daily. This, despite the lack of old faces in the dorm. And even though I was tossed out of my comfort zone and have persistently tried to let go, His love far exceeds my sins, and his faithfulness beyond my transgressions. Indeed, it is 'His kindness that leads us to repentance' [Romans 2:4]

As I near the end of my semester, I could never boast of anything that I have done if it were not for Him.

'not to us o Lord, not to us
but unto your Name be the glory
because of Your love and faithfulness'
Psalm 115

Indeed, may this serve as another reminder for me of how great my God is.

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DCF's Ladies and Gents Night

2010-09-25T13:26:00.000+08:00

I had a worthwhile and blessed evening yesterday! After a tiring day, what better way to rest than to spend it in fellowship with my brothers in Christ.

Dormitories' Christian Fellowship held its first Ladies and Gents Night yesterday. The girls were settled at Ate Flor's house while the gents were supposedly going to stay at Pau's house. However, due to very unfortunate circumstances, Pau's [and Arnold's and Dado's] electricity line was cut off because they forgot to pay the bill. So we had to move in with the girls at Ate Flor's. It was a good thing that Ate Flor's house had three floors; the girls occupied the second floor while the gents occupied the ground floor.

I have a lot to be thankful for during the event. First of which are the realizations that came during and after Kuya Rex Recio's talk. I thank and appreciate him for accommodating our request even if the venue was very far from his place. I praise God for using him to encourage us in responding to our call for Biblical manhood. There are some points however that I failed to appreciate, especially when it came to topics such as being a good husband or raising up kids! [hahaha] Another thing that I am thankful for is the long chat I had with Ravi, a freshman student. It was encouraging for me to see younger ones taking up the reins and earnestly wanting to learn more. I pray that God will continue to use him for his glory. Finally, I am thankful for the rest and the fellowship. Some girls didn't bother sleeping at all and ended up talking through the whole night. And although the breakfast was only sardines and eggs, I couldn't ask for more than having spent it with them.

I hope that this will become an annual event for DCF. And that through this, many girls and boys will grow to respond and live up to God's calling of biblical manhood and womanhood.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Bye Facebook

2010-09-11T16:20:00.000+08:00

I have been contemplating a lot about deactivating my facebook account largely due to the fact that I have lost sight of its importance. Lately, I log into my account and hurry to log off my chat and while wasting precious time staring blankly at pages. I have lost sight of Facebook's value to get in touch, except to remind me that I have some friends to greet during their natal day, whenever that is. Sometimes I do think that not having a Facebook account gives me an excuse whenever I fail to greet them on their birthdays, or in general, to extend some message. But, truth be told, most of the time, I forget birthdays, and I am too lazy to chat. Oh well.

I will sound too hypocrite if I say that I am not flattered when people greet me every July 29. However, I have to admit that I am not a bit flustered when someone doesn't. I dare say Facebook has introduced superficiality. How many of you, in all honesty, actually liked what you clicked 'like'? Or meant Happy when you said 'Happy birthday', even with that smiley? Don't take me for a cynic because I am not, and although I may sound condescending to Facebook users, in reality I am not, since I am one. Or let me phrase it, I will have been one, once this post is over. And so ends my eulogy to my account.

Bye Facebook! in 5,4,3,2,1.

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The Cove

2010-09-03T23:18:00.001+08:00

Have you heard of the film The Cove?

I went to watch the film, screened for the first time in the Philippines, at the UP Film Institute. Kuya Luther informed me about the screening hours before the movie was about to be shown. The movie won last year's Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film garnered a lot of buzz because it tackles the dolphin killing practice in Taiji, Japan.

It is hard to write objectively about the movie when it features cold-blooded killing of dolphins. While some argue that a lot of these things happen in Japan, Taiji is particularly interesting because of the way the dolphins are slaughtered. During the months between September and March, the dolphins visiting the area are herded by fishing boats by making distinctive sounds. This sends the dolphins into a state of panic and alarm and they are forced to flee near the shore. Visitors are allowed to watch the herding of the dolphins where the best ones are picked and sent to ocean parks all over the world. Other dolphins which don't make the mark are escorted into the infamous cove where a bloodbath takes place. There, the dolphins are harpooned and hacked by knives. An aerial shot featured the waters in the cove turning red during and after the slaughter. What is most alarming is that the village seems to conspire in the cover-up of these activities.

It is estimated that around 23,000 dolphins are killed in the cove each year. Live dolphins sell for about 150,000 dollars, and only a few are good enough to be chosen. The others are butchered for their mercury-laden meat, unfit for consumption but still illegally branded as whale meat and exported or cooked in specialty restaurants.

The movie in itself merits a lot of things. Its covert "CIA - Ocean's Eleven" cross over gives a refreshing take on documentary. The crew members risked their lives to set-up cameras across and under the cove to expose the killing. The movie is currently shown to raise awareness regarding the issue. The fact is, this long standing topic is looked upon a number of times in the past. Eating dolphin meat is regarded in Japan as equal to eating cow meat [or so it seems].

It is interesting to note the political points touched by the film regarding the controversy. One ambassador noted that Japan might be doing this in staunch protest to everything that is Western. He stressed that the killing culture in Taiji is supposed to show to the West that they cannot dictate or pressure them. However, this remains to be debated. For all its worth, I think its an eye-opener, and I encourage everyone to see the film.

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Taxi Drivers

2010-09-02T08:34:00.002+08:00

Irene, Hannah, Jerrick, and I had successive rough encounters with two rude drivers in one night!

The first driver was a cheat. The taxi meter was just too fast. The meter ticked 7.50 just when we were about to make a turn at the intersection of Trinoma.

'Kuya, masyadong mabilis ata metro ninyo' I told him.

'Alangan naman pigilan ko yan?' he fired back.

His rate was so fast that it already cost us 40 pesos while we were still at the Veteran's Hospital. Our eyes were glued to the meter while the taxi was stuck in the red light, when all of a sudden, it flicked to 42.50. Irene was infuriated of course, and we decided that he should drop us at the roadside then and there. Anyhow, I think he felt that we were really angry because the four of us started to talk to him and condemn his cheating. So, he said that he'd drop us at PNB near Kalayaan Avenue instead. What a long way.

So there we were, waiting for Pantranco jeepneys to pass. We got fed up waiting for about 20 minutes, so we decided to take another taxi going to the university.

This taxi driver, I think is worse than the first. While we were comfortably nestled inside, he complained that we were too many! [When there's four of us] How could we be many? Furthermore, he said that he won't have any passengers when he gets out of the university since its already 9pm. We told him that there are still lots of students waiting inside UP. However, he argued that he stands losing so we should add another 10 pesos. We said no.

'Eh gusto niyo bang naninigarilyo ako?'

'Aba siyempre kuya hindi' Irene answered, irked.

Apparently, he was driving the point that we should add 10 pesos so that he'd stop smoking!

Good and honest taxi drivers are rare commodities these days. These kinds of drivers give much headache to the Tourism department; in fact, Filipino taxi drivers are rated in the bottom of the list.

On the other hand, there are some who are honest enough to land the news. I had encountered an honest driver while we were going back from the Port area near Tondo to UP. It was 4am but the driver was still really chatty. He talked about how he raised his kids, how he already got ambushed, or held up, those things. In the end, we found out that he is a Christian, and he takes his job as a means to share Christ. The length of the trip was long enough for us to discuss those things. However it only cost 200 pesos!

It might be a far cry and I don't want to too sound optimistic, but I hope every taxi driver could become at the very least, honest.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Nigerian Dinner

2010-08-19T02:17:00.002+08:00

Remember my last post with about Joshua? We just had dinner with him! He was gracious enough to cook some authentic Nigerian cuisine. I forgot what the name was called but it was chicken with "igwisik". Igwisik is the Nigerian term for the Fonio grain. Fonio is particularly unique to Nigerian cuisine because the grains are specifically grown in the region. Nigerian cuisine is characterized by the use of this "igwisik", peanuts, nuts, yam, okra, and a generous amount of spices. The meal was not that tasty, when you compare it to the Asian palate, but it had some fine points. The fonio has a certain aftertaste which goes well with the chicken, even enhancing the flavor. I found the dish to be too spicy for my taste, but it balanced the sweetness of the igwisik very well. I might have to try the authentic ones, because as Joshua told me, this was not the best part. Nevertheless, it was a good start for Nigerian cuisine in my palate.

L-R Joshua, Jenny, Me, Chen

I wasn't able to treat the picture because the resolution constraints me. It was also a pleasure to meet Mr. Chen BingXiao. Oh, something interesting came up while we chatted! I have to do another character sketch about him soon!

I have been blogging about food lately all the time. And I meet a lot of different ethnicities too. There's a trend here.. hmm..

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Joshua the Nigerian

2010-08-15T15:05:00.002+08:00

I forgot to talk about Joshua, my Nigerian acquaintance, in my previous post. It would be hard for me to digress from that seminar to this one because both topics deserve a post each. Now let me continue. Joshua is kuya Luther's friend. They met each other at the International Center where Kuya Luther is currently staying. He is 44 years old and a father of three daughters. He is a lecturer at some university in Nigeria; however, he says that his current pay is barely enough to get them by, and that the pay will be significantly higher if took up post graduate studies. So he is currently taking up Master's in Library and Information Science upon the recommendation of one of his bosses. I met him 2 hours earlier, just before the seminar. He was easy to warm up with because he talks a lot, although I have to admit that I had to process what he is saying. He was wearing a blue-colored traditional Nigerian clothing, which is comparable to artfully patterned pyjamas. He told us of how surprised he was upon arriving in the Philippines and not being able to use all the suits he had prepared. Apparently, he only brought 4 shirts and the rest were all suits! Imagine the horror. :)) For that day however, he told us that he had to laundry all of his clothes so he was left without a choice but to wear the only traditional clothing he brought.

Two things I can say of Joshua. He is a picky eater and he is very straightforward. I learned later that Africans are generally straightforward. Its only the Filipinos who will suppress their feelings for the sake of a host. When we tried to offer him to try Filipino cuisine, he insisted that he'll just cook for himself some dinner. He told us that had tried food at the Coop, but "it was no food!". We insisted that he try Chinese food, but he said that he would try anything "as long as it doesn't upset his stomach". We were fidgeting, but we proceeded anyway. We reasoned that his stomach will surely get more upset if he doesn't eat anything. Anyway, alls well ended well for that night. He loved Chinese food!

Joshua's Facebook profile

Talking to Joshua, I was blessed to see hope in our country. He related how down-trodden and mismanaged Nigeria is and how backward the economy has become. He lamented that despite being one of the largest exporters of oil in the world, they are still in the recesses of poverty. As we took the taxi to the venue, he kept pointing out to the infrastructure, and he told us that Nigeria never have these. He says that despite being a large land, there is a lack of paved roads and railway systems. He was really passionate about his country, a value he says most Filipinos he has known clearly lacks. "Everyone here complains!" and that is true. I suddenly realized that while he was trying to paint hope about our country, I was floundering and negating everything he says.

That afternoon was refreshing. And as I tried to view the things through his lens, I complained lesser. Somehow, it made me realize some things which we take for granted most of the time.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Heavenly Indeed

2010-08-13T00:12:00.002+08:00

Heavenly Indeed!

I forgot to write about this Free Chocolate Appreciation Seminar which I was very lucky enough to attend along with my friends from church kuya Luther, ate Jenny, and kuya Luther's friend Joshua last July 24. The seminar was hosted by Heavenly Chocolates [sadly they don't have any site] which is along Timog. I was lucky to be accommodated even though I only signed up in a RSVP event 3 hours before the seminar itself. I thank the staff who were gracious enough not to shove me outside. The seminar room which is located above the cafe was filled with couches and plush rugs for the event, so that everyone was in their most comfortable position. The atmosphere upended the technicalities of the discussion which I found pleasantly academic.

