Monday, September 30, 2002
A VARIETY SHOW AND A SEMINAR
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #17
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
It's getting late. So I must hurry.
The end of the beginning is near.
The clutches of the Organizations will free me, I think.
On Monday it'll start extra early at 0830 HRS at the CVR. Our Sining Professor (same as my Basic Filipino professor) will show us the BUWAN NG WIKA parade and the JOU1-1 NEWSCASTING video tapes! We won 3rd place in the parade but we failed to see the 1st, 2nd place as well as the other performers. It's exciting. On the newscasting it's going to be seeing ourselves. Hahahaha.
Then it's another Kasaysayan make-up class followed by a lunchbreak then an Intro, then an off-campus trip for NSTP-CWTSP for surveying and documentation. When I return, I'll be attending an All for the Love of Thee rehearsal at the Chapel and then a mandatory VPAPU meeting at Gate 1 afterwards.
On Tuesday AM we'll be practicing for our JOU1-1 Variety Show in Literature. It'll be in the evening, 6pm with our professors invited.
On Wednesday and Thursday it'll be the eve of the FINALS. Not that the FINALS are this week, but that this week will be studying and last-minute fixing and tuning up of grades for the FINALS. And in some subjects like BASIC FILIPINO/SINING and a critical quiz in ECOLOGY and KASAYSAYAN... they'll have to be transferred to an earlier date.
Why?
On Friday to Sunday is the HF. Yes I did say that the clutches of organizations have left, but this one isn't a clutch. The HF is lifting it's hands, palm up, holding it's writers and editors for a transportation-provided trip to the LUNDUYAN 2002 Seminar at Ateneo de Manila University. I'll be attending only up until Saturday night where I'll get picked up from DLSU-D to return home next weekend.
And this week the UAAP Final and Last Game between DLSU (Animo! LASALLE!!!) and ADMU (see you on Friday!!!).
Here's to an Academically charged week.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #17
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
It's getting late. So I must hurry.
The end of the beginning is near.
The clutches of the Organizations will free me, I think.
On Monday it'll start extra early at 0830 HRS at the CVR. Our Sining Professor (same as my Basic Filipino professor) will show us the BUWAN NG WIKA parade and the JOU1-1 NEWSCASTING video tapes! We won 3rd place in the parade but we failed to see the 1st, 2nd place as well as the other performers. It's exciting. On the newscasting it's going to be seeing ourselves. Hahahaha.
Then it's another Kasaysayan make-up class followed by a lunchbreak then an Intro, then an off-campus trip for NSTP-CWTSP for surveying and documentation. When I return, I'll be attending an All for the Love of Thee rehearsal at the Chapel and then a mandatory VPAPU meeting at Gate 1 afterwards.
On Tuesday AM we'll be practicing for our JOU1-1 Variety Show in Literature. It'll be in the evening, 6pm with our professors invited.
On Wednesday and Thursday it'll be the eve of the FINALS. Not that the FINALS are this week, but that this week will be studying and last-minute fixing and tuning up of grades for the FINALS. And in some subjects like BASIC FILIPINO/SINING and a critical quiz in ECOLOGY and KASAYSAYAN... they'll have to be transferred to an earlier date.
Why?
On Friday to Sunday is the HF. Yes I did say that the clutches of organizations have left, but this one isn't a clutch. The HF is lifting it's hands, palm up, holding it's writers and editors for a transportation-provided trip to the LUNDUYAN 2002 Seminar at Ateneo de Manila University. I'll be attending only up until Saturday night where I'll get picked up from DLSU-D to return home next weekend.
And this week the UAAP Final and Last Game between DLSU (Animo! LASALLE!!!) and ADMU (see you on Friday!!!).
Here's to an Academically charged week.
Sunday, September 29, 2002
RAGE OF THE RECITAL
The Damage Report - Week #16
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
All the haggardness and tiring events would finally be slammed to an end. Pre-Recital. Recital. and Post-Recital. The past week explained at ease. The past week itself like a Big Circus in the Big Easy.
PRE-RECITAL
Gputz Offline Journal
- Monday, September 23 - "Under the Director's Spell"
- Tuesday, September 24 - "Teatro shouts Putakarin!"
The rains threatened the Recital rehearsals and the Recital itself on Wednesday. On Monday the rains poured so hard that our Survey mission was cancelled for the 2nd week to Barangay Bautista. Monday night was spent setting up the PAG Rehearsal at the Admin building.
The responsibilities of a Technical Manager. How did it feel? It felt like a single mistake would make the show collapse. Without someone to turn on the lights, manage the cassette tapes, then the flow of the entire performance would deteriorate.
I returned to the dorm Monday night to catch the last ten minutes of the 54th Emmy Awards. Suprisingly Charmed still showed and afterwards I drifted away and fell asleep.
On Tuesday it was a normal set of classes. The highlight of the day was JOU1-1's Aerobics Practice. The block only began it's practice the day before the actual competition at PLS Gym. While other competing blocks around the school have probably been practicing for weeks now. Why? JOU1-1 was busy with the Kasaysayan "I will Return!" and Japanese Occupation performance the week before. JOU1-1 is hosting a Variety Show next week and an Awards night for AB COM seniors at the twilight of the First Semester.
During our Sining we practiced and after a disasterous Long Quiz in Algebra in the afternoon I was with my two other classmates in [Heraldo Filipino]. There we found out our articles were published in the latest issue of LaSalleño. On that same evening the JOU1-1 class attended two Minor Prods of the Teatro LaSalliana.
And after that play it was a full rehearsal for the PAG Recital entitled "PAG Treat". From Brass Band down to VPAPU, all the new probees gave it all for the practice.
RECITAL
Gputz Offline Journal
- Wednesday, September 25 - "The Weight of the Stage"
The entire morning was sacrificed to the JOU1-1 practice for the Aerobics Competition. The girls and and guys ordered jogging pants also arrived and everyone was nearly set.
The collision of the JOU1-1 participation in the Aerobics Competition and the PAG Recital haunted me during mid-day. We were off at PLS and JOU1-1 would be the first to perform. After practicing at PLS and setting up, we pulled off our performance. Flaws, mistakes, and in my opinion an overused and overplayed aerobics song contributed to our failure. It was JOU1-1's first taste of losing, not to boast, but of the truth.
Classmates finally knew how it felt to lose. The competition was tough. They had dance grooves, hip hop even, hot red uniforms, and attitude. Our section was weary with so many things in our heads. From members of my class in the PAG recital that same day to the classroom officers managing on so many JOU1-1 events at the end of the First Semester.
Moments later I found myself coordinating with these older people in backstage production. These people are members of BEAT BOX, which is VPAPU's off-campus equivalent of a production unit. They took charge of installing the lights and sound systems while I informed them of the needs of the backlighting of the Brass Band, the requested amplifiers of the Pop Band, the Lapells of the Teatro, the stand-up microphones of the Chorale, the stage lighting of the Pointes, and the unorganized tapes of the Filipiniana.
One dry run took place and my problem was the Air Gap inbetween the Filipiniana tapes and 100% coordination with the Beat Box peeps at the Sounds and Lights booth. I was wearing all black and had my glasses on to insure I could clearly see every part of the stage and faces of talents backstage.
Another thing that drew my energy was the crazed Lapells, how the hell to get one Lapell to another when that other is on the other side of the stage.
But it wasn't just me as I had worried. I was assited by the President of VPAPU, Ate Mimi, who took charge of the lights. Kuya Gotch, the assigned VPAPU officer to the Technical Manager was on stand-by for any assistance. I had the Sequence Breakdown and the performance was all set. The only thing bothering me was my panic. Even the Beat Box people with the loud music playing could hear my heart thumping in pure nervousness.
I said to myself that THREE STRIKES would be the indicator if this performance would have done good. If I made any critical and huge mistake, it would be ONE STRIKE. THREE Strikes will knock me into oblivion if not at the doorstep of AMATEUR FAILURE.
I reached TWO STRIKES.
The first was the major one. After coordinating with the University's Information Technology Center (ITC) through the phone and through confirmation visits to their offices at MAH, we finally got a computer and projector to arrive at Lake Park... the venue of the PAG Recital.
When it arrived I was relieved. Until the point when the PAG Adviser, Ms. Parohinog, approached me and asked me for my diskette for the PAG Powerpoint Presentation. As Technical Manager, I had to make the Multimedia presentation.
What the fuck?!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a fucking misunderstanding which landed me getting yelled at by Ms. Parohinog, it ruined the next hour for her as she was troubled by the lack of a multimedia presentation for the audience. I was washed up with Guilt and the heaviest kind since back in High School. However, my "walk on light" technique combined with this new word called "professionalism" cured me instantly. Meaning, my mistake was an error to my practice of Professionalism. It wasn't a mistake aimed at me personally.
Fellow VPAPU probee Gerald who was in charge of putting the chairs down for the audience on the grass also helped out by patting me on the back and saying "that's how life in a Production unit is like.". I nodded and resumed coordianting with Beat Box.
The performance went by smoothly I believe. The audiences did enjoy and I didn't encounter any "STRIKE" during the Recital itself. The performers where happy, Kuya Paul (the director of this Recital and president of Teatro) didn't look angry, and the audience seemed pleased.
The performance brought life to Lake Park in the evening.
The performance ended with an encore and all 7 PAG Organizations' probees had the spotlight. Ms. Parohinog announced the positions of VPAPU like Kring for Stage Manager, Peewee for House Manager, and George for Technical Manager.
As the audiences left around 7:30PM, the talents stayed to eat a provided Dinner with bags of juice. A Company Call also occured wherein Kuya Paul announced that the performance was okay and that there wearn't any big mistakes. After the other Six Organizations (Brass Band, Pop Band, Teatro, Chorale, Filipiniana, and Pointes) packed up and left, VPAPU took charge of removing the hardwork of the Backdrop and cleaning up of everything else. Then VPAPU had it's own meeting to discuss a few words about everything.
It was a touching moment for me for I felt so stiffened by the Recital the past two to three weeks. A group hug took place and moments later after carrying a heavy bench to a cafe outside Gate 1 I re-entered campus to meet up with Candy who had Joy on the Phone. Candy and Joy? Close friends from high school, both members of the G7. (group of 7).
Wheeeew....
POST-RECITAL
Gputz Offline Journal
- Thursday, September 26 - "The Shuttle back to JOU1-1"
- Friday, September 27 - "Something about Anxiety"
- Saturday, September 28 - "Nikki and Solo Shopping"
...ahhhhhhhh!
I woke up to my cellphone receiving txt. First error, it was 7:39AM and I was absent from LITERATURE which had a 60-item quiz in it! My "+20" from the trip to UP DILIMAN last Saturday was instantly dissolved. Second error.
Second error. Second error. The fucking equivalent of STRIKE TWO!!
The txt msg. read "george, kailangan yun mga lapells sa teatro sa alumni ngayon. bring them here.".
The Lapelles?! As TM the night before I was in-charge of maintaining and keeping the Lapelles. I left them at Lake Park?!!
I took a shower and went outside before 9AM to search for the Lapelles and txt all trusted VPAPU probees an alert about the missing Lapelles. I couldn't find it. I couldn't breathe. I rushed to the Admin building to the CAO (office of the VPAPU), which was closed. I entered the always discreet HF office to find classmate Maycee Mercado there.
She told me about the quiz being 60 items and after telling her about my troubles of the three missing Lapelles she answered me that one Lapelle costs as much as 15,000 pesos! Times three... times three... times three... 45 THOUSAND PESOS!!
I was now hysterically insane inside the quiet HF office. I started to do fucking calculations in my head... shit, that's twice my tuition fee for one year at college! Shit... that could already fix half the house in Tanza! Shit... this, shit that...
Until my cellphone started to play my txttone. I read it and a probee told me that the Lapelles where not left at Lake Park the night before but instead taken to the Stock Room at the Admin (the stock room neighbors the HF Office) and that this morning the Teatro retrieved it. "All is happy and available."
It was a relaxing day after that moment of relief. Like that moment after...
I found myself comfortable in Religious Education and layed back watching classmates doing their Talumpati Exam in the front facing the class in Sining ng Kommunikasyon. During lunch break I was with Kuya Rheyan at good ol' Brejanah Cafe and after eating we did our Algebra assignment.
In Algebra it was a short quiz and then a lecture. And afterwards it was a relaxed evening in the dormitory where suddenly Dormmate Joseph spontaneously decided that we eat at McDonalds down at Waltermart by taking the DLSU-D Shuttle bus.
I decided to treat myself to a surprise and got inside the shuttle bus and make a secured pocket trip to Waltermart where we ate McDo. After that we went straight back to LaSalle perfectly in time and I made my way back into my room to work on some Friday assignments.
On Friday it was all concentration on the General Psychology presentation. I was drawing nervous but I did make the proper preparations. My creative ideas was so broad for our presentation that I was getting nervous about my recitation. At the end... with my added Screensaver for the projector, with Eric and Danielle's excellent reporting skills, with Keith's comforting music added to my suggestion of smooth background music, and of course Kats' brief explanations... we got ourselves not a single complaint from our Professor who usually complains "get to the point!" ... "skip ahead" ... "give another example!". Wheeew. Our presentation was about Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Abnormalities.
That made my day. In PE later we held our last class with our professor. We told her that we finally felt failure and that didn't damage anything. She gave everyone who participated in the Aerobics Competition a PERFECT 4 for their finals if not their PE 1st Semester grade.
The rest of the day was also relaxed. We did have a meeting with President Tina who kindly explained our JOU1-1 schedule of events for the last two weeks of the first semester.
Kuya Rheyan and I proceeded to ERS to go surfing. After surfing at ERS I encountered five girls who passed by me and decided to just go ahead and meet me. One of them is from PAG, Pointes to be exact.
I returned to my dorm room to watch Survivor V's 2nd episode. Then I fell asleep.
On Saturday I encountered two batchmates from high school. Veejay who was at ERH at the same time I was attending my Basic Filipino class. Her ComSci block was having a Shakesphere Play just next door. After that and after eating at La Buena Comida with the Kuwait-peeps, I was packing up to find out that Nikki (G7) is coming to DLSU-D.
After some confusion on who's meeting who and due to lack of time, Nikki came over to the Men's Dorm herself with Lance and Lance left for home already. As I packed up I handed Nikki my Albums and she enjoyed looking back upon our 4th Year HS.
She remembered Bryan.
(play the sad theme at the end of Buffy's 5th Season where Buffy sacrifices herself)
As Lance moved on with his instant-noodle Girlfriend, Nikki took time to reflect. I made my own observations telling Nikki that I had a part of her in me, and that I also had a part of Bryan in me. The Nikki part inside me watches over Lance as his roommate. The Bryan part of me watches over Nikki.
I was picked up and by myself I went to Robinsons to get a list of things. My groceries (first time I did groceries by myself, i just noticed). Special Camera Battery. Two Video Tapes. Food from Wendy's for my brother. Food from Burger King for myself. I had plastic bags on both hands.
I arrived home. A busy busy week had ended.
The Damage Report - Week #16
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
All the haggardness and tiring events would finally be slammed to an end. Pre-Recital. Recital. and Post-Recital. The past week explained at ease. The past week itself like a Big Circus in the Big Easy.
PRE-RECITAL
Gputz Offline Journal
- Monday, September 23 - "Under the Director's Spell"
- Tuesday, September 24 - "Teatro shouts Putakarin!"
The rains threatened the Recital rehearsals and the Recital itself on Wednesday. On Monday the rains poured so hard that our Survey mission was cancelled for the 2nd week to Barangay Bautista. Monday night was spent setting up the PAG Rehearsal at the Admin building.
The responsibilities of a Technical Manager. How did it feel? It felt like a single mistake would make the show collapse. Without someone to turn on the lights, manage the cassette tapes, then the flow of the entire performance would deteriorate.
I returned to the dorm Monday night to catch the last ten minutes of the 54th Emmy Awards. Suprisingly Charmed still showed and afterwards I drifted away and fell asleep.
On Tuesday it was a normal set of classes. The highlight of the day was JOU1-1's Aerobics Practice. The block only began it's practice the day before the actual competition at PLS Gym. While other competing blocks around the school have probably been practicing for weeks now. Why? JOU1-1 was busy with the Kasaysayan "I will Return!" and Japanese Occupation performance the week before. JOU1-1 is hosting a Variety Show next week and an Awards night for AB COM seniors at the twilight of the First Semester.
During our Sining we practiced and after a disasterous Long Quiz in Algebra in the afternoon I was with my two other classmates in [Heraldo Filipino]. There we found out our articles were published in the latest issue of LaSalleño. On that same evening the JOU1-1 class attended two Minor Prods of the Teatro LaSalliana.