Marga Manlapiz [did I even hear her name right?!] talked about the history of chocolates, cacao varieties, production processes, and the differences of African chocolates. The highlight of the night came when the creamy concoction of three single-origin Ghana, single-origin Madagascar, and single-origin Ivory Coast was passed around. Marga explained the differences among the three. Somehow, I left the seminar feeling a bit pro about the chocolates. Hahaha! And I did appreciate chocolates by the way. Let me share to you two of the many things I learned from the seminar:

1. Mars, Snickers, Buttefinger are not chocolates. I was shocked to hear that MARS is not chocolate!

2. In the days of the Aztecs, a cattle/sheep costs 15cacao beans, a slave costs 10 cacao beans while a wife costs only 5! I saw the look on ate Jenny's face. :))

Now the pictures...

Chocolate Truffle

I got one bag of these!

I ended up leaving with brownies and a pack of chocolate with rice crispies. However, I wasn't into the chocolate with rice crispies. I loved the brownies though because it wasn't too sugary. I don't want to sound like a food critic because I am not! hahaha. I was also able to try the chocolate truffle! It costs 350 pesos for a box of 12. Ate Jenny's friend gave her one and she let us taste it. Hahaha... so much for being so stingy, four of us had to take a bite out of one truffle! But who cares? Let me tell you that that truffle was the best I've tasted so far [well technically, its the only truffle I've tasted ever. Hahaha!]. It literally melts in your mouth. Certainly beats MnMs by a mile!

Mocha Brownies

Single-Origin chocolate

Chocolate Truffle

To cap the night, we headed out for dinner at Super Bowl of China. Oh, I forgot to mention that Joshua is Nigerian, and he deserves to be blogged about!

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Rare Week

2010-08-10T01:34:00.002+08:00

This week is a rare one. I only have one exam and one lab report due. When I was a freshman, I thought of weeks like these as burdensome and haggard. But hey, one seems to get used to it right? Now, haggard is my term for three exams in a week and 2 lab reports in between. I've been getting some sleep a lot lately, as I'm trying to recover from the previous weeks' lack of sleep. I might have to focus more on my thesis this week because the deadlines are looming, and I surely don't want to get caught napping by my adviser.

I read an interesting travel article in Time about swimming in a jellyfish infested lake in Palau. Apparently, the magazine is endorsing some exotic places to try out. It said that the lake was once part of the ocean but due to some geological changes, it was cut off from the sea leaving thousands of stinging creatures to spawn in the lake. Eventually, the jellyfish's stings were reduced to nothing, and they reverted to eating sugar produced by the algae in the lake, because they can't sting their prey anymore. As I was reading that, a picture comes into my mind of a cage full of old carnivores who suffer in a diet of vegetables because they've lost all their teeth. In any case, I don't think its much of a thrill to swim with these creatures.

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Higher Rock and Banapple

2010-08-08T23:22:00.002+08:00

I have been meaning to attend a church service in Higher Rock Christian Church ever since. It was only this day that I was able to do so upon the invitation of Kuya Lance. I have been telling my classmate Maynard [who is a member] to invite me before, but he always forgets to do so. The service in itself was a blessing to me. Their Senior Pastor, Pastor Bob delivered the message on Deuteronomy 30:1-5, which foretold of the Israelites' punishment and blessings. It was a welcome escape to the usual topical preaching, and I was really happy to hear the passage being ripped to the bone [no pun intended]. I was surprised when Manong Ralph told me that it took almost 5 years for Pastor Bob to finish the series on John. The church is one of those few which has a ministry for the deaf. I was surprised to see my friend Koji Bulahan interpreting the message in Tagalog sign language. The people are very warm and welcoming. It was a strange comfort to be able to attend a different church for the first time and feel at home.

Afterwards, Kuya Lance, Manong Ralph and I ate at Bannaple, which serves specialty cakes at really affordable prices. I ordered Fish Gratinee with Mozarella, which was very very creamy. We also ate Chocolate Tiramisu Cheesecake, Pecan Pie, and the house specialty Banoffee Pie. Here are some pictures.

with Manong Ralph

With Kuya Lance

Chocolate Tiramisu Cheesecake

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

UPCAT 2010

2010-08-07T13:17:00.003+08:00

Every UPCAT reminds me that I am blessed to be in this University. Hats off to this year's UPCAT takers! I'm sure you've done all the preparations for this exam. For most of you, just like me, it's UP [or Ateneo] and nothing else.

Back then, my classmates and I never really prepared for the college exams by taking review classes. We didn't even had one! I was surprised when I came here in Manila to know that everyone had to enroll in summer review classes for the college entrance tests. During our silly high school days, we all thought we were the big guns of our province. Hahaha! Well, it turned out that we were not.

My UPCAT was a humbling experience. Sitting beside a total stranger while taking a difficult exam thinking that for every 5 students only one is smart enough to pass, can drive anyone nuts. What was even more nuts is the agonizing pain of waiting for the results.

In my case, I was so confident that I would pass the UPCAT. So imagine my horror when I found out in January 2006 that the online ACET results didn't have my name! To be honest, I was really bent to study in Ateneo and UP was not my first choice. I figured that if I didn't pass Ateneo [which I did by the way, the system had some glitches, but I got the official letter], I could might not very well pass the UPCAT. All my hopes were crushed and I had dreaded February because that would mean UPCAT results. But alls well that ends well. UPCAT has taught me a valuable lesson, to never look at myself too highly.

It was really a blessing to be able to enter this University, and I could never take credit in my strength for passing the UPCAT. I praise God even more for 5 years of fruitful college life [in Engineering].

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

August

2010-08-06T12:40:00.002+08:00

I cannot count how many times I had desired to just give up this blog. And yet here I am again, posting another entry. Sometimes, I feel that this blog just weights me down, and I start to see it as a burden and not just an extension f myself. How could I feel giddy about a new post when I think that no one's actually reading it except me. Or, [if anyone reads this one] would people actually love to hear what I rant about? In any case, a blog is supposed to uplift, and from what I am currently experiencing right now, there are no uplifting stories that I could share to you. But I digress. The point I am trying to make, is that I have decided [and oh so countless of times] that I will keep this blog. I have resolved to minimize rants and negativity, and instead, to use this as an outlet to share what I had been blessed about. Also, this should be an extension of myself. As such, I should not feel any need to post anything everyday, Especially during those times when I have a writer's bloc. I will try, as much as I can to post at least a weekly update, so that this blog won't stale and stink.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Happy Birthday Mommy

2010-05-04T10:56:00.005+08:00

Today is my mother's birthday.

And this day also reminds me of how blessed I am to have a mother like her. I thank the Lord for giving me a mother who is God-fearing, dedicated, and a woman of great character. Above all, I praise God for using her share to me the love of Christ.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

First Day of OJT

2010-04-07T22:32:00.002+08:00

Today was my first day as a trainee at Precision Foundry of the Philippines, Inc. PFPI is a subsidiary of ArmsCor, a guns-and-ammunitions company. I was toured inside the relatively small plant. My head aches right now because of the sudden temperature shifts I experienced. On one hand, I had to go through a waxing room where the temperatures were kept really cold. Outside though, the temperature is extremely hot. The whole area outside the waxing shop is dedicated to smelting iron. So imagine I had to pass through and watch how the yellow-hot iron is transferred like soup into its molds.

Apart from these things, I look forward to doing almost nothing everyday. Leonard was given an area of research, while I will have to talk with Sir Reyes about my project tomorrow. I hop though that it isn't that hard. And by the way, the commute is very tiring.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Ear Candy

2010-03-29T22:28:00.001+08:00

Perfect by Vanessa Amorosi

Her voice and style reminds me of Celine Dion

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Thursday Evening

2010-03-25T23:18:00.004+08:00

Tonight, EW2 hosted a kick-off party for the wing. It proved to be a very stressful event for me, but at the same time, very fulfilling. The event started around 7:45 pm at the table tennis area, with only a handful of residents ready to feast. I myself was very hungry and was eager to eat any of the 7 bilao of pancit, palabok and spaghetti; or feast on 2 very large chocolate cakes; or scoop ice cream to my heart's content.

However, because there were only a few of us, we decided to invite more people, even if they weren't part of the wing [the dorm is divided into four groups for activities, wing members are part of the same corridor]. Late into the event, I was slightly pissed because some people started hoarding food. I kept reminding them that some of our wingmates have not yet eaten, and we had needed to reserve some food for them. Sadly, all my talk fell to deaf ears. Later that night, I was disappointed because I ate very little. I was probably too stressed out to bother eating.

Just before I was about to go up to my room, the security received a call from East Avenue Medical Center, telling us that a resident had been rushed to the hospital because he had jumped off the Philcoa footbridge. We were all surprised and everyone conjectured on what happened. It was still later, I had found out that he was hypnotized, his money, cellphone, and laptop was taken from him.

I do not know, and I think I may never know why he jumped off, but I find it silly that he would go to great lengths of penance as to actually jumping off a footbridge on a busy Saturday afternoon to demonstrate his supposed shock. I cannot bring myself to think that I would ever equate my worth, and my life even, to these momentary and fleeting material things. Sure, he might be shocked about the incident, and that he might not recover the laptop anymore, but to jump off the footbridge? What for? Money could be easily earned once you get a decent job, but you can never put a tag on anyone's life.

Anyway, I might get carried away and start babbling. Good thing he got away from the incident with only a broken arm at that! He had not been run over by a speeding car nor had he fractured his head.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Reto

2010-03-24T00:57:00.006+08:00

I was fourteen when I last saw butterflies. I was eager to catch one when mama called me to come inside the house. Silence enveloped the whole room as soon as I entered. There were familiar faces sitting next to Papa. No one moved a bit, feigning the uneasiness brought about by the parched atmosphere of our small shack. Mother motioned me towards the kitchen, saying I need to help bring out some drinks. I did so, bringing out three tall glasses and a pitcher of cold orange juice. I felt elated when I heard Mama say I was one of the top in our class. She must be so proud of me, I know she knows how I really like to continue my studies. I eased my way slowly towards the kitchen, letting my ears to fall behind the curtain just so I can eavesdrop. The conversation took a while. Mama entered the foray, and slowly placed her hands on my shoulders. I looked up to her, and she smiled that smile when the fields are ravaged. I was led out of the house into the nearby dry patch where a black car waited; beside it laid bundles of sacks and piles of brown cartons. Mama told me I could study now as I stepped onto the car. But when I looked to the rear, I saw brown cartons thinning away and the butterflies gone.

PS. This is a story of a girl who had been arranged for marriage in order for the family to survive. This recounts her memory of her last days with her family.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

View From Room G233

2010-03-21T16:17:00.006+08:00

The clouds are hanging gloomily in the skies. The view from my room is getting gloomier by the minute. All I see outside is a lush greenery, as my room is covered with thick foliage of trees growing outside. The leaves are rustling, albeit I am not hearing it rustle; I see the leaves rustling. A bird screeches as if calling her chicks. Once, a large multicolored bird stormed inside the room, and onto my desk. It was able to do so because of a gaping hole in the window screen. And it is from here that I am able to take this photograph.

I cannot see the sun.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Wish It Could Change

2010-03-19T22:12:00.004+08:00

I'm 20 and I'm not eligible to vote.

I don't seem to care about what people say regarding the politicians who are running for electoral seats. And amidst the buzz surrounding the elections next month, my world does not seem to be shaken. You might say that I'm an irresponsible citizen, and that I don't deserve the right to complain for the next six years of turmoil. I'd give the argument to you, for I am both. Although I do hope to become less apathetic next year, and become more patient to queue at the Comelec.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Talk About Sportsmanship

2010-03-15T22:57:00.005+08:00

Long time rivals Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras literally turned the heat on the court as the verbally battled each other during a charity tennis game.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

A Child's Innocence

2010-03-14T19:16:00.005+08:00

I remember Tita Jing sharing to us a conversation thread between a 20-something guy and a five year old kid. This happened as they were driving a 2 hour trip for the wedding. The car was jam-packed and the groom and the kid, which was the ring-bearer, were seated next to each other. Add to this, the kid has ADHD. So just imagine what it felt like for the rest of the passengers, as they tried to ease the discomfort of the kid; inventing silly games such as the silent game, etc. In the middled of this game, while everyone was enjoying the silence and the scenery, and after much restraint on the kid's part, he blurted out.