And after that play it was a full rehearsal for the PAG Recital entitled "PAG Treat". From Brass Band down to VPAPU, all the new probees gave it all for the practice.
RECITAL
Gputz Offline Journal
- Wednesday, September 25 - "The Weight of the Stage"
The entire morning was sacrificed to the JOU1-1 practice for the Aerobics Competition. The girls and and guys ordered jogging pants also arrived and everyone was nearly set.
The collision of the JOU1-1 participation in the Aerobics Competition and the PAG Recital haunted me during mid-day. We were off at PLS and JOU1-1 would be the first to perform. After practicing at PLS and setting up, we pulled off our performance. Flaws, mistakes, and in my opinion an overused and overplayed aerobics song contributed to our failure. It was JOU1-1's first taste of losing, not to boast, but of the truth.
Classmates finally knew how it felt to lose. The competition was tough. They had dance grooves, hip hop even, hot red uniforms, and attitude. Our section was weary with so many things in our heads. From members of my class in the PAG recital that same day to the classroom officers managing on so many JOU1-1 events at the end of the First Semester.
Moments later I found myself coordinating with these older people in backstage production. These people are members of BEAT BOX, which is VPAPU's off-campus equivalent of a production unit. They took charge of installing the lights and sound systems while I informed them of the needs of the backlighting of the Brass Band, the requested amplifiers of the Pop Band, the Lapells of the Teatro, the stand-up microphones of the Chorale, the stage lighting of the Pointes, and the unorganized tapes of the Filipiniana.
One dry run took place and my problem was the Air Gap inbetween the Filipiniana tapes and 100% coordination with the Beat Box peeps at the Sounds and Lights booth. I was wearing all black and had my glasses on to insure I could clearly see every part of the stage and faces of talents backstage.
Another thing that drew my energy was the crazed Lapells, how the hell to get one Lapell to another when that other is on the other side of the stage.
But it wasn't just me as I had worried. I was assited by the President of VPAPU, Ate Mimi, who took charge of the lights. Kuya Gotch, the assigned VPAPU officer to the Technical Manager was on stand-by for any assistance. I had the Sequence Breakdown and the performance was all set. The only thing bothering me was my panic. Even the Beat Box people with the loud music playing could hear my heart thumping in pure nervousness.
I said to myself that THREE STRIKES would be the indicator if this performance would have done good. If I made any critical and huge mistake, it would be ONE STRIKE. THREE Strikes will knock me into oblivion if not at the doorstep of AMATEUR FAILURE.
I reached TWO STRIKES.
The first was the major one. After coordinating with the University's Information Technology Center (ITC) through the phone and through confirmation visits to their offices at MAH, we finally got a computer and projector to arrive at Lake Park... the venue of the PAG Recital.
When it arrived I was relieved. Until the point when the PAG Adviser, Ms. Parohinog, approached me and asked me for my diskette for the PAG Powerpoint Presentation. As Technical Manager, I had to make the Multimedia presentation.
What the fuck?!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a fucking misunderstanding which landed me getting yelled at by Ms. Parohinog, it ruined the next hour for her as she was troubled by the lack of a multimedia presentation for the audience. I was washed up with Guilt and the heaviest kind since back in High School. However, my "walk on light" technique combined with this new word called "professionalism" cured me instantly. Meaning, my mistake was an error to my practice of Professionalism. It wasn't a mistake aimed at me personally.
Fellow VPAPU probee Gerald who was in charge of putting the chairs down for the audience on the grass also helped out by patting me on the back and saying "that's how life in a Production unit is like.". I nodded and resumed coordianting with Beat Box.
The performance went by smoothly I believe. The audiences did enjoy and I didn't encounter any "STRIKE" during the Recital itself. The performers where happy, Kuya Paul (the director of this Recital and president of Teatro) didn't look angry, and the audience seemed pleased.
The performance brought life to Lake Park in the evening.
The performance ended with an encore and all 7 PAG Organizations' probees had the spotlight. Ms. Parohinog announced the positions of VPAPU like Kring for Stage Manager, Peewee for House Manager, and George for Technical Manager.
As the audiences left around 7:30PM, the talents stayed to eat a provided Dinner with bags of juice. A Company Call also occured wherein Kuya Paul announced that the performance was okay and that there wearn't any big mistakes. After the other Six Organizations (Brass Band, Pop Band, Teatro, Chorale, Filipiniana, and Pointes) packed up and left, VPAPU took charge of removing the hardwork of the Backdrop and cleaning up of everything else. Then VPAPU had it's own meeting to discuss a few words about everything.
It was a touching moment for me for I felt so stiffened by the Recital the past two to three weeks. A group hug took place and moments later after carrying a heavy bench to a cafe outside Gate 1 I re-entered campus to meet up with Candy who had Joy on the Phone. Candy and Joy? Close friends from high school, both members of the G7. (group of 7).
Wheeeew....
POST-RECITAL
Gputz Offline Journal
- Thursday, September 26 - "The Shuttle back to JOU1-1"
- Friday, September 27 - "Something about Anxiety"
- Saturday, September 28 - "Nikki and Solo Shopping"
...ahhhhhhhh!
I woke up to my cellphone receiving txt. First error, it was 7:39AM and I was absent from LITERATURE which had a 60-item quiz in it! My "+20" from the trip to UP DILIMAN last Saturday was instantly dissolved. Second error.
Second error. Second error. The fucking equivalent of STRIKE TWO!!
The txt msg. read "george, kailangan yun mga lapells sa teatro sa alumni ngayon. bring them here.".
The Lapelles?! As TM the night before I was in-charge of maintaining and keeping the Lapelles. I left them at Lake Park?!!
I took a shower and went outside before 9AM to search for the Lapelles and txt all trusted VPAPU probees an alert about the missing Lapelles. I couldn't find it. I couldn't breathe. I rushed to the Admin building to the CAO (office of the VPAPU), which was closed. I entered the always discreet HF office to find classmate Maycee Mercado there.
She told me about the quiz being 60 items and after telling her about my troubles of the three missing Lapelles she answered me that one Lapelle costs as much as 15,000 pesos! Times three... times three... times three... 45 THOUSAND PESOS!!
I was now hysterically insane inside the quiet HF office. I started to do fucking calculations in my head... shit, that's twice my tuition fee for one year at college! Shit... that could already fix half the house in Tanza! Shit... this, shit that...
Until my cellphone started to play my txttone. I read it and a probee told me that the Lapelles where not left at Lake Park the night before but instead taken to the Stock Room at the Admin (the stock room neighbors the HF Office) and that this morning the Teatro retrieved it. "All is happy and available."
It was a relaxing day after that moment of relief. Like that moment after...
I found myself comfortable in Religious Education and layed back watching classmates doing their Talumpati Exam in the front facing the class in Sining ng Kommunikasyon. During lunch break I was with Kuya Rheyan at good ol' Brejanah Cafe and after eating we did our Algebra assignment.
In Algebra it was a short quiz and then a lecture. And afterwards it was a relaxed evening in the dormitory where suddenly Dormmate Joseph spontaneously decided that we eat at McDonalds down at Waltermart by taking the DLSU-D Shuttle bus.
I decided to treat myself to a surprise and got inside the shuttle bus and make a secured pocket trip to Waltermart where we ate McDo. After that we went straight back to LaSalle perfectly in time and I made my way back into my room to work on some Friday assignments.
On Friday it was all concentration on the General Psychology presentation. I was drawing nervous but I did make the proper preparations. My creative ideas was so broad for our presentation that I was getting nervous about my recitation. At the end... with my added Screensaver for the projector, with Eric and Danielle's excellent reporting skills, with Keith's comforting music added to my suggestion of smooth background music, and of course Kats' brief explanations... we got ourselves not a single complaint from our Professor who usually complains "get to the point!" ... "skip ahead" ... "give another example!". Wheeew. Our presentation was about Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Abnormalities.
That made my day. In PE later we held our last class with our professor. We told her that we finally felt failure and that didn't damage anything. She gave everyone who participated in the Aerobics Competition a PERFECT 4 for their finals if not their PE 1st Semester grade.
The rest of the day was also relaxed. We did have a meeting with President Tina who kindly explained our JOU1-1 schedule of events for the last two weeks of the first semester.
Kuya Rheyan and I proceeded to ERS to go surfing. After surfing at ERS I encountered five girls who passed by me and decided to just go ahead and meet me. One of them is from PAG, Pointes to be exact.
I returned to my dorm room to watch Survivor V's 2nd episode. Then I fell asleep.
On Saturday I encountered two batchmates from high school. Veejay who was at ERH at the same time I was attending my Basic Filipino class. Her ComSci block was having a Shakesphere Play just next door. After that and after eating at La Buena Comida with the Kuwait-peeps, I was packing up to find out that Nikki (G7) is coming to DLSU-D.
After some confusion on who's meeting who and due to lack of time, Nikki came over to the Men's Dorm herself with Lance and Lance left for home already. As I packed up I handed Nikki my Albums and she enjoyed looking back upon our 4th Year HS.
She remembered Bryan.
(play the sad theme at the end of Buffy's 5th Season where Buffy sacrifices herself)
As Lance moved on with his instant-noodle Girlfriend, Nikki took time to reflect. I made my own observations telling Nikki that I had a part of her in me, and that I also had a part of Bryan in me. The Nikki part inside me watches over Lance as his roommate. The Bryan part of me watches over Nikki.
I was picked up and by myself I went to Robinsons to get a list of things. My groceries (first time I did groceries by myself, i just noticed). Special Camera Battery. Two Video Tapes. Food from Wendy's for my brother. Food from Burger King for myself. I had plastic bags on both hands.
I arrived home. A busy busy week had ended.
Friday, September 27, 2002
The Silence vs. Sweet Prejudice (The Reaction)
my first feature article published in de la salle university - dasmarinas
With all the JOU1-1 and VPAPU Organization events of recently, I have failed to return corrections to two Articles I submitted to the [Heraldo Filipino] for it's latest [La Salleno] issue. I knew I had no article published in the [La Salleno] and definantly in it's [Broadsheet].
So on a late Tuesday afternoon I'm walking on the JFH grounds to receive a txt message from my high school batchmate Chope. He txt's me "nakita ko ang THE SILENCE vs SWEET PREJUDICE... hanep ah".
And at that time I was with the other two classmates of mine in the HF, Eric Salta and Maycee Mercado. I turned into this giant exclamation point added with the intense shock with the energy like that of the 47-year-old woman in that one commercial... "WHAAAA-AAAT!". I told Maycee and Eric... "The LaSalleno is out!!!".
The three of us ran to the JFH-HF stand. No papers inside of it. Then as we crossed the Kubos of JFH towards MAH we noted the few students remaining on-campus to having issues of LaSalleno in their hands. We rushed to MAH and on the first floor and on the HF-newspaper stand lay the last three copies... perfect for Maycee, Eric, and myself.
We grabbed it and opened it. Maycee's article "A Tree Called Caste" was there. Then next on a black page was one of two articles Eric had... "Filipinos Under Fire". On the flipside of Eric's "Filipinos Under Fire" was my very first published article which shocks me up to this day at how it got there... "The Silence vs. Sweet Prejudice". Later on in the new issue was Eric's 2nd Article in the [LaSalleno] entitled "Sex and the Philippines". It is so damn good!! Controversial... interesting... and something the campus could think and re-think about!
I was again an exclamation point at how they published my article without my added interviews and corrections. They published a one-time-edited article I made. Another exclamation point goes to the title of it. The title has nothing to do with that article!! I submitted two Feature Articles. One about the Diversity of DLSU-D and another about Prejudice and how a little Prejudice at DLSU-D led to the suicidal downfall of a dorm mate last August.
The one that got published is the "Diversity" article. The title that got selected was from the Prejudice one. Yes, I know the two articles are similar but "The Silence vs. Sweet Prejudice" and the Diversity article doesn't work out. "What silence?".
Nevertheless I am so thankful it got published. It encouraged me it was truely possible to get published with a bit of work and belief in the work. Seeing an article that I didn't expect to get published pushed me to make more articles and to further concentrate on the HF next Semester. Plus it gives me a conclusion in the HF that I'm not doing as bad as I thought I was doing the past few weeks.
The feature was pretty short. In the release of the corrections, they told me to throw in more stuff like interviews of both sides. But I drew out of it and didn't include them and didn't submit the corrections. So the result was it was published even if it was a bit short. However, it balanced with two nice pictures of foreign students.
The BroadJourn Website will be out in a few weeks, it'll feature the works of all my classmates each Season/Semester. I'll provide my scanned article and the article itself here when I return home to Tanza this Saturday.
my first feature article published in de la salle university - dasmarinas
With all the JOU1-1 and VPAPU Organization events of recently, I have failed to return corrections to two Articles I submitted to the [Heraldo Filipino] for it's latest [La Salleno] issue. I knew I had no article published in the [La Salleno] and definantly in it's [Broadsheet].
So on a late Tuesday afternoon I'm walking on the JFH grounds to receive a txt message from my high school batchmate Chope. He txt's me "nakita ko ang THE SILENCE vs SWEET PREJUDICE... hanep ah".
And at that time I was with the other two classmates of mine in the HF, Eric Salta and Maycee Mercado. I turned into this giant exclamation point added with the intense shock with the energy like that of the 47-year-old woman in that one commercial... "WHAAAA-AAAT!". I told Maycee and Eric... "The LaSalleno is out!!!".
The three of us ran to the JFH-HF stand. No papers inside of it. Then as we crossed the Kubos of JFH towards MAH we noted the few students remaining on-campus to having issues of LaSalleno in their hands. We rushed to MAH and on the first floor and on the HF-newspaper stand lay the last three copies... perfect for Maycee, Eric, and myself.
We grabbed it and opened it. Maycee's article "A Tree Called Caste" was there. Then next on a black page was one of two articles Eric had... "Filipinos Under Fire". On the flipside of Eric's "Filipinos Under Fire" was my very first published article which shocks me up to this day at how it got there... "The Silence vs. Sweet Prejudice". Later on in the new issue was Eric's 2nd Article in the [LaSalleno] entitled "Sex and the Philippines". It is so damn good!! Controversial... interesting... and something the campus could think and re-think about!
I was again an exclamation point at how they published my article without my added interviews and corrections. They published a one-time-edited article I made. Another exclamation point goes to the title of it. The title has nothing to do with that article!! I submitted two Feature Articles. One about the Diversity of DLSU-D and another about Prejudice and how a little Prejudice at DLSU-D led to the suicidal downfall of a dorm mate last August.
The one that got published is the "Diversity" article. The title that got selected was from the Prejudice one. Yes, I know the two articles are similar but "The Silence vs. Sweet Prejudice" and the Diversity article doesn't work out. "What silence?".
Nevertheless I am so thankful it got published. It encouraged me it was truely possible to get published with a bit of work and belief in the work. Seeing an article that I didn't expect to get published pushed me to make more articles and to further concentrate on the HF next Semester. Plus it gives me a conclusion in the HF that I'm not doing as bad as I thought I was doing the past few weeks.
The feature was pretty short. In the release of the corrections, they told me to throw in more stuff like interviews of both sides. But I drew out of it and didn't include them and didn't submit the corrections. So the result was it was published even if it was a bit short. However, it balanced with two nice pictures of foreign students.
The BroadJourn Website will be out in a few weeks, it'll feature the works of all my classmates each Season/Semester. I'll provide my scanned article and the article itself here when I return home to Tanza this Saturday.
Monday, September 23, 2002
IN SICKNESS AND A RECITAL
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #16
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
I was scared, I was scared
Tired and no longer prepared
But I wait for it
It started with a troubling Cold Sore which interrupted my efforts at working in my Orgs last week. Then it probably worsened because of how fatigued and tired I was at the end of last week. Then last Saturday I was in and out of Air Conditioned places and it was raining and I was travelling by modes of commuting to distances I've never reached before. It comes to say that I believe I have symptoms of a slight cold.
Shit. Not now.
A slight cold? I'm facing being "forcibly" excused from my classes the first three days of this week to handle the PAG Recital Technicals and with a slight cold I am going physically, mentally, and due to absence- intellectually insane now!
Oh fuck I just hope not. I am still calm. I'm sitting here in front my PC Screen half past Midnight. My bags aren't packed yet and folded yet. My things are organized yet. I leave 7 o'clock later because of a Documentary-Watching and Food Party for my Kasaysayan class which starts at 9 o'clock. I'm tired and restless. I couldn't say goodbye to my Uncle who was here drinking the past few hours with my other Uncle and my mom conversing with them. Why? Because I was in my room watching TV. A new episode of Grosse Pointe, an interesting episode of Spin City, then a 9PM conflict with Will & Grace, Pyramids: Live on National Geographic, and Alyssa Milano REVEALED on E!.