Ring-bearer: Are we there yet?

Groom: No no, we're not playing that game!

Ring-bearer: What game?

Groom: Are we there yet..

Ring-bearer: No we're not

The Rain Has Come

2010-03-12T10:31:00.009+08:00

After almost two months of drought, it finally rained. As of this writing, I am enjoying the cool breeze coming from outside my window as the rains swept the metro around 9:40 this morning. I praise God for ending El Nino's dry spell which ravaged the whole nation. Crops withered under the heat of the sun, much vegetation was affected, and dams threatened to close down operations after reaching all-time low levels.

Thinking about this, my issue with the drought is rather petty. My room faces the rays of the sun come afternoon, and I am not provided with any shade. As such, I have not been able to sleep during siesta in my room because it has been unbearably hot. I would sometimes put soaked towels by the window to ease the heat but to no avail.

The trees around the campus has started to wither too. The administration has been vigilant in planting new trees because they cannot salvage the tall trees from dying anymore. The grass at the Sunken Garden has turned anomalously brown, and patches of earth can be seen when the wind sweeps through.

But praise God for the rains! As the Lord says in Job 38:22-30:

²² "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow

or seen the storehouses of the hail,

²³ which I reserve for times of trouble,

for days of war and battle?

²⁴ What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,

or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?

²⁵ Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,

and a path for the thunderstorm,

²⁶ to water a land where no man lives,

a desert with no one in it,

²⁷ to satisfy a desolate wasteland

and make it sprout with grass?

²⁸ Does the rain have a father?

Who fathers the drops of dew?

²⁹ From whose womb comes the ice?

Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens

³⁰ when the waters become hard as stone,

when the surface of the deep is frozen?

We will never be able to question his wisdom; why the drought? We have to trust that He is sovereign.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Going Minimalist

2010-03-11T10:47:00.003+08:00

My new header represents the first initial of my blog. I'm trying to make it more minimalist. I don't know if my working definition of minimalism really reflects my blog though.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

TOSH and Timezone

2010-03-09T21:35:00.007+08:00

Last Saturday was extra special. I took a rest from a relatively restful week. Kuya Rem and I celebrated Brad's birthday by dining out at KFC then spending the whole afternoon at TimeZone. I was dog tired playing PangPang Paradise, because I was the one manually taking out the balls to be thrown as the sluice gate was not working. Because of this, my left arm developed a slight hematoma. I also enjoyed shooting hoops. I think we lingered there for some time. Our tandem [Brad and I] even set the highest score!

That night tita Jing, Jet's mom segued to visit her after attending a relative's wedding. Jet invited us to dinner with her mom. It was a hearty dinner at The Old Spaghetti House in UP Ayala Technohub, and each of us had our own fill. I was bloated after downing 6 glasses of iced tea, which by the way is really good [not the Nestea you would expect]. After that, we spent some time playing at TimeZone. Imagine spending half your day at TimeZone. Whew!

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Ear Candy

2010-03-09T13:38:00.012+08:00

Only Exception by Paramore

I actually liked the song, after much prodding from Dado. I'm not a big fan of Paramore, but the group veered away from their usual pop-rock style and rendered justice to the beautiful lyrics of the song.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

OK Go's This Too Shall Pass

2010-03-08T09:46:00.002+08:00

This music video is really cool!

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Katherine

2010-03-05T17:30:00.006+08:00

The past weeks, my classmates and I have observed that our teachers seem to hold classes less and less often. This semester is proving to be hassle-free; not what I expected. As such I have been privileged to read a number of books. Leisure reading is a past time I had dropped since entering the university. So for this year, I made a resolution that I should at least continue reading books come summer time while doing my OJT at ArmsCor, and hopefully, it will continue for the semesters to come. I have been eager to blog about my recent read, Katherine by Anchee Min. I read it a week ago [my previous read is actually George Orwell's Animal Farm].

Katherine is the story of friendship formed between two completely different women set against the backdrop of post communist China. Katherine is an American who comes to China to teach. Here she meets Zebra Wong, a 29 year old peasant who has lived through the horrors of a labor camp; a spirited soul who desires more than anything to be completely free. Katherine is introduced to the ways of China; its pretentious people, its dog-eat-dog complex, and its scheming politics. But amidst all these, her unassuming character, her red lipstick, and her forward thinking, unmasks her students' longings for real freedom. Soon, her presence challenges the authorities, and her ways trod unspoken rules. Katherine teaches her students how to dream, to desire, and above all, to love.

Anchee Min's easy prose and direct storytelling make the story more compelling. Katherine is a reminder that the Chinese heart, despite a cold exterior, beats like any other.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Ear Candy

2010-03-03T19:05:00.004+08:00

One by U2 featuring Mary J. Blige

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

DCF Election

2010-03-02T17:02:00.003+08:00

Last night, Dormitories' Christian Fellowhip held its election for next year's posts. Here are the results:

Chairperson: Del Exconde
Vice-Chair for Programs and Fellowship: Jet Penuela
Vice-Chair for Missions: Lucky Millare
Vice-Chair for Publicity: Mylene Obenita
Vice-Chair for Finance: Jayvee Camiling

Vice-Chair for Membership: Yen Perez

Vice-Chair for Prayer: Marvee Exconde

Vice-Chair for Academics and CC Representative: Diana Andino
Executive Secretary: Mike Tan

Here are the list of the new dormitory core heads

Ipil: Maynard Pastoril
Kamia: Azel Montemayor
Sampaguita: Gina Villapando
Molave: Linus Ursua
Ilang-Ilang: Aiza
Yakal: Co-heads [ Del and Mike]
Kalbrig Head: Nicole Banares

Oh, Im currently working on this one... I should be done by this by Saturday. I'm very bad with names.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

First Header

2010-03-01T09:53:00.003+08:00

I've finally succeeded in changing my header this time. Thanks to Kuya Lance for the tip. I thought that I had to manipulate the site's html in order for me to change the header, but it turned out I only need to do a few clicks with my mouse.

The header is timely. Turning a new leaf. The past months have been very tiring and trying for me. I was blessed to have been given wonderful friends who never tire to encourage me. I especially thank Pau for that heartwarming and enlightening talk we had last Saturday. I am blessed because he was used by the Lord to help me see my circumstances in His perspective.

I was renewed and restored by the Lord last week. His grace is indeed sufficient and His love encompassing. He has turned me, a shriveled old leaf into a new and greener bud. Praise the Lord!

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Psalm 8:3-9

2010-02-28T20:03:00.000+08:00

³ When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

⁷ all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

⁸ the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

I am blessed to be reminded of His grace.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Kuya Dave

2010-02-25T20:25:00.000+08:00

His full name is David Rosan Hopkin Griffiths, but he is Kuya Dave to me; and I consider him one of the greatest influences on my life.

I met him during my freshman year in the university. During that time, I was an attendee at Kalayaan Christian Fellowship and he is one of the advisers of Dormitories' Christian Fellowship, the umbrella orgaization where KalCF is a part. I remember that I was gravitated by his easy smile and gentle demeanor. He would joke around us like he knew us for years. Sometimes, we found it hard to comprehend what he was saying because of his heavy British accent. I believed one of the challenges I had to overcome was the language difference, because I found it hard to express my thoughts without stuttering. But as I soon learned, it was not so. Kuya Dave had ways of knowing and feeling how someone felt without actually explicitly talking. I guess it sounds hard to imagine, but believe me he does. For the rest of my first year, I heard him speak regularly, and without fail I was more and more drawn to him.

During my second year, I accepted the challenge of being the Kalayaan Brigade Head. Our team was composed by rookies. All of us were second years, and definitely new to the ministry. We were like tadpoles bobbing our heads out of the water, getting the hang of it, but not even knowing where to begin. I was very disappointed because the KalCF that year turned low numbers. I was frustrated and I knew I was at the verge of burning out. But it was then that the Lord used Kuya Dave to encourage me. He told me of how, during their ten years of stay as missionaries in Japan, they were able to disciple only two students. I was shocked to learn of this.

Over time, I came to learn of how he came to taste his first banana, how he became a Christian, of his sudden engagement to Ate June, and abrupt change of mind. I came to learn of his stint as a RAF soldier and how he crazily answered his comrades questions that night. I also liked how Kuya Dave narrated his love story to us, and how, he always bragged about being Catherine Zeta-Jones' neighbor. Apart from this, I remember lots and lots of fond memories with him. Whenever he would speak, he always found time for us to interact afterwards, and in his own words, its TTT—Talking Tagalog Time.

I think that of all the people who have come across my life, Kuya Dave impacted me in ways I never imagined. He became my mentor, my confidante, and my father. He was a model I looked up to. Most of the time, I sought his counsel regarding issues I never would've discussed with my father[now that he is gone]. And if I were to give an example of a person who walked his talk, that would be Kuya Dave.

One fellowship night, he talked about missions and he told us[and I think I could never paraphrase it verbatim, but the gist is somewhat like]: "Do not say, I will serve the Lord fas a short term missionary for 6 months or 2 years, because that is wrong. But that if it pleases the Lord that I will serve Him, I will do so."

Indeed, the Lord has shown me, and taught me great things through this man. And my prayer is that, as he grows ripe in age, may his love for the Lord shine brighter. And though we may never get to see each other again, I could only hope that the Lord might use me much like he used Kuya Dave.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Ear Candy

2010-02-25T11:11:00.000+08:00

Revelry by Kings of Leon

|rocky roads + ice cream|

Psalm 103

2010-02-23T12:50:00.000+08:00

May I be broken down so that I might speak these words. O Lord, you are faithful indeed! Juxtaposing your faithfulness with my unfaithfulness makes grace all the more incomprehensible; and the sacrifice of Christ beyond comparison. I am a sinner.

¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

²² Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Open House 2010

2010-02-21T12:16:00.000+08:00

Last Thursday, we slaved ourselves the entire night just to finish the designing our wing. Yakal Week's culmination event is the Open house. This happens every semester, but it is only during the second semester that corridors should be designed. This year, the theme was Culture and Couture. Kuya Mike Transfi conceptualized the Fiesta and Perya design.

The work began past ten Thursday, right after Ligwakan. The girls and the freshies from the partner corridors went here and worked on various 'ornaments' [such as the ones you see in the pictures] at the study area. Around three in the morning, a few only remained, those who practiced the dance routine, those who cut the costumes for the event the next day, and those who paint the cubes you see here. In the end, I was able to sleep only for about 30 minutes. Lei, Kuya Mike, and I were able to finish the design around 10am the following day. Twelve hours of labor.

But I was proud of myself because our wing had the most colorful design. I was curious about the other wings and decided to see their designs. It wasn't so bad, but I believed we had the best design.

I was heartbroken to find out the following day that we only managed to grab second place. Everyone cried during the awarding ceremony. But I was not there because I was fast asleep. Oh well, that's life. It's unfair, but we have to move on. I guess, next year, I won't be as hard on myself anymore.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Ligwakan 2010

2010-02-19T01:34:00.001+08:00

Ligwakan is the annual open invitation to all the candidates running for the ESC. This year, a slight change happened. Ligwakan was now co-presented by UP Lambak, a regional organization of students hailing from Cagayan Valley. The activity was hoested by Kim Suvilla and Hermie Monterde who threw in funny antics and wacky spiels.

This year, I'll probably vote for Rain Sindayen as Chair and Amme Agudo as Vice Chair. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Stand UP member, nor do I write this for propaganda purposes. The thing is, Sindayen and Agudo really gave succint and good answers. Mario Cerilles of Alyansa could get the upper hand since there's still time to catch up; after all, he was one of the top USC councilors last year. However I doubt that Beng Villamil, Kaisa's standard bearer is in for the ride.

This year, Kaisa fielded in very weak contenders. It seemed to me that their candidates still do not have the charisma, the charm, and the confidence to win votes [like what Titus Tan did last year]. I was sorry for Tonton Bacungan [despite my being an engineering student] last night. He was very uncomfortable doing the challenges, and it was evident that Agudo and Lumbera floored him literally. His answers were long but it sounded just not right. Bacungan lacked the empathy to engage the audience, as much as what Agudo or Lumbera did. In fact there was one particular instance when he answered a question regarding the Morong 43, that I seemed to get the feeling that it was all too rehearsed.

I had the opportunity to chat with a fellow Yakalite who happens to be an incumbent USC councilor but did not run again this year. He said he is rooting for Agudo, a member of Stand UP, with whom he has no ties. He also confided that he was able to work with her and he saw how she performed. Being a member of another party, did he feel he betrayed the party that backed him up last year? He said no, because you choose candidates for their competence and character, not because you are required to do so.

In that same way, I hope that this coming May elections will bring change, not only for the country but for the voting public as well. That we might choose not to vote traditional politicians, and reject the partisan political system. Let us vote people who are competent

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

That 3000

2010-02-18T19:22:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, after many months of waiting for my salary [for my student assistant stint], I received the initial payment of three thousand pesos. I labored hard for five months for that money, but it didn't stay long inside my pocket. For the past months, I have incurred a debt of about 1000 pesos to the wing fund, because I collect the water payments. This of course is carefully accounted for. I was flustered when I checked that there was a credit of about 500 pesos. This being the case, I was forced to pay the credit, knowing full well that I did not spend any of that.

From the remaining 1500 pesos, I bought one pair of jeans for about 800 pesos. The 700 pesos left of me was spent on hard to find books. I was able to purchase Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian for only 180 pesos, Gao XingJian Soul Mountain for only 250 pesos, and Franz Kafka's collection for 250 pesos. Whew! What a way to spend.

So now, I'm left with nothing.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

The Pearl

2010-02-16T21:26:00.000+08:00

I was able to grab a copy of John Steinbeck's The Pearl for only 100 pesos while scouring the UP Fair last week. Funny that I had to borrow some money from Kuya Arn just to buy this book and Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth.

The Pearl is an easy read novella. The novel opens with a day in the life of Kino, a poor fisherman, his wife Juanita and their son Coyotito. Coyotito gets stung by a scorpion and they rush him to a doctor who refuses to cure their son because they had no money. This forces Kino to dive for a pearl in exchange for the fee. What he founds however is a monstrous pearl, whom the villagers soon named as the Pearl of the World. This is where the story turns as Kino pines his hopes on the pearl for the deliverance of himself, his wife, and his son from abject poverty. Soon, he is consumed by the pearl.

The story's underlying themes are somewhat comparable to the likes of Golding's Lord of the Flies. Steinbeck is able to explore the man's struggle to rise from circumstances. The character though is engulfed by this desire, and he allowed it to get the best of him. Steinbeck allows us to confront the reality that we are all like Kino in many ways.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Tayong Dalawa: The DCF Banquet Night

2010-02-15T22:50:00.000+08:00

Dormitory Christian Fellowship's February General Assembly was a tad bit special because all the boys came in their polo and slacks, while the girls in their dresses. The GA was held at The Balay Kalinaw and was well represented by various dormitory fellowships. This year, we are privileged to have heard nuggets of wisdom from seasoned speaker, and dear alumni Kuya Francis de Vera as he talked about the prerequisites of love. He was able to relate effectively the principles found in the life of Ruth and apply it in the present circumstances. Being the relatable and conversant speaker that he is, he shared some personal stories; relying entirely from memory.

The food was sumptuous—homemade spaghetti courtesy of Ate Abby [a far-cry from the usual Coop Spag] and Chicken Fingers [although it was very large] courtesy of Kuya Pao. Ate Mylene and Ate Lucky made a lot of effort to prepare for the backdrop, which everyone jovially took turns as if it were a photo booth towards the end of the program. The attendees were treated to an encore of timeless love songs by the talented musicians of the DCF band. Kuya Arnold and I even sang Only Hope by Switchfoot, to everyone's surprise. We wore matching red polo shirts, and people started calling us Porkchop Duo [named after the famous stand-up comedian duo].

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

UP Fair 2010

2010-02-14T21:01:00.000+08:00

Since last week, a number of my friends were eagerly cajoling me to go to the UP Fair just for the hang of it. Being the party person that I never was, I politely declined. See, this fair commemorates my dreadful first [and probably last] UP Fair. However, Kuya Arnold was able to persuade me to go around the oval and inside the sunken garden just so he can watch his favorite ride—the octopus! This year, I was forced to sell tickets by the dorm because apparently, Yakal is a co-presentor of LoveRage 4: Illumine Nation. This night, instead of going out and staying up late and jumping to the tune of Pinoy bands, I opted to just study for an upcoming exam tomorrow. And no, don't pity me.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Light In August

2010-02-12T23:48:00.000+08:00

It's been six months since I started to write again. For the past weeks, I've been itching to write again but I have had the writer's bloc. I can't seem to find the right words to start an entry. Maybe because a lot has been going through my head that I cannot just put it simply into words.

Just recently, I resolved to read again; this time, I hunt for good books. I was thinking 'what if people will ask me why I read..' and I answer myself 'to be cultured'. Seriously, it doesn't have anything to do with being cultured. I just like to sound of it. I'm currently reading William Faulkner's Light in August. I'm halfway through the book and it sometimes bores me. Faulkner is a very vivid writer and his transitions are smooth. Much like Garcia-Marquez. The problem I have with Faulkner though [this is not to say that I am the standard, but pardon me] is that I cannot vividly imagine what he wants me to imagine.

However, I like the plot of the story. The protagonist is a half-black, who tries to find a place where he belongs. He becomes a foreigner to both the 'superior' whites and the blacks. Faulkner's narration is very straightforward. The author manages to explore the depths of the character, as he portrays different facets of the human persona. Faulkner simplistic approach triumphs to bare the universal. And the character's journey exposes man's deep desire for companionship and a longing for acceptance.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

He is Sovereign

2009-11-03T18:56:00.000+08:00

This picture was taken last May 2009 when I went to Baguio for a Missions Trek. It caught my attention while I was browsing through my pictures. For one, it reminded me of the Lord's faithfulness in my life. It reminded me of the joy I felt as I served Him. That time, I felt everything, including my walk would go uphill. But it was not so.

The Lord made me realize that in every thing, He is sovereign. These past months, I had struggled hard with a personal issue I never thought I would have to face. I thought of giving up and I came to the point when I asked the Lord if I could ever carry the burden, for I thought that I could only carry it for so long. It is one thing to know that the Lord is sovereign even in our direst situations; it is another to experience that knowledge that He is indeed sovereign. I experienced the latter.

I write this post to remind me of these things. And if in the future I come to face another seemingly bleak situation, I pray that God will remind me of this time that I experienced His hand directing my life.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Life and Love

2009-03-11T19:07:00.000+08:00

We are poor and insignificant. Our wretched lives have no place in human history. One day, all of us living here on Earth will be dead and gone. No one will remember us; no one will care what happened to us. We'll spend the rest of our days here arguing about what sort of degree we should finish or whether education will make a difference, but no one will care in the slightest as we're eaten up by our petty, idiotic quarrels. When I see so many people around me leading such stupid lives and then vanishing without a trace, I am rather irritated because I know then that nothing really matters in life more than love. And when I think that as my feelings for her become even more unbearable; it hurts to know that my only consolation would be to spend the rest of my life with my arms around her.

KA

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Love at First Sight

2009-03-08T21:35:00.000+08:00

It might not happen in the first instant, but within ten minutes of meeting a man, a woman has a clear idea of who he is, or at least who he might be, and her heart has already told her whether she's going to fall in love with him. But her head needs time to understand what her heart has decided. If you ask me, there's very little a man can do at that point except to wait for time to take its course. If you really love her, all you have to do is to tell her all the beautiful things you feel about her. Why you love her.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Ethics and Michael Tan

2009-02-25T20:05:00.000+08:00

Upon arriving at CAL 201, I was greeted by a noisy and jam-packed classroom. The organizers had to rearrange the chairs to provide for another row. Still, a lot of students were left standing. Because of this, my classmate and I shared a seat with one butt cheek each. I wondered why everyone was just so enthusiastic to hear Dr. Michael Tan talk about his lecture entitled “Mabuti o Mabait: Ethics in the Filipino Home and Workplace”.

Even before I entered the university, I had been reading his columns in the newspaper from time to time. Apart from having the same name, I was particularly interested in him because of his broad knowledge and critical take on things. He writes almost about anything under the sun in his columns. That afternoon though was far from normal, I was jittery while waiting for him because I will get to meet and hear him talk.

Despite the fact that he was educated in North America and in Europe, Dr. Michael Tan had the easy charisma all throughout the talk. He started by flashing the objectives of the lecture then segued to discuss the origins of the word ethics, which came from the Latin word ethikos meaning “arising from habit”. On the other hand, Aristotle defines the term as hexis which means an acquired yet entrenched state of moral character that orients our feelings and desires in a situation. In between his slides, Dr. Tan gave concrete examples in the Filipino context to illustrate his arguments, to which the students readily gave a slight nod to show recognition.

Dr. Tan continued his talk by explaining that ethics, as a science, is a branch of Philosophy that deals with the characterization of good and bad/evil. He posited that Ethics in the earlier times was based on Religion. However, taking Religion out of the context of ethics became problematic for some scholars. He said that religious-based ethics are often tied to ideas of rewards and punishment. It is pervasive and permeating, and almost always in varying degrees affects daily activities of those who adhere to the belief.

In the recent times, different takes on the concept of ethics were established. The Age of Enlightenment has brought numerous ideas, from which the curricula of many Ethics courses in universities are patterned. Even so, these diverse ideas all take root on four basic principles: Beneficence, Malficence, Autonomy, and Fairness.

As the chair of the recently offered BioEthics course in the university, Dr. Tan told us that all four principles must be satisfactorily met before a surgical operation is to be done in PGH. The principle of Beneficence asks whether the action will do something good to others. In the same way, the principle of Malficence asks whether the action will cause harm. The principle of Autonomy seeks that the effect of an action must respect the individual, and finally, the principle of Fairness ensures whether the action metes justice to all.

As a summary of the four principles he discussed, he gave specific instances where the principles are clearly seen. The examples ranged from the most common questions (such as whether it is ethical to make tsismis, sulsol, and sipsip) to the mundane (such as whether it is ethical to use tabo in the toilet, or to listen to the walkman). While he was able to clarify his points through these examples, he never failed to make the audience laugh.

He segued to talk about the ethics in the Philippines which he says is based on power. The more power a person has, the more amplified his actions become. Because of this, a person will almost always put a greater premium on his “hiya” rather than doing what is ought to be done. The person does what is Mabuti rather than what is Mabait to please everybody. Consequently, the four principles are impaired. In conclusion, he challenged the audience to shift our power-based ethics to “kusa”-based ethics, a system (kaugalian) that stems from the heart and is not impaired by the judgment of other people (hiya).