Then it was "The West Wing" 9/11 special. I scanned new pictures and worked with a teaser page for the BROADJOURN WEBSITE. I should have blogged this morning. I wasted my whole friggin' day just sitting there half-resting and half-listening to the opening credits of Survivor V: Thailand which I am insanely addicted to. What the fuck was wrong with me today?!
I'm just tired.
I'm sorry I couldn't upload the BROADJOURN WEBSITE teaser page.
I'm sorry I couldn't work with this BLOG and place in pictures that I had just scanned.
I'm sorry I couldn't post at CHARMED-PH.
I'm sorry I couldn't chat with Kate Mamon or Bryan Fuerte in New Jersey.
I'm sorry I didn't pack my bags while we had guests outside and the atmosphere was lively.
I'm sorry I forgot to ready a new tape for timed recording of Charmed tomorrow (is there still a Charmed if there's an Emmy's show tomorrow?).
Ah.
I can't believe it worked.
Some stress in me went away by simply typing down what I didn't achieve today and apologizing for it. I can take a few deep breaths of relief.
But then when I'm reminded about not packing my belongings yet for tomorrow and not having groceries done I feel like a jar of old, muddy, and sweaty socks.
***
THIS WEEK
On Monday we'll be doing Documentation at Barangay Bautista for our NSTP surveying. I'm not sure if I'll be doing this with a dead-battery camera or be excused from NSTP for PAG Recital Technical errands. One thing's for sure, PAG will take me on Monday.
On Tuesday it's Teatro LaSalliana's Minor Prods at the same time PAG Recital Rehearals to maximum strength. Excuse letters will be released and it's Technicals, Technicals, and more Technicals.
On Wednesday, it's the big day of the Recital at the same time the day of the mandatory and required PE Aerobics Competition for JOU1-1. I'm sure there was a third event to add to this apocalyptic day already. I just forgot what it was.
Somewhere in the first three days of the week, the HERALDO FILIPINO will be releasing it's 3rd Broadsheet and it's 2nd LaSalleño this year. I had articles in these things until I pulled them out due to lack of editing and time with the HF. I have nothing published in the 2nd Round of releases the HF has ever since I became a writer for it. I think Eric has something in the Decreto, I dunno. I just know that Eric has stuff published in the HF, perhaps both the Broadsheet and the LaSalleño.
On Thursday and Friday I don't know what'll be happening. Hopefully the PAG Recital isn't postponed so all my madness ends on Wednesday night. If so, then I'm reserving Thursday and Friday for heavy-duty studying and resting. I'll make no big plans with any Organizations on those two days.
***
That concludes this edition of "Carpe Noctem". I only have five to six hours of sleep now before another episode begins in my College Life. Good night world.
LYRICS: It's from "In My Place" by Coldplay. Iono, it fits my life these past few days.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #16
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
I was scared, I was scared
Tired and no longer prepared
But I wait for it
It started with a troubling Cold Sore which interrupted my efforts at working in my Orgs last week. Then it probably worsened because of how fatigued and tired I was at the end of last week. Then last Saturday I was in and out of Air Conditioned places and it was raining and I was travelling by modes of commuting to distances I've never reached before. It comes to say that I believe I have symptoms of a slight cold.
Shit. Not now.
A slight cold? I'm facing being "forcibly" excused from my classes the first three days of this week to handle the PAG Recital Technicals and with a slight cold I am going physically, mentally, and due to absence- intellectually insane now!
Oh fuck I just hope not. I am still calm. I'm sitting here in front my PC Screen half past Midnight. My bags aren't packed yet and folded yet. My things are organized yet. I leave 7 o'clock later because of a Documentary-Watching and Food Party for my Kasaysayan class which starts at 9 o'clock. I'm tired and restless. I couldn't say goodbye to my Uncle who was here drinking the past few hours with my other Uncle and my mom conversing with them. Why? Because I was in my room watching TV. A new episode of Grosse Pointe, an interesting episode of Spin City, then a 9PM conflict with Will & Grace, Pyramids: Live on National Geographic, and Alyssa Milano REVEALED on E!.
Then it was "The West Wing" 9/11 special. I scanned new pictures and worked with a teaser page for the BROADJOURN WEBSITE. I should have blogged this morning. I wasted my whole friggin' day just sitting there half-resting and half-listening to the opening credits of Survivor V: Thailand which I am insanely addicted to. What the fuck was wrong with me today?!
I'm just tired.
I'm sorry I couldn't upload the BROADJOURN WEBSITE teaser page.
I'm sorry I couldn't work with this BLOG and place in pictures that I had just scanned.
I'm sorry I couldn't post at CHARMED-PH.
I'm sorry I couldn't chat with Kate Mamon or Bryan Fuerte in New Jersey.
I'm sorry I didn't pack my bags while we had guests outside and the atmosphere was lively.
I'm sorry I forgot to ready a new tape for timed recording of Charmed tomorrow (is there still a Charmed if there's an Emmy's show tomorrow?).
Ah.
I can't believe it worked.
Some stress in me went away by simply typing down what I didn't achieve today and apologizing for it. I can take a few deep breaths of relief.
But then when I'm reminded about not packing my belongings yet for tomorrow and not having groceries done I feel like a jar of old, muddy, and sweaty socks.
***
THIS WEEK
On Monday we'll be doing Documentation at Barangay Bautista for our NSTP surveying. I'm not sure if I'll be doing this with a dead-battery camera or be excused from NSTP for PAG Recital Technical errands. One thing's for sure, PAG will take me on Monday.
On Tuesday it's Teatro LaSalliana's Minor Prods at the same time PAG Recital Rehearals to maximum strength. Excuse letters will be released and it's Technicals, Technicals, and more Technicals.
On Wednesday, it's the big day of the Recital at the same time the day of the mandatory and required PE Aerobics Competition for JOU1-1. I'm sure there was a third event to add to this apocalyptic day already. I just forgot what it was.
Somewhere in the first three days of the week, the HERALDO FILIPINO will be releasing it's 3rd Broadsheet and it's 2nd LaSalleño this year. I had articles in these things until I pulled them out due to lack of editing and time with the HF. I have nothing published in the 2nd Round of releases the HF has ever since I became a writer for it. I think Eric has something in the Decreto, I dunno. I just know that Eric has stuff published in the HF, perhaps both the Broadsheet and the LaSalleño.
On Thursday and Friday I don't know what'll be happening. Hopefully the PAG Recital isn't postponed so all my madness ends on Wednesday night. If so, then I'm reserving Thursday and Friday for heavy-duty studying and resting. I'll make no big plans with any Organizations on those two days.
***
That concludes this edition of "Carpe Noctem". I only have five to six hours of sleep now before another episode begins in my College Life. Good night world.
LYRICS: It's from "In My Place" by Coldplay. Iono, it fits my life these past few days.
WHAT A JOURNEY IT HAS BEEN
A special entry about Saturday, September 21st 2002
COMING SOON: I truely wanted to beef this entry up. Saturday, September 21st was a great day of events. I went to UP-Diliman with JOU1-1 classmates to catch the play "The Public/El Publico/Ang Madla", which brought me to the MRT for the first time in my life. We went to Glorietta to where I saw the wife of a former dictator and a beautiful VJ on MYX. It was an interesting day and I'll enumerate about it with a picture when I have time. Until then, this entry slot is reserved for that. üüü
A special entry about Saturday, September 21st 2002
COMING SOON: I truely wanted to beef this entry up. Saturday, September 21st was a great day of events. I went to UP-Diliman with JOU1-1 classmates to catch the play "The Public/El Publico/Ang Madla", which brought me to the MRT for the first time in my life. We went to Glorietta to where I saw the wife of a former dictator and a beautiful VJ on MYX. It was an interesting day and I'll enumerate about it with a picture when I have time. Until then, this entry slot is reserved for that. üüü
Friday, September 20, 2002
I HAVE RETURNED
The Damage Report - Week #15
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
UPDATES: this post has pictures taken of some events. however, these pictures have not been developed and/or scanned yet. so please return to this entry in the next few weeks for a picture update.
Throughout the previous week I have been bothered by a Cold Sore. This Cold Sore conflicted with my responsibilities to VPAPU. The week was loaded with Rehearsals and at somepoint during the week I reached the breaking point and wished to officially LEAVE one of my Organizations- the VPAPU.
MONDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "Org Stress and Sneezing")
Last Monday we had a make-up class for "Kasaysayan" for missing it during our Recollection. I moved back into the campus at 8:30AM to fixed up my room and ended up in the classroom just a few minutes before the discussion was finished. JOU1-1 and our Professor Ms. Montenegro were discussing that the JOU1-1 performance for the "Linggo ng Kasaysayan" would be on Thursday so intensive planning was taking place.
Later in the afternoon we had a short skit to do in Intro for Ms. Valera. Then in NSTP-CWTSP we didn't go off-campus on a survey mission but instead had a discussion and a "reality check" with the Coordinators about visiting these families down the road.
On Monday Evening my Cold Sore got the best of me and constantly drove me insane with that feeling like I'm about to sneeze. This disrupted my helping hand for VPAPU which was having yet another meeting with the Production "All For The Love of Thee". I was asked to run some errands and it added frustration with the Cold Sore. I asked the President of the Org that I be excused because I was feeling overworked and fatigued. She kindly dismissed me and handed me a boxed Dinner that the "All For the Love of Thee" talents and production staff can have during the meetings.
I headed to my dorm room to catch the Buffy Season 5 Finale and then on Charmed a confusing rerun after they had announced it would be a new episode.
TUESDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "Mula sa Bulwagang Pambalitaan")
Regular classes proceeded on Tuesday. It was my turn for the newscasting for our "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" class. Athena and Kats did extremely good. I felt that "BroadJourn Shiver" once again. Ate Angge also did very well. On mine, since I don't really speak Tagalog and when I started to report in Tagalog... my ending resulted in this loud cheer by my classmates which in turn ended up in a short 2 minute sermon from Mr. Garcia. My professor asked me if I was aware I had a good voice and his comment was that I needed to work on my Pronouncination. He also handed my Midterm grade. The result? It's my 2nd highest grade out of all the other subjects during the Midterms.
Rehearsals went full blast again in the evening. Luckily the [Heraldo Filipino] handed me enough space to work with PAG this week. However, in the evening I was getting extremely tired and dizzy especially after a disastrous College Albera Long Quiz. I didn't attend the meeting with VPAPU.
WEDNESDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "The Many Faces of PAG")
The good old half day no more. Maximum Rehearsals took place for my block performance in the "Linggo ng Kasaysayan".
In the afternoon it was a swordfight between the JOU1-1 Rehearsals and the PAG Rehearsals. Where I was needed and what I needed were conflicting with each other.
I returned to VPAPU to conduct several errands and meetings. My position as TM for the PAG Recital was pushing me to the limit even more. On Wednesday night it was decided that I was leaving VPAPU and some orgmates know about it, especially two from [Heraldo Filipino] who saw how haggard I looked.
Walking up the stairs was tiresome at the Admin building.
Being assigned another task made me lose some breath.
Confusion on getting what light on what switch.
At the same time seeing the faces of some of my classmates who are members of PAG but in different organizations within it. Jeremy of Pointes and Flexes Dance Troupe showing his moves to the limit. Leah and Jonee of Chorale doing the singing gig. Jhen, Arjay, William, and Athena running around doing Teatro LaSalliana errands.
Leaving would mean my backstage pass to the performing events of the school will be reduced if not fully cut. Leaving would mean I would have a lot of extra time to work out at the Gym. Leaving would exclude me from the fun events of PAG. Leaving would give me time to concentrate on extra effort on my grades. Leaving would put my College Life back to plain writing and reserved living.
Leaving is good and sometimes Leaving is bad. I can't decide on staying as a face in the PAG.
THURSDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "I Have Returned!")
The big day itself for the JOU1-1 performance. Parallel to how busy and crammed the class was with working with a performance like the "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" last August where we did win 3rd Place. Literature and ReEd refused to surrender practice time which led to only 2 to 3 hours to rehearse before the event.
I wore a Fatigue for the first time and I was to play General MacArthur. Hence the title of that day's entry in my offline journal and the title of this week's "The Damage Report". "I Have Returned!"... my only lines. I was sporting a pair of shades from Keith, the cool Hat and Belt of Jessica, and the Fatigue was courtesy Apple and Ayesya.
The Tape Recording was lost at PLS during our "PE Make up class" on Wednesday afternoon. Thus it left us with unedited tapes labeled with numbers. A flaw in our performance later on.
We wearn't ready for a Parade but still a Parade took place. Some classmates of mine forced me to go to the front of our class and hold up the sign "JOU1-1" which I later preserved in my room on my desk. I was side by side with Jessica Fenal, Athena, Kuya Rheyan, and Kate Mamon who were "American Soldiers" with MacArthur.
The parade finished at the Museo Grounds / DLSU-D Plaza. We were assigned 2nd to the last to perform. It would give us about another hour and 30 minutes to practice. And that's what we did. We did two or three runs of our performance to the side of the Museo that is not seen by the rest of the campus.
Unlike our first big-time performance about the Burnhams last August, we were performing in a performance and not in a competition. This non-competition performance included two of our neighboring sections... COM1-1 and COM1-3. COM1-2 on the other hand surrendered some of their guys to help JOU1-1.
We executed our performance and the lack of a continued and straight tape decreased the quality of our performance. But it was still executed pretty well with the talents of my class. The "40s Boogie" at the start was unique and got the audiences around in a good mood. Compared to other performances of the day which had drama and suspence all the time, our 40s Boogie was a good way to start. Kudos to our Professor.
I crawled on the ground, got pulled to the side by Athena and Kate Mamon. I yelled the "I HAVE RETURNED!" as loud as my quiet bedroom voice could go and it was done.
Other people performing included my dorm friend Joel. His PolSci (POSCI1-2) classmates performed a traditional Muslim dance thing that could have required more practice.
It was a very tiring day which included my Camera running out of battery which destroyed the few pictures I had of the event. Sadly, this performance wasn't covered entirely. It bothers me up to this day.
The rifles we rented which was also a symbol of the day became drama with us losing three of them. Three lost rifles equalled to 1,300 pesos in fine. Kuya Rheyan found the three rifles later on because some female dormers in my class accidentally forgot to inform us that they took it with them to the dorm. It was just a lack of communication and no problem. No 1,300 pesos but instead a bonus in our treats next Monday for our make-up class in "Kasaysayan".
And if that was tiring, it wasn't over yet. The evening was running more errands for VPAPU and activating the lights at the Lake Park. This invovled sweeping mud and water and other filth from the ugly Lake Park stage with orgmate Kring who is the Stage Manager.
The evening was continued practices of the PAG Orgs. The Filipiniana Dance Company (FDC) had their bamboo sticks and clear glasses. The Pointes and Flexes Dance Troupe continued to dance to the beats of the DLSU-D Pop Band. The DLSU-D Brass Band on the other hand rehearsed their "Hungarian Dance". The Teatro LaSalliana was no where to be seen on Thursday night but probably practicing for their Minor Prods next week. The DLSU-D Chorale sang their songs from the Square Canteen. And the VPAPU was either at the Admin painting on pieces of the PAG Recital Stage or in Lake Park (like Kring and myself) managing with the talents and the stage and the technicals.
I was so tired back in my dorm room. I fell asleep...
FRIDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "TM for Technical Maniac")
...and woke up 7:36AM missing a Quiz in Ecology. Shit.
For Thursday being such a long and tiring day, my Friday began with bullshit. I missed an Essay Quiz in Ecology and was still so tired I nearly missed a Kasaysayan as well. I left the dorm room tired and arrived at JFH 101 to find Class President Tina holding a meeting with classmates. No Kasaysayan, but a full detailed look at the events ahead for the remaining part of the 1st Semester.
JOU1-1 will be participating in a PE Aerobics Competition. JOU1-1 has a variety show for Literature. JOU1-1 has been requested to be in-charge of the AB Com's Award Night. A PAG Recital for PAG Members. Ate Angge's Community Church will be holding a singing competition.
It's just so much for JOU1-1 alone and as a member of PAG.... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
In Gen. Psychology two groups reported and for the afternoon I spent it excused from PE (all PAG are excused) and running more errands for VPAPU. Technical Manager is tough and imagine it on the actual night, which is next Wednesday the 25th of September.
I arranged to get picked up at 7PM and the whole afternoon and early evening I spent it at Lake Park tending to Kuya Paul's technical needs for the Recital. Kuya Paul is what I call "the most powerful man in PAG" because he is the President of the Teatro LaSalliana and in almost all the major and minor productions on campus, he has his hands on it.