That 90 minute talk proved to be very educational as well as entertaining. Dr. Michael Tan was a very charismatic speaker. He was very straightforward in pointing out his arguments; and in the same way, he was also very quick to give humorous examples. His broad knowledge is only supplemented by his excellent command of the English language. Now I no longer wonder why a lot of people wanted to hear him out.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

2009-02-23T21:54:00.002+08:00

2009 USC Elections Mudslinging (February 20, 2008) - Part 7 from Rachel Miranda on Vimeo.

2009-02-23T21:54:00.001+08:00

2009 USC Elections Mudslinging (February 20, 2008) - Part 6 from Rachel Miranda on Vimeo.

2009-02-23T21:53:00.001+08:00

2009 USC Elections Mudslinging (February 20, 2008) - Part 5 from Rachel Miranda on Vimeo.

2009-02-23T21:52:00.001+08:00

2009 USC Elections Mudslinging (February 20, 2008) - Part 4 from Rachel Miranda on Vimeo.

2009-02-23T21:51:00.002+08:00

2009 USC Elections Mudslinging (February 20, 2008) - Part 3 from Rachel Miranda on Vimeo.

2009-02-23T21:51:00.001+08:00

2009 USC Elections Mudslinging (February 20, 2008) - Part 2 from Rachel Miranda on Vimeo.

2009-02-23T21:50:00.001+08:00

2009 USC Elections Mudslinging (February 20, 2008) - Part 1 from Rachel Miranda on Vimeo.

Room 214

2009-02-21T20:36:00.000+08:00

The title might suggest a song, but in fact it isn't. Room 214 of Yakal Residence Hall is where I'm staying. The room's features are the same for all the boy's corridors. A long built-in table divided into four sections by the overhead shelves serves as the study area. The room is divided into two sections by a high cabinet which separates the double bunker beds from the study area. Room 214 is probably the most ventilated room I had been in since staying I stayed in a dormitory. The window overlooks the shady portion of the dormitory provided by the towering Caimito tree; because of this, the room remains cool all throughout the day. The midday heat is warded off by the large aluminum water tank just below the canopy of the Caimito. In addition, the tank cools the humid breeze when the water overflows. More than being in the coolest room, I am especially blessed to have even cooler roommates.

My first roommate is Nikkoleo Estrebilla, a third year ECE from South Cotabato, who was a floormate back in Kalai. One thing about him is that he is very diligent; and because of this, he manages to be at the very least a college scholar almost every semester. He is very polite and sensitive towards us. In addition, he easily gives away his signature smile-and-nod whenever we see each other around. Nikko is a very very deep sleeper and is rarely awoken by his alarm clock. Apart from his being a deep sleeper, he also falls into sleep very quick. His short breaks are usually spent napping, which makes me envy him because I do not fall asleep as easily as he does. Almost always when I arrive at our room, I would see Nikko sitting comfortably on his chair engrossed by the movie he was watching. Last year before the semester concluded for the Christmas break, his laptop got stolen by an outsider.

My second roommate is John Kenneth Suarez, a second year taking up CE. Last year, I mistook him for being a year older than he really was because the three of us entered Yakal at the same time. He is very smart, witty, and well-informed. He likes to read a lot of good novels. He also sleeps easily, and much like Nikko, his in-between-class breaks are spent napping. Even with his demanding academic load, he is still able to find time for his girlfriend and for playing volleyball and basketball.

My third roommate is Ralph Mancenido. He is on his second year taking up PubAd. He is very quiet, also, he is very quiet. And most of all, he is very quiet. I do not mean to exxagerate, but he is very quiet. One thing about him is that you'll never see him stealing anyone's spotlight. Another thing about him is that he is very very studious. We can all testify to the fact that he has never opened his laptop to listen to music, watch a movie, or play a game. His laptop is always for study purposes. Whenever I am inside, Raplh is either quietly studying in his area or still quietly sleeping in his bunk. We all concede to the opinion that maybe everything he does must be defined by the word quiet. He is apathetic, and I do not mean to say that it is negative, but the thing with Raplh is that he does not even laugh with our jokes or share anything about himself at all.

Dormitory life is indeed a mixture of diverse personalities. Every room is just a surprise on its own. Apart from the vandals on the walls, the four corners of the room has a story to tell. The surprises of group living is surely something I'll find hard to exchange come dormitory application time. But one thing is sure, Room 214 is going to get really interesting in the days to come.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Ligwakan 2008

2009-02-19T18:35:00.000+08:00

Ligwakan is the annual USC elections campaign here in Yakal. The parties are invited over to present their respective General Plans of Action and to discuss relevant issues. Through this event, students are bridged and introduced to the future leaders of the university. More than being a venue to hear out what the candidates have to say, the event also gives the residents a clearer view of the candidates' personalities through seasoned games.

This year especially, I am most critical to whom I will place my vote. The candidates' answers, the standard bearers especially, have changed my views and my votes. Moments ago, my decision to vote for Titus Tan had been reinforced because of his answers. Among the three candidates, I found him very witty and straightforward. He is very composed and sure of what he talks about. Although being an eloquent speaker does not provide a clear cut reference as to what kind of leader a person will become; nonetheless, the ability to communicate ideas effectively could be considered a good indicator. All the candidates answered the questions gracefully even if they were under pressure. However, it was only Tan and Cadiogan who were able to convincingly answer the questions. Both of them were sure and confident in their stand. In the end, I was won by Tan's succinct answers.

The candidates for the Vice-Chairperson are different. Eroles gave straightforward answers and was even able to rally other points in between. She had a light and nonchalant air around her, and was very cool in answering the questions even towards the end. On the other hand, Joseph Guttierez was not able logically present his ideas. I am fairly sure that he had the ideas with him but it seemed he found it hard to put everything into words during that time. My Vice-Chairperson's vote still had not been cast. My views are biased because Kuya Lance told me that Guttierez was able to figure out ways to repaint the Vinzon's Hall. On the other hand, my vote is still subject to change as I have not heard of any concrete actions implemented by Eroles during her term.

In my opinion, the line-up of Kaisa and Alyansa [and Airah Cadiogan] stood out among the candidates. I hope that come election time, we will exercise our right to vote. We must choose leaders without prejudice or indecisiveness. For all that, we must be critical of our choices and vote for those people whom we know will deliver change.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Stars

2009-02-15T18:26:00.000+08:00

From that day on, I realized she was looking at something far higher than me. Transcendent maybe. I knew by the way she stared at me that I was not the one and that the only thing that we can or will ever be is only friends. I was flooded with despair and hopelessness as my eyes darted from the scenic background to her face. The stars shone like it had never done for 19 years that night. It seemed to pulsate a softer glow, like the way my eyes pleaded to her. If only my eyes could talk. I had never seen her so contented and so happy. It was as if the whole world was awash with darkness and she was the only source of light. For what I had seen in her eyes, I knew I had lost a fight I never fought. Suddenly, I was lost in my own reverie and the only thing that's left was to do enjoy the stars and her company.

PS Fictional

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

The Attack of the Jumping Jologs

2009-02-14T06:41:00.000+08:00

Last night, I went to the UP fair for the first time hoping to experience what its like. I was expectant about the bands and the fair itself because for two years now, I had not been to a fair night. We started queuing in around 8pm and by the time we got inside the perimeter fence [which is made of yero, but let me not get ahead of myself], it was already 11 pm. A lot of the bands good bands have already made their act and everyone was eager for Bamboo and the fireworks. We toured around the fair grounds for some time and ate some food, which by the way is not what you can call a gastronomic delight. The fair in itself was festive and the crowd was just cheerful. But outside the fence was a different story.

The crowd inside the grounds numbered roughly about 10,000 that night; in addition, another roughly 10,000 are still queuing. More than half of the people waiting outside the area are the jumping jologs, and they actually do not have tickets. Around 11:30, we were in one of the booths near the entrance area when a howling sound broke, and a mini-stampede ensued. More than 50 jumping jologs broke into the gate and started running inside. The organizers, unprepared that an event like that might happen, was not able to do anything for about five 10 seconds. There were only about three or four bouncers at the gate, and they were not enough to stop the stampede at once. By the time the commotion was under control, the queue outside the fair was already a mess. The crowd was very rowdy and they started kicking the yero [fence] and throwing stones from the outside. In short, they were jeopardizing the event. Another mini stampede broke loose after that becuse the bouncers cannot hold back the jumping jologs anymore. It was only because of the police reinforcements that came just in time that the organizers were able to subdue the crowd.

I heard much later that there were casualties in the event. A policeman trying to fight the jumping jologs was hit by a stone in the head. He was reported to have bled, but good thing was that he wasn't killed. One of the yero fences actually gave in minutes after Bamboo performed; consequently, this prompted the organizers to put on hold the remaining acts, and much later to dismiss the entire event.

It was very disappointing for me because I had expected a lot. Nonetheless, we can never actually point out who's to blame. The jumping jologs may have caused mayhem because they cannot not lose control when their favorite bands play, or that they are just die hard fans of the bands. On the other hand, I think that the organizers had failed to invest in crowd security. The jumping jologs have always been a part of the fair, and I think that security is only a matter of controlling them. There were no visible police forces patrolling in the grounds, or should I say that there were no police forces at all?

The event that happened should serve as a lesson to everyone the next time around. LoveRage 3: Break the Curse... everyone here in the dorm sardonically speaks, Rage: Break the Fence.. hahaha

So much for my first time.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Busy

2009-02-09T07:06:00.000+08:00

The past 2 weeks had been very demanding. There was only one week left for discussion in between the second and third ES 13 exams. In addition to that, I had seven exams jam-packed within that two weeks. I'm going to take ES 13's third long exam later. I'm busily cramming all the concepts there is and analyzing what I can't analyze. Tomorrow's going to be a breather for me. I am hoping that the exam is going to be relatively easy this time.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Fallen Leaves

2009-01-28T18:15:00.000+08:00

It is autumn and the trees are starting to shed off their colors again. The palette of the landscape seems to change abruptly from green to yellow; and in this rate, I bet come next week, all the leaves would have turned crisp brown. Even the surrounding air is becoming thick, too thick for me. Autumn seems to be the most melancholic among the seasons and the deathly pale palette of the surroundings is an indictment of the fact. Almost everything is changing all at the same time. The trees are preparing for dormancy, shedding out their leaves to protect themselves from the coming snow. The fallen leaves would just hang around the corner of the park, waiting for Nature's turn to do her part. It is this time, that the stench seems to permeate the grounds surrounding the rotting pile. And the air becomes thick. Forgive me for being biased but I would've gladly exchanged any weather, or season for that matter, for autumn.

I remember the summers and the way you once laughed. The afternoons we spent drenched in rain, running off like wild hogs, not caring if our slippers get stuck in mud. Those times when everything went lazily, like big clouds billowing across the vast blue canvass. I miss those times when we'd spend the time scavenging for green mangoes and guavas without our neighbor's permission. Or that you and I talked. I miss you talking.

Much like autumn, you changed. Your smile withered like the rest of the leaves do. I began to wonder what happened, but like the seasons, change is inevitable. Those changes, and all the other seemingly little alterations hit me when I least expected it. I was so self-absorbed by the changes I noticed within myself that I never considered that we all metamorphose. Maybe it was, and still is, a matter of who gets to become the most beautiful butterfly after all, that we see who changed the most. Like a caterpillar, I have woven so much detail in my life to the point that I have become too conceited and too vain to notice that others are also weaving their very own cocoons.

Honestly, it horrified me to see you change. Admittedly, I had changed too. But I was wrong to assume that you did not. I was wrong to have continually expected something from you, something you cannot give because it is not there anymore. It had withered, like the leaves. Maybe I was disappointed because I expected too much. All of us had changed, it just takes different times for us to realize that. It took me one month to realize that you had. Nevertheless, I was lucky enough not to be burdened by the prospect of change, because I know of people who go through great lengths to picture and make sense of all the events but then get beaten because they can't. We can never really pinpoint change. Sometimes, its the small things that we do that matter. The inconsequential things of the present bear great ramifications in the end.

I never saw each leaf fall. At the very least, I could say I never cared to see each leaf fall. It suddenly hit me that the once lush tree has given way, and all the leaves have fallen already. So now, I bid adieu to those memories. What I could only hope for now is that, like the tree shedding its leaves, may you become lush again. Like you always used to be.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Unfinished

2009-01-19T18:57:00.000+08:00

The old times may have gotten the best from their lives, but for the past week they have stopped doing their monotonous and busy routines and have opted instead to resign on sitting alongside each other comfortably on a worn-down and unmatched sofas, drinking the same decaffeinated, bland coffee which has always been their common favorite and for which they came to know each other. They have grown old now, and could barely even make the coffee for themselves. Years ago, he would not have put his pen down at the office had he not been in an accident. He has always been fastidious in his choices; whether it be his type of gin, or his work ethics, or his insatiable palate for exotic and different women. He had exquisite taste for women, but he is certainly most biased towards blondes and chinky-eyed, which is why everyone kept asking why he ended up with his wife. He is, to a considerable degree, feared in his workplace due to his capricious demands. His colleagues have somehow wondered whether he is an OC, but he has always been too blunt to tell them no. For his fifteenth year in the company, he has fired over two dozen secretaries, all for the same reason, and he would tell everyone "that they make bland coffees;" to which his colleagues would defend: "but you told her you want your coffee decaf with no sugar." He has a peculiar way of tasting bland coffees and more peculiar ways of telling whether the non-sachharine coffee is indeed bland. His wife was a mulatto and she grew up in Colombia back in the time when women who were told to sit could only pee sitting, and men should burn their asses off from work and sleep at home. Her mother raised her and her 5 other siblings, two of which were unfortunate like her, in that way. Her father, a businessman never interfered with her mother. When she was 10, she already knew all the basic house chores and a few common dishes. And when she was old enough to understand that men only thought of two things, that being money and women, she had her first menstruation on the eve of a party his father was hosting. She became aghast and her face went from pinkish to pale white, much like the color of recycled paper, the moment she saw her stained skirt. She did not know what was happening, and the unusual sensation that trickled through her body only made it worse.

They met each other during that fated moment, when she was pale white with horror, and he blushing profusely because of the scene. They were 11 years apart. To her family, it did not matter. He

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Innocence

2009-01-08T18:24:00.000+08:00

We all dreamt big dreams once. As a kid, I remember picturing myself wearing a stethoscope, as it was my notion of a successful doctor. Every kid I knew back then would want to have a white collared job someday to be able to buy the best Barbie dolls, the miniature F1 collectibles or eat whatever food they liked for the moment. I laugh as I remember that as kids, my brothers would brag or imagine the silliest of things.

At the Airport

2008-12-18T12:01:00.000+08:00

All the sounds are drowned by David Archuleta's Crush. I find solace in a corner where I plug my laptop and quickly key in Multiply. Minutes from now I'll be home. Weird enough, I don't feel giddy about the prospect of going home.

Two months before, I was all fired up to go home but I later realized that the exam date schedule still covered the flight date I had booked. I found out that my Chem 31 lecture exam was scheduled on the afternoon of the last day of the exam week, which was also the day of my flight. The most depressing thing about the already depressing thing was that I missed the cut-off mark for exemptions by five points! Five points meant one class meeting which I had not attended. Five points meant I would not had bothered myself to rebook the flight again and pay the penalties.

After that, the excitement just waned. I have always wanted to see my brothers, but now I feel so much empty. I don't even plan to see my classmates, albeit they badly want to see me. GTG.

|rocky roads + dirty ice cream|

Quotable Quotes from UP Professors (Reposted)

2008-12-12T13:59:00.000+08:00

Got this compilation of UP profs' quotable quotes from my friend's site. Reminds me of my college days sa UP.

Totoo kaya lahat? :) Pero yung iba familiar talaga!

1. "The aim of policy making is to invoke
action! Because action speaks louder
than words! You do not just say I love you. You say:
If you love me, enter me! " -Dr. Alfonso Pacquing

2. "Class, next week na lang ung result sa exam
nyo. I am having a hard time
checking it. I will seek first the divine guidance on
what to do about it.
Class don't worry about your grade. Let me worry
about it." Sir de jesus,envi sci 1

3. (valentines day)

"Ano ba yan? Students ba kayo ng UP? Bakit ang
bababa ng scores niyo?
Siguro wala kayong date ngayong valentines kaya
ganito kayo. Losers!!!
When i was your age i had a
date. Hindi ba naapektuhan ng UP FAIR
euphoria ng grades niyo? Parang di kayo
masaya..." (sabay matching tapon ng quizzes sa sahig)
"I won't record this. Go find a date."
(sabay walk out.) -Sir Doliente,BA.

4. Ma'am: Many people believe that we, psychology
graduates can read minds...
(silence) Actually, we can.
Class: Weh.. Sample..
Ma'am: Right now, you think that I'm bluffin
-Ma'am Chei Billedo, Psych

5. "I don't give surprise long exams. all
exams are announced. Halimbawa,
Class, mageexam tayo, NGAYON NA!" -Ma'am
Chei

6. "The human body is 70% water. Kaya wala
kayong kasaysayan lahat. Pag may
kaaway ka, sabihin mo sa kanya, TUBIG KA LANG!!! -Dr.
Recio

7. "Oo, nagpapaulan ako ng uno... baket? aanhin
ko ba nun? di naman ako
yayaman dun." -Sir Atoy Navarro, histo I

8. (commenting on a thesis of a
senior student) 'Yang thesis mo? .. Mamamatay ka!!
Mamamatay ka!!' - Dr. llanes, UPM.

9. "Nasa bandang gilid ang fallopian tube. Kaya
kung gusto niyong magka-anak
ng asawa niyo, dapat nakatagilid kayo habang
gumagawa." -Ma'am Meggie, Zoo 10

10. "Last sem was the first time that I gave a
grade of 5, and it felt good!!!"
Prof Goldie, Comm II, circa 1998, first day of class

nung freshie ako:
atheist ako, pero pag nasa bahay, nagro rosary kami
ng Nanay ko, eh kung magalit sa kin yun.
--Socio 11 Prof

11. "you do not fall in love; you rise in love.
That's how you love rationally." --Dr. FG david

12. "Try to die! Try to die!" - sir billones,
on a student who is palpitating while taking the exam. He
claims that after incident refreshed na lagi yung
estudyante. If I know, pag naaalala ng
estudyanteng yun yung moment na yun,
kaya siya laging refreshed, kasi natatawa siya pag
naaalala niya iyon.

13. "Anong molars? You don't say molars because
it is an adjective! Do you say beautifuls?" - ma'am
ilao, to a student who said "n molars"

14. "Kahit magpakamatay ka pa di mo masasagot yang
problem set na yan dahil pang-157 (phy chem II) yan!" -
ibid

15. "Do not memorize! Analyze!" - doc nic,
advising us, her students never to memorize reaction
mechanisms

16. "Kaya nga ideal eh, hindi siya nangyayari sa
totoong buhay. Pero an approximation is good enough" -
sir engle, on ideal and real systems

17. "Don't take the BAR and yourselves too
seriously. baka mabalitaan nalang namin na nag-o-oral
summation kayo sa Luneta. O lumulutang-lutang sa PasigRiver. Enjoy
yourselves, relax, and read at least 15 hours a day.
Nakakabobo ang sobrang tulog. MAg relax ka habang nagbabasa. Magrelax
habang nagmi-memorize. "

18. "Pag nananaba ka sa oras ng exams, ibig sabihin
di ka papasa."

19. "Oh the BAR isn't scary. It's
terrifying. It might even kill you."
and the unforgettable: "Wow. Rape-able."
and "Stand up Miss ___ so that I might see the contours
of your body."

alternately encouraging and disheartening ang drama
nitong prof na'to.

20. Ito naman from our Prof. Ancient:
"Mga engineers? Nako. Bihira pumapasa sa
BAR."

"UP ka nag-undergrad? Bright ka ba?"

"Sa mga taga-UP lang ako bilib eh. Pagpasok nila
sa lawschool, hindi sila disoriented. Bilib ako sa study
habits na meron yang mga batang yan. Some of them look like
they eat kamote thrice a day, pero ang utak, di
ututin!" (ewan ko kung matutuwa ako dito o hindi)

21. sabi ng aming
dean who is 80 yrs old, "class your laughing now,
but i will predecease you all"

22. prof: O, meron na bang nakapunta sa inyong XXX
class: (tahimik)
prof: (medyo nadisappoint) Ano?! Puro na lang ba kayo
aral?
Aral na lang kayo ng aral, ha? Wala na kayong
napupuntahan kakaaral niyo!

same prof: Nakita niyo na ba ang Hooverdam?
class: (tahimik uli)
prof: Hehehehe, ang yabang ko talaga!

Second day of classes
Same Prof: (kinuha ang box ng colored chalks) Ano ba
naman ito... (tapos iniitsa sa lamesa yung mga dark colored
chalks)
class: (tahimik na nagmamasid)
Prof: Class, sulatan niyo ang manufacturer ng chalk
na ito, at sabihing tanggalin na ang mga walang kwentang
kulay na ito... brown, green, violet. hindi makikita ito sa
board. Convince them
class: (tahimik at gulat)

Prof: and .25 incentive sa final grade niyo!

23. terror prof after an exam (last day na din ng
class..): ok class.. see you next sem!

"Ateneo is not a university, it's a diploma
mill. Bakit ba nakangiti pa mga estudyante dyan kapag
lalabas sila ng gate nila, hindi ba nila nalalaman ang nami-miss
nila sa edukasyon?"

"The more wisdom you obtain, the more you shut
your mouth. This is because the more that you learn, the
more you realize that there are even more things that you do
not know. The true mark of an idiot is a loudmouth, the true
mark of a wise man is humility" --Paraphrased
galing kay PI100. best prof sa CAL.

24. "IE? Di naman engineering yun e" –Thesis adviser

25. Classmate: Ma'am, pwede po bang next week na kami
mag report?
Ma'am: Alam mo, God is good. And I am God. So
yes, pwede next week.

26. galing kay sir U eliserio during creative writing
class...
"try everything once except incest"

and one day pumasok ng room, galit na galit. hinagis
ang bag sa table, nagwawala sa harap ng room dahil hindi daw
nasagot ng previous class niya ang question niya.
kaya dapat daw masagot namin, ang makasagot may plus points.
kapag walang makasagot, lagot kami. ang tanong....
"class, sinong lalaking artista dun sa TV show na wonder years"?

27. "Mamatay na mangopya..." saka "Ang hindi maka-100, bobo!".

28. "im gay. so gay i could show you my penis
because it is but an accessory to my body"
-jean navera, spcm1

29. FIRST DAY OF CLASSES: "Kung may boyfriend o
girlfriend kayo na hindi taga-UP, hiwalayan niyo na agad.
Walang pupuntahan yan. Hindi kayo
magkaka-intindihan. Tapos yung mga anak niyo, magiging
bobo. Gusto niyo ba yun?" (si Avecilla malamang ito!)

30. ANOTHER PROF: "Hoy girls, wag kayong kukuha ng
boyfriend dito sa UP. Pare-parehas tayong mahirap dito.
Kumuha kayo ng mayaman. 80% of the child's
intelligence comes from the Mother naman eh. Kayo guys, wag
kayo kukuha ng bobong babae. Kahit matalino kayo, magiging bobo
anak niyo."

31. "Class, Chinatownis not in China. And Ateneo de
Manila University is not... a university."

32. STUDENT: Sir, pwede po magpa-sit in yung friends ko?
PROF: From what school are they?
STUDENT: St. Scho po.
PROF: "Go ahead. So they'll realize what
they're missing. St. Scho, St. Scho... eskwelahan na ba
yun sa inyo?!"