I jotted down notes. While I was there I had a visitor. It was Candy from High School and member of the "G7" or Group of 7. Ok. So she visited her two dorm mates who were Probationary members of the DLSU-D Brass Band. But still we had a lot of time to talk. She showed me some pictures from our High School. It brought back the memories and as I said to her... "This is weird. The past in this pictures right here. The present and future all around us.".
The flow of the Recital was finally entering my head and I was understanding how the technicals would work. The Recital ended about 15 minutes after my pick-up had arrived. My cousin from my mom's side, my Uncle from my dad's side, and the driver were all there.
After excusing myself from the President of VPAPU and rushed to my dorm room to pack things up and gather all my laundry in a black plastic. From there I got inside someone else's owner because ours was broken, and we rode off for home.
***
I'm typing this "The Damage Report" on Sunday night and into Monday morning. I am so busy and tired these past few days that blogging has become impossible. There's lots to blog but there's no time to type and surf these days. It bothers me and it's a frustration. But hopefully I will pull through.
TITLE IN REVIEW: It's pretty self-explanatory. It's my line during our performance at the DLSU-D Plaza as I portrayed General MacArthur. It also represents how even if my Academics pushed me or my Organizations pushed me, that "I have returned" to the opposite one each time with all that I can give.
The Damage Report - Week #15
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
UPDATES: this post has pictures taken of some events. however, these pictures have not been developed and/or scanned yet. so please return to this entry in the next few weeks for a picture update.
Throughout the previous week I have been bothered by a Cold Sore. This Cold Sore conflicted with my responsibilities to VPAPU. The week was loaded with Rehearsals and at somepoint during the week I reached the breaking point and wished to officially LEAVE one of my Organizations- the VPAPU.
MONDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "Org Stress and Sneezing")
Last Monday we had a make-up class for "Kasaysayan" for missing it during our Recollection. I moved back into the campus at 8:30AM to fixed up my room and ended up in the classroom just a few minutes before the discussion was finished. JOU1-1 and our Professor Ms. Montenegro were discussing that the JOU1-1 performance for the "Linggo ng Kasaysayan" would be on Thursday so intensive planning was taking place.
Later in the afternoon we had a short skit to do in Intro for Ms. Valera. Then in NSTP-CWTSP we didn't go off-campus on a survey mission but instead had a discussion and a "reality check" with the Coordinators about visiting these families down the road.
On Monday Evening my Cold Sore got the best of me and constantly drove me insane with that feeling like I'm about to sneeze. This disrupted my helping hand for VPAPU which was having yet another meeting with the Production "All For The Love of Thee". I was asked to run some errands and it added frustration with the Cold Sore. I asked the President of the Org that I be excused because I was feeling overworked and fatigued. She kindly dismissed me and handed me a boxed Dinner that the "All For the Love of Thee" talents and production staff can have during the meetings.
I headed to my dorm room to catch the Buffy Season 5 Finale and then on Charmed a confusing rerun after they had announced it would be a new episode.
TUESDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "Mula sa Bulwagang Pambalitaan")
Regular classes proceeded on Tuesday. It was my turn for the newscasting for our "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" class. Athena and Kats did extremely good. I felt that "BroadJourn Shiver" once again. Ate Angge also did very well. On mine, since I don't really speak Tagalog and when I started to report in Tagalog... my ending resulted in this loud cheer by my classmates which in turn ended up in a short 2 minute sermon from Mr. Garcia. My professor asked me if I was aware I had a good voice and his comment was that I needed to work on my Pronouncination. He also handed my Midterm grade. The result? It's my 2nd highest grade out of all the other subjects during the Midterms.
Rehearsals went full blast again in the evening. Luckily the [Heraldo Filipino] handed me enough space to work with PAG this week. However, in the evening I was getting extremely tired and dizzy especially after a disastrous College Albera Long Quiz. I didn't attend the meeting with VPAPU.
WEDNESDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "The Many Faces of PAG")
The good old half day no more. Maximum Rehearsals took place for my block performance in the "Linggo ng Kasaysayan".
In the afternoon it was a swordfight between the JOU1-1 Rehearsals and the PAG Rehearsals. Where I was needed and what I needed were conflicting with each other.
I returned to VPAPU to conduct several errands and meetings. My position as TM for the PAG Recital was pushing me to the limit even more. On Wednesday night it was decided that I was leaving VPAPU and some orgmates know about it, especially two from [Heraldo Filipino] who saw how haggard I looked.
Walking up the stairs was tiresome at the Admin building.
Being assigned another task made me lose some breath.
Confusion on getting what light on what switch.
At the same time seeing the faces of some of my classmates who are members of PAG but in different organizations within it. Jeremy of Pointes and Flexes Dance Troupe showing his moves to the limit. Leah and Jonee of Chorale doing the singing gig. Jhen, Arjay, William, and Athena running around doing Teatro LaSalliana errands.
Leaving would mean my backstage pass to the performing events of the school will be reduced if not fully cut. Leaving would mean I would have a lot of extra time to work out at the Gym. Leaving would exclude me from the fun events of PAG. Leaving would give me time to concentrate on extra effort on my grades. Leaving would put my College Life back to plain writing and reserved living.
Leaving is good and sometimes Leaving is bad. I can't decide on staying as a face in the PAG.
THURSDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "I Have Returned!")
The big day itself for the JOU1-1 performance. Parallel to how busy and crammed the class was with working with a performance like the "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" last August where we did win 3rd Place. Literature and ReEd refused to surrender practice time which led to only 2 to 3 hours to rehearse before the event.
I wore a Fatigue for the first time and I was to play General MacArthur. Hence the title of that day's entry in my offline journal and the title of this week's "The Damage Report". "I Have Returned!"... my only lines. I was sporting a pair of shades from Keith, the cool Hat and Belt of Jessica, and the Fatigue was courtesy Apple and Ayesya.
The Tape Recording was lost at PLS during our "PE Make up class" on Wednesday afternoon. Thus it left us with unedited tapes labeled with numbers. A flaw in our performance later on.
We wearn't ready for a Parade but still a Parade took place. Some classmates of mine forced me to go to the front of our class and hold up the sign "JOU1-1" which I later preserved in my room on my desk. I was side by side with Jessica Fenal, Athena, Kuya Rheyan, and Kate Mamon who were "American Soldiers" with MacArthur.
The parade finished at the Museo Grounds / DLSU-D Plaza. We were assigned 2nd to the last to perform. It would give us about another hour and 30 minutes to practice. And that's what we did. We did two or three runs of our performance to the side of the Museo that is not seen by the rest of the campus.
Unlike our first big-time performance about the Burnhams last August, we were performing in a performance and not in a competition. This non-competition performance included two of our neighboring sections... COM1-1 and COM1-3. COM1-2 on the other hand surrendered some of their guys to help JOU1-1.
We executed our performance and the lack of a continued and straight tape decreased the quality of our performance. But it was still executed pretty well with the talents of my class. The "40s Boogie" at the start was unique and got the audiences around in a good mood. Compared to other performances of the day which had drama and suspence all the time, our 40s Boogie was a good way to start. Kudos to our Professor.
I crawled on the ground, got pulled to the side by Athena and Kate Mamon. I yelled the "I HAVE RETURNED!" as loud as my quiet bedroom voice could go and it was done.
Other people performing included my dorm friend Joel. His PolSci (POSCI1-2) classmates performed a traditional Muslim dance thing that could have required more practice.
It was a very tiring day which included my Camera running out of battery which destroyed the few pictures I had of the event. Sadly, this performance wasn't covered entirely. It bothers me up to this day.
The rifles we rented which was also a symbol of the day became drama with us losing three of them. Three lost rifles equalled to 1,300 pesos in fine. Kuya Rheyan found the three rifles later on because some female dormers in my class accidentally forgot to inform us that they took it with them to the dorm. It was just a lack of communication and no problem. No 1,300 pesos but instead a bonus in our treats next Monday for our make-up class in "Kasaysayan".
And if that was tiring, it wasn't over yet. The evening was running more errands for VPAPU and activating the lights at the Lake Park. This invovled sweeping mud and water and other filth from the ugly Lake Park stage with orgmate Kring who is the Stage Manager.
The evening was continued practices of the PAG Orgs. The Filipiniana Dance Company (FDC) had their bamboo sticks and clear glasses. The Pointes and Flexes Dance Troupe continued to dance to the beats of the DLSU-D Pop Band. The DLSU-D Brass Band on the other hand rehearsed their "Hungarian Dance". The Teatro LaSalliana was no where to be seen on Thursday night but probably practicing for their Minor Prods next week. The DLSU-D Chorale sang their songs from the Square Canteen. And the VPAPU was either at the Admin painting on pieces of the PAG Recital Stage or in Lake Park (like Kring and myself) managing with the talents and the stage and the technicals.