33. sa PHILO:
"I THINK THEREFORE I AM FROM UP!"

34. "Class, kaya mahal ang bayad sa mga professors
sa ibang school kasi ang bobobo ng mga estudyante dun. Dyuskoh,
I used to teach there... at lumuluha talaga ako ng
dugo bago maintindihan ng mga students yung sinasabi ko. Ang
mahal nga ng bayad, magkakasakit ka naman sa panga kakaulit ng
lessons! Wag na lang! Dito na ko sa UP, at least
nagkakaintindihan tayo. Diba?"

35. Dahil kami ang mga huling estudyante ni Dr.David at
mahal na mahal namin siya, nag-compile kami dati ng mga
quotable quotes mula sa kanya. Ito ang ilan:

"Meanings we find are the meanings we
make."
"WHAT YOU LEARN IN UP IS TO GO ON AND NEVER GIVE
UP. THAT IF THERE BE ONE PERSON LEFT STANDING, LET IT BE
ME. LET ATENEO FALL FIRST BEFORE UP..."
"The measure of a man is how many doors he has
opened to other people, especially to those he doesn't
know."
"To be born is to die. In between they grow and
multiply like flies. 6.2 billion people in the world.
Kadiri, ano?"
"Why not life? Why call it soul? Call a spade a
spade."
"Earth is the only heaven we can know."
"religion is a successful economic institution"
"Do not live long enough to be worthless."
"Domestication of the human male is one of the
greatest achievement of the human race."
"I do not know many. I only know enough to teach
my classes."

36. "We do not accept anyone here in class except
for those who are members of a certain minority group. For
example, gays are part of a minority group, bakla ka
ba? If you admit to this class that you are gay, then
I'll admit you"
-Prof "hail to the chair", to a guy student
na nagpre-prerog

37. "kapatid ng sinungaling ang magnanakaw.
"ergo, gma's marriage to mike arroyo is null
and void ab initio."

consti law class, 1st sem, AY 2005-06

38. "running for summa ka? mapapagod ka lang."

39. "Bilib ka kay Alan Peter Cayetano? E ambaba ng
grades n'un e!"

40. "Si Miriam, crush ko 'yun dati. Muntikan na
maging kami, kaso nasiraan ng ulo, kaya 'yun, iba ang
asawa ko."

41. "Class, gusto ko kayong i-train na mag-English,
so when you're here in class, magsalita kayo ng English!
Ako lang ang exempted dahil matanda na ako at ako ang
teacher!"

42. Ma'am Vitriolo (2nd to the last meeting)
Okay class, next week, we start the lecture proper.

43. more of Ma'am Ilao "Hindi mahirap makakuha
ng UNO sa class ko. Yung gumradweeeyt last year na Magna Cum Laude ng Biochem,
uno siya sakin sa Chem 18"

44. Sabi ng Prof ko dahil may kaklase akong recite ng
recite w/o raising her hand "I think this is the first time i have a student w/ tourette
in my class..."
Recite parin ng recite yung student "Wow the
ejaculatory comments just don't stop!"

45. from my socsci1 prof last sem: "Birds of the
same feather FLOCK together...don' t forget the L".

46. "I'll strangle you, strangle you really
hard, smack right in your jugular (pause ng mga 5 seconds),
you do know where your jugular is?"

47. "Be ready with your speech because I am going to
lambaste you!"
-namutla nalang yung classmate kong freshie after
hearing sir navera sa spcm 1 namin

48. 'bakit parang napakaligaya ng klase niyo? maging
sad naman kayo, 5 mins.' - prof ko sa math 100.

49. "well of course when you sell your soul you have
to make an elaborate justification to make yourself feel
good." -Sir Walden Bello, Socio 127,
this sem grabe ang galing ni sir bello. nakakaamaze.

50. "ano bang natapos mo? italian 8?"

"punyetissima! " (sosyal pati mura
italian!)

"look at me i'm 433 years old pero ang lakas
lakas ko pa. eh kung walang gulay eh di kakain na lang ako
ng damo. kung wala eh di tubig, kung wala mag-ipon na
lang ako ng laway."
-Sir Tiamson, Italian 11, this sem

51. When you graduate, then you begin to live.
-Dr. Carmen Jimenez, Psych 118

52. from Prof Soresca in my spanish 1 class
Prof:"Mr. Gatbunton, why are you late?!"
Student:"Sorry Mam, galing pa ako Las
Pinas."
Prof: "Ladies, don't marry somebody from Las
Pinas because they have bamboo organs!!"

53. "there are only two countries who still use
Fahrenheit.. the United States of America and Liberia... a
pathetic country in africa"

--Sir Argete

54. Marx is more Christian than Christ and Christ is more
Marxist than Marx. - Sir Lanuza.

55. May kaklase ako, may jowang taga Ateneo
"Ateneo? How could you love someone from the
Ateneo?"

56. sa geol11, ayaw mag-recite ng mga classmates ko..
sabi ni ma'am cathy "wag na mahiya, you have
nothing to lose but your face.."

57. si sir agapito..habang 2nd exam at malakas ang ulan..

"ang lakas ng ulan, ayos yan at least hindi
halata pag umiiyak.."

58. Class: Sir, sa exams po ba nagbibigay kayo ng partial
points?
Prof: Hmm, if I see partial wisdom.

59. "It's okay to smoke inside my class. As long
as you don't breathe it out." -Dr. Obsioma, Biodiversity

60. "Oh, this is good. It's poetic because
it's perfectly stupid." - Ricardo de
Ungria last week on my classmate's work.

61. Prof: Did I remind the class last meeting that
we're going to have an exam today?
Class: (dead air)
Prof: Ok, it seems I forgot to remind the class that
we're going to have an exam today. I'm giving you
five minutes then to buy a bluebook. We're going
to have an exam today.

62. sir tiamson (span 11)
"ayan, di ka makasagot. yung bakal sa ngipin mo
naapektuhan na yung pagsasalita mo"

September

2008-12-07T10:14:00.000+08:00

The leaves are starting to fall again. This is the time of the year when I feel that intense longing again. I look out my window and i see a clear view of the skies. Uninterrupted and blue. Much like when we were still together.

It was this same sunny day, when the leaves have fallen altogether and the stems that hold them are easily swayed by the wind. I clearly remember now, It was under this same sunny sky where we first met. I was young then, and naive. Did you ever think that we could be great friends after you helped me get up from my fall? I did not think so. I found you arrogant then. You never even cared to talk to me. You just skidded past after helping me.

Then for the succeeding days, I began to notice that you jog on a regular basis around the Acad Oval too. On Mondays, you wore that plain white shirt and the maroon shorts with your surname etched boldly at the back. On Wednesdays, the plain navy blue shirt; on Fridays a black shirt. Sundays were special because you wore that grey sando, which smoothly curved out your physique. Never mind that I was able to memorize your wardrobe.

Then one sunday, I finally decided to go against the norm by trying to grab your attention myself. Maria Clara's are supposedly faced out today right? I thought that if I acted that I had fits of asthma, I could easily get your eyes to spot me. And perhaps you'd notice that my hair is a tad more neat than it was. But I was wrong. How will I ever forget your stare when I acted as though I fainted? You JUST STARED at me! You did not even bother to help me at all. You never knew this, but what was worse was that I was berated by the triage nurse at the infirmary after confirming that I had no medical history of asthma. For one week, I had to duck under the trees and hide myself form the SSB because apparently, everyone knew I feigned fainting and they laughed their hearts out about the incident.

After what happened, I considered you a challenge. The next week, I pretended to have fallen and scathed my knee so that I everyone would see I couldn't run easily. I might have succeeded in declaring to the whole world that I was injured, because even the SSB's noticed. Everyone seemed to know, except of course you. The next week, you'd saw me running with a boquet of roses from a supposed secret admirer, whom I paid for dearly. The succeeding weeks witnessed how desperate I've gotten, strategically dropping my towels and even my cellphone just so you'd be the one to retrieve it. If only I found a way to drop my panties, I would've done so, but then you'd always find a way to return it back through the SSBs. Out of desperation, I even tried to bribing my brother to bump me [just lightly] using dad's car at your hindsight; but of course he wouldn't budge.

At the end of two months, every SSB guard in every shift knew me by name. Just when I never tried to prepare any antic that sunday because I was seriously thinking of giving up; you talked to me.

It was an afternoon I will never forget. I thought I heard the leaves rustle when you did so. Soon, the bench I sat upon, the towel, the hairpins, the shoes, and even to the combination of shampoo and conditioner I used seemed to matter. Why did you talk to me?

And then you jokingly told me that it was a wonder why I never got into trouble today. And you said your name, and I fell in love with the name after that.

Part 2 coming up [when i feel it.]

flight

2008-12-03T08:08:00.000+08:00

I shuddered as the taxi stopped at our destination. The gloomy sky was less ominous than it had been yesterday when my mother told me I needed to come home because of an emergency. I tried to argue that I could be home in a matter of two days if I take the boat, but she wouldn't budge in. The sight of the airport scared me. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of the airport itself. What I am afraid of is the prospect that I will be 65,000 feet up in the air on a massive steel structure that would've otherwise defied gravity. I am an acrophobic, and I have always been afraid of heights.

The security greeted me warmly. Inside the airport, the mayhem seemed to be an indication that everything is going well. Across the hallway, three passengers frantically raced against time as the tried to catch up on their scheduled flight. Beads of sweat poured all over their faces. I fell into a file of passengers all waiting for the next domestic flight to Davao. A tall and obese male foreigner easily blocked my view of the teller. He was slightly inclined forward with his head appearing just above the broadness of his shoulders. I moved sideways to check the pace of the line and I was amused with what I saw.

The woman next to the foreigner guy, who was probably in her early forties kept her foreigner friend busy by constantly hugging him and showering him with tender kisses. She wore a tube top and black leather skirt to match her deep red lipstick shade and an excess of mascara. The balding man, who towered easily above the girl and whose belly seemed to vibrate everytime he laughed, obviously reciprocated her actions much to his heart's content. I thought to myself that I needed to bear this nonchalant countenance throughout the inspection process, as I was behind them.

Due to the short notice mom gave me, I had no time to pack my things. I practically brought only three shirts, personal stuff and undergarments enough to last for two days. I counted on the fact that my sister still had those small sized shirts she once wore when her figure permitted her so. This became an advantage for me because I did not have to go under the glaring eyes of tenacious inspectors.

At the last stop of the inspection where everyone was supposed to pass a metal detector, the woman entered the passage with ease. Having done so, she took off with her hand carried luggage, forgetting that her friend was obviously horizontally gifted would have a hard time passing through. The man considered the size of the passage for an instant and braced himself. He leaned slightly so that his head got inside first before his massive arms and chest did. Upon realizing he stood a chance to pass safely, he skidded in a swift motion but to everyone’s disappointment he was stuck.

A commotion broke as the metal detector rang and the guards scurried past to check what was wrong. Fortunately for me, I was escorted by an attendant who told me that since I had no large baggage, I can proceed immediately to the waiting area. I seated myself comfortably on a chair and took out my magazine to pass the time, suppressing the giggle as I recounted the events of my supposed first flight.

Youth

2008-11-28T07:24:00.000+08:00

This is one of my favorite excerpt in Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Poet:

Then give me back the time of growing
When I myself was growing too,
When crowding songs, a fountain flowing,
Gushed forth unceasing, ever new;
When still the mists my world were veiling,
The bud its miracle bespoke;
When I the thousand blossoms broke,
Profusely through the valleys trailing.
Naught, yet enough had I when but a youth,
Joy in illusion, yearning toward the truth.
Give impulse its unfettered dower,
The bliss so deep 'tis full of pain,
The strength of hate, Love's mighty power,
Oh, give me back my youth again!

Jake Tan

2008-11-24T19:06:00.000+08:00

A few hours from now, my youngest brother will turn 16. And before he does so, let me make a personality sketch of him for you.

Among the three of us, he is considered by everyone to be the "handsomest", though I won't contend that argument here; undeniably because at the age of fourteen he already had a girlfriend. Aside from that, my mother and brother would tell me over the phone that a group of girls would pass by from time to time in front of our house and silently argue among That would somehow give you a rough sketch of his teen life.

Last year when I returned home, I was surprised to see my mother flanked by two bodyguards beside her. My younger brothers were taller than me! Jake, being the youngest is the tallest among us. He sports a tanned skin due to his love for basketball. His lanky frame emphasizes his height so that from afar he appears to be taller than he really is.

For that brief time that I returned home, I have come to appreciate my brothers deeply. Though we never had the chance to really catch up on each other since the break was short, the stay impressed upon me the thought that I never really grew alongside my brothers.

I will probably remember Jake during his innocent years. That is to say, that if I'll be interviewed impromptu and asked to describe him, I can only tell you things that happened when we were still young.

Jake has always been the baby in the family. Ironically, among the three of us, he is the only one who was not baby-sit. I remember my mother telling us that when Jake was still young, a family friend who had a hard time conceiving offered to adopt him after seeing how cute he was.

One thing I can tell about him is that he can be very charming. And even I succumb to his whiles if he woos me. Tell me its lame to be called 'gwapo' by your younger brother when he asks for something. And yes, tell me I am lame cause I give in to it. Its not that I believe what he says altogether, but because I admire the naivety that is still in him.

I always see and admire the innocence in everyone. That is why we love babies and children, because they exhibit the uncorrupted innocence that we once had. And somehow, growing old becomes a battle of retaining those fragments of innocence and dearly holding onto them.

I was afraid of him getting old, that is why I laughed at Jake when I heard that he already had a girlfriend. Somehow I don't want him to experience the pain that comes with falling in love, because he might lose that charm. But to shield him that way would mean to imprison him in his childhood.

So now as I greet my brother a happy birthday, I greet him with a knowledge that he will surely learn a lot, and with the assurance that even as he turns 60, I will still be there for him.

amnaesia personified

2008-10-25T20:20:00.000+08:00

He was gone silently as he came in, the cool breeze from the windows giving an ominous feeling of what was going to happen. He stalled the headboard of the bed and looked at the man without pity. His eyes gave away any feeling of mercy, and without hesitation, he pored over the memories.

And just as the sun gives way to the moon during dawn so did the thief walk away with the precious memories carefully stashed away in memory lane. Nothing more could be bitter than losing the faces of your loved ones and waking up to a world of obscure anonimity. And yet, Amnaesia feels nothing. For one could only feel robbed by him when one hears his derisive laughs piercing through the sea of lost faces amidst the white background [hospital].

to everyone with a boyfriend

2008-10-22T17:08:00.000+08:00

It all began when you started to like him.

Your smile begins to whither because he likes to hear those soft whispers and genial laughs with your lips not so open. You cannot laugh anymore like when you first did, that free and gregarious chuckle; and you cannot share what he laughs about too cause you might burst into your explosive cackle once again. And he just doesn't like it cause you attract too much attention.

Then your eyes begin too dry too. Yes, they dry up because he doesn't want the added drama in his life. So you conceal that your friend is at the hospital or that last night's Maalaala Mo Kaya made you cry because he doesn't want to see you cry. And he sneers you for crying when you watch a movie together.

And just when you start to think that these are just small things, you start to dress badly. He doesn't want to see you wearing a mascarra; says its too much, and that your lips are already red, so why wear lipstick? Or that your favorite spaghetti top suddenly doesn't go well with your comfy shorts, but you argue that its what you've always worn. You concede because he tells you that you're a beauty and that guys will look at you with malice.

On your dates, you stuff yourself with something before going out. So when you eat, you eat less than you should've. Well, that's technically less than he should've seen you eat. And he tells you to do cardio or enroll in a gym. And the sadder part is that you thought it was a joke but then he means it. And you tell yourself that you love him and that there's so much more than what he does or he tells you to.

But then love should see beyond the superficial and under the skin, and you should not become less of a person that you are because you want to please him. So go on and eat all the chocolates or chicharon, wear the same clothes you like to wear and laugh like you never cared that someone would hear. After all, you deserve to be loved because of those things and not in spite of them.

Crush

2008-10-18T15:14:00.000+08:00

When we were in our elementary years, we all had crushes. She either had a long or short, black or ashen, and straight or wavy hair. But whatever hair it was that she sported, we all admired her for it. She wears it in a ponytail and she tidies herself all the time. She has a towel placed on her back by her nanny with all the talc the towel could absorb; and because of that she smells like the brand too. Yes, admit it or not she never uses cologne, just Angel's Breath or Johnson's baby powder.

Her stroller bag is pink with Tweety Bird's face at the front or yellow if it's Winnie the Pooh. She is either our seatmate or someone we really get along all the time. Probably someone our own height who stretches her arms just the way we do when our teachers tell us to fall in line before the flag ceremony is about to begin. When the teacher calls the class to quiet down or when we do something on our desk, she sticks out her Mongol number 2 pencil to our sides and we twitch. She likes to see us twitch.

Then before the flag ceremony begins, she smiles coyly and whispers something in our ears, she tells us a secret, something nobody knows. And it changes everything. We hang out with her after classes and buys meals at the canteen or takes the lunch together, just because we want to talk about her little secret. And can we ever forget that favorite spot where we eat all the time? And yeah, she has lots of secrets, some are dark and some are mean. Like when she kicked Brownie, or when she picked out fifty pesos out of her mother's purse to buy Goya or Sweet Corn or when she spills her Tang or Milo over her nanny's lap on purpose. But whatever it was she did, we didn't find her obnoxious.

And one thing, when we remember her name, we smile. Flora makes me smile. Who makes you smile?

Tatay and Poverty

2008-10-15T18:40:00.000+08:00

Tatay used to fish for a living. That was when the hard times still haven't gotten the best of us. Tatay was a hardworking man who put his three children to high school when everyone in the barrio, and I mean figuratively was never able to set foot on a high school campus. We were able to eat three meals a day by shaving a fraction of his day's catch even though it would mean that we would barely have nothing to sell.

He would go out to the sea early in the evening when the tide is just about to recede, together with our neighbors and would return just before dusk. I remember the smile on his face when the four of us, Nanay and my two younger siblings would meet him halfway to collect little shrimps that might have been trapped in the nets. He would sleep in the morning when Nanay would sell the fish at the market and while we are at school. By noon, he would go about town and sell dirty ice cream he'd gotten from a local factory. As a rule, all of us should have been around by five to help each other in the chores when Tatay would check his nets for any damage. By six, we'd had eaten our dinner.

Now, he merely sits at balcony and plays solitaire the whole day. Now don't get me wrong. My father was never the type who'd sit around the whole day doing nothing. The thing is, he just can't anymore.

The year before I was about to graduate in high school, I became a victim of hit-and-run. My father sold his other kidney to pay for the hospital bills. I would rather not tell the details explicitly, aside from the fact that the doctor who operated on him was not competent and that he'd been fooled by the supposedly handsome offer. We all thought that the money was enough to put me at least through a year in college until eventually I can apply for other scholarships. But I was never able to set foot in the university.

See, I thought poverty has gotten the best of us. But everyday Tatay still wakes up early in the morning to cook for us, iron our clothes and send my younger brothers to school with a hug. There was never a day that went by when he'd forgotten to tell us how much he loves and appreciates us. I have seen anger in his eyes at times but I have never seen pain through them. Poverty may have gotten hold of our dreams but it has not vanquished Tatay's values.

PS. Fictional
PPS. this post is featured at http://blogactionday.org

30 seconds

2008-10-14T20:52:00.000+08:00

Red.

The car stops. He eases in his seat and adjusts the rear view mirror. He glances sideways and he catches a glimpse of her, right elbow perched on the half-open window while her fingers tap to the tune of whatever-is-playing-in-her-iPod song. Probably hip-hop. She rocks her head slightly and her frame sinks altogether into the shotgun seat; her windswept black hair fluttering by her side. She looks at him and smiles. He smiles back.

"Step on it."

And he wished the moment would last.

The light turns green.

Exam Geeks

2008-10-13T16:37:00.001+08:00

The room is dotted with heads humbled by the exam questions. Everyone is silent except for a few intermittent and reflective whispers, trying their best to remember the notes they have reviewed nights before. The instructor paces to and fro across the span of the chalkboard while seeing to it that the attendance sheet is passed around smoothly.

You look at your left side and find that your seatmate hasn't finished number 5 yet. You grin. At least there is some solace in knowing that you are not alone. Your head hovers still above the rest and finds that the instructor's eyes are darting at the opposite direction. This is your chance. You look at your right side and find that your geeky classmate is almost finished, his paper dangling over his arm rest, and the solution clearly seen from your view. You take a gulp of air and brace yourself, mentally noting problem number 7.

He sees you and you pretend not to have seen his answers. But he talks.

"Ma'am!"

Your eyes reach the chalkboard again and search for the instructor, only to find her glaring at you. Your face becomes pale the instant your eyes meet, and instinctively you bow down. The instructor paces towards you, her lithe body passing every seat. You tell yourself this is inevitable and you wonder how stupid could you possibly get.

"Mr. Tan ---"

And then, just when you wish that lightning will strike you down or that rapture will happen... Your geeky seatmate farts...and he does it without finesse.

"I'm sorry, I just have to use the CR."

And the class stares at him, feigning disinterest but unable to hide the grin. Then you wonder how stupid a geek can get.

P.S. Fictional :P

1,2,3

2008-10-10T21:25:00.000+08:00

You hunch forward to lunge at the count of three.

1
2
3

You hear the whistle and then as if by reflex, you jump in. The movement practised so many times that the gaucheness of the motion now gone. Your hand splices into the cold water first, then your head, and finally the last of your toes. Your body stiffens and then contracts in lightning speed, pushing your body forward in an instant. You breathe out slowly and mentally count the motion of your arms.

1
2
3

Your right arm lunges forward, and the anterior twists altogether with your head just above the surface skimming for fresh air. The burning sensation in your chest is replaced by the coolness of the air flooding in your lungs and you feel tired doing this. But you swim again.

Writers

2008-10-09T19:54:00.000+08:00

Why is it so hard to start a new entry? I must've asked this question about a hundred times for the past month trying to figure out why I haven't had a single entry yet. Is it the lack of interest or maybe the desire to create something at par with my previous outputs that drives me so hard it eventually drains out the desire and the passion to write altogether? How hard is it for a writer to write about girl who waits at tables? Not so much if that girl has a month old baby with no father. Or about the person whom the waiter waits for, busily drinking his espresso; not if the person is anxiously waiting for the right time to mumble the exact words to succintly encapsulate what he feels for the girl he so eagerly waits for.

See, everything has an underlying story. That story must be said as plainly as possible, not too overtly simple that the readers are left with nothing to wonder about, but not too mystical either that the plot becomes a guessing game. And for the writer to be able to recreate the atmosphere, the emotions and the current undertones is a skill not everyone is gifted with.

I would want to be a writer someday. I figure that writers are the most imaginative of all. Engineers see only through a perspective, businessmen only see the trend of the stock exchange, and lawyers only see black and white. But writers... Oh yes, writers can see another world, they create them even! They can see through human minds and feelings, and they can understand the language of the ants, or any character they choose to create.

When I become a writer somedy, I would want to write about a family which is happy, complete and content. Maybe then, I can create change, even if it's only in the world I create.

Wala man sa mukha....

2008-09-13T18:23:00.000+08:00

Congratulations to our beloved Chem 31 laboratory instructor for placing second in the recent Chemistry Board Examination! To sir Thomas Ponce Reyes, your students are expecting a Yellow Cab next week! [hahaha, demanding. :P]