I was so tired back in my dorm room. I fell asleep...
FRIDAY - (Offline G*Journal entry titled: "TM for Technical Maniac")
...and woke up 7:36AM missing a Quiz in Ecology. Shit.
For Thursday being such a long and tiring day, my Friday began with bullshit. I missed an Essay Quiz in Ecology and was still so tired I nearly missed a Kasaysayan as well. I left the dorm room tired and arrived at JFH 101 to find Class President Tina holding a meeting with classmates. No Kasaysayan, but a full detailed look at the events ahead for the remaining part of the 1st Semester.
JOU1-1 will be participating in a PE Aerobics Competition. JOU1-1 has a variety show for Literature. JOU1-1 has been requested to be in-charge of the AB Com's Award Night. A PAG Recital for PAG Members. Ate Angge's Community Church will be holding a singing competition.
It's just so much for JOU1-1 alone and as a member of PAG.... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
In Gen. Psychology two groups reported and for the afternoon I spent it excused from PE (all PAG are excused) and running more errands for VPAPU. Technical Manager is tough and imagine it on the actual night, which is next Wednesday the 25th of September.
I arranged to get picked up at 7PM and the whole afternoon and early evening I spent it at Lake Park tending to Kuya Paul's technical needs for the Recital. Kuya Paul is what I call "the most powerful man in PAG" because he is the President of the Teatro LaSalliana and in almost all the major and minor productions on campus, he has his hands on it.
I jotted down notes. While I was there I had a visitor. It was Candy from High School and member of the "G7" or Group of 7. Ok. So she visited her two dorm mates who were Probationary members of the DLSU-D Brass Band. But still we had a lot of time to talk. She showed me some pictures from our High School. It brought back the memories and as I said to her... "This is weird. The past in this pictures right here. The present and future all around us.".
The flow of the Recital was finally entering my head and I was understanding how the technicals would work. The Recital ended about 15 minutes after my pick-up had arrived. My cousin from my mom's side, my Uncle from my dad's side, and the driver were all there.
After excusing myself from the President of VPAPU and rushed to my dorm room to pack things up and gather all my laundry in a black plastic. From there I got inside someone else's owner because ours was broken, and we rode off for home.
***
I'm typing this "The Damage Report" on Sunday night and into Monday morning. I am so busy and tired these past few days that blogging has become impossible. There's lots to blog but there's no time to type and surf these days. It bothers me and it's a frustration. But hopefully I will pull through.
TITLE IN REVIEW: It's pretty self-explanatory. It's my line during our performance at the DLSU-D Plaza as I portrayed General MacArthur. It also represents how even if my Academics pushed me or my Organizations pushed me, that "I have returned" to the opposite one each time with all that I can give.
Monday, September 16, 2002
A Special Thank You
To the young woman who sings at a Community Church.
To the girl who mimics my english nevertheless. ü
To the extraordinary writer and BroadJourn's pride in the HF.
To the girl who has potential to win a Philippine Oscar.
To the shy but gifted friend of mine.
To the young woman who sings at a Community Church.
To the girl who mimics my english nevertheless. ü
To the extraordinary writer and BroadJourn's pride in the HF.
To the girl who has potential to win a Philippine Oscar.
To the shy but gifted friend of mine.
TIRED BUT INSPIRED
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #15
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
This week is returning back into the confines of College life. Last week was anticipation and excitement for our first Recollection in College and now everything is back to normal. From Academics come forth new lessons, first quizzes of the Final term, and more projects. From Organizations come forth HF Articles once again, VPAPU pressured schedule with creating our first backdrop and stagework alongside the pressures of the Recital on Friday, and AB COM CHANNEL shooting and taping continues.
I'm already getting a headache thinking about it, and now more then ever I'm thinking of dropping one of those Organizations. Especially now that I've had a bit of inspiration and direction thrown at me from far away.
Now what am I talking about?
My cousin, this time my dad's side, from the States called earlier. I never actually receive International Calls. They are usually always for my parents and my mom when my dad calls. But this time around, I got a call just for me!
It was my cousin Kuya V, who called to ask me to gather the telephone numbers and cellphone numbers of the rest of my cousins on my dad's side that are here in Tanza, Cavite. Unlike my mom's side when I say "cousins", the google search engine might find over five or six dozen... my dad's side only has an organized few numbering under 20 of them. However, I'm not that close to my cousins here in the Philippines since they all run their own families and individual lives now. (most of them are already in their late 20s, and in the states in their 3s or 30s, my brother and I are the only ones in the teen years).
The phone call shifted to talking about my life and at times dilemma lately. With my cousin whom I haven't spoken to for, what, Seven Years already... I got to express myself and talk about issues that are deep inside of me. Like my College Life in the future.
--As of Lately, my ambition charges and charts my course to continue AB BroadJourn till 4th Year and hopefully gain a successful internship and practicum with ABS-CBN specifically their Branch "STUDIO 23" or with a nice local newspaper or Radio Station like Magic 89.9--
But a part of me still thrives to go beyond that. Although Studio 23 is enough for me, something else is there. The problems of living in the Philippines... the "practical" and "reality" way of it all. The part of me that screams "Aim for Success in the field of Media in the States and not in the Philippines."
My cousin gave me very interesting points about working in the United States, specifically the very diverse Bay Area (San Francisco) which is where my stateside hometown is supposed to be at. He encouraged me and gave me a 'torch in a dark room'.
I can conclude that from that phone call alone, I was greatly inspired and encouraged to put the United States as part of my future Career path. I want to finish majoring AB Broadcast Journalism at DLSU-D and sharpen up my skills in the field of Media with my College Course and my affiliated Organizations. After that, I might stick around in the Philippines for one more extra year with the option of grabbing another Major (i.e. AB Communication) or turning my 4th Year College Internship/Practicum into a teaser of whatever Career I have then.
Hopefully by then I'd be mature enough and physically grown that I will move to the States on my own and live with my cousin in Vallejo, California. There I can either jump start a career or job at a community newspaper and work my way up. OR I can go to what my cousin on the phone said, San Francisco State University, where he said has one of the best Broadcasting majors available.
The future has been expanded and cleared up a little. All I have to do now is continue what I'm doing. I also asked him about the Gym and about some Nutrition facts. Since he's the cousin on my dad's side that played sports and went to the gym my age... I had to get it clear from him.
And after some talk about that, I was even more encouraged to resume my work outs after a 4 or 5 month delay and go straight onwards with jogging and weightlifting.
Thanks Kuya Vince. I really needed this kind of advice, especially with my dad away training in the States. My mom, my brother, and my friends can't tackle these issues with me. Thanks.
A brief teaser of what's to come this week. On Monday it's returning to Barangay Bautista for Round 4 of Surveying. On Tuesday it's my turn on the Newscasting in "Sining ng Kommunikasyon", in Tagalog. All this week are preparations for the PAG Recital. I'm making a Powerpoint Presentation for the Performing Arts Group Recital on Friday. Hopefully VPAPU will let me concentrate on making this presentation rather then painting a whole portion of the background of the stage.
God Bless this week. I pray I have the energy to accomplish all these tasks ahead of me.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #15
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
This week is returning back into the confines of College life. Last week was anticipation and excitement for our first Recollection in College and now everything is back to normal. From Academics come forth new lessons, first quizzes of the Final term, and more projects. From Organizations come forth HF Articles once again, VPAPU pressured schedule with creating our first backdrop and stagework alongside the pressures of the Recital on Friday, and AB COM CHANNEL shooting and taping continues.
I'm already getting a headache thinking about it, and now more then ever I'm thinking of dropping one of those Organizations. Especially now that I've had a bit of inspiration and direction thrown at me from far away.
Now what am I talking about?
My cousin, this time my dad's side, from the States called earlier. I never actually receive International Calls. They are usually always for my parents and my mom when my dad calls. But this time around, I got a call just for me!
It was my cousin Kuya V, who called to ask me to gather the telephone numbers and cellphone numbers of the rest of my cousins on my dad's side that are here in Tanza, Cavite. Unlike my mom's side when I say "cousins", the google search engine might find over five or six dozen... my dad's side only has an organized few numbering under 20 of them. However, I'm not that close to my cousins here in the Philippines since they all run their own families and individual lives now. (most of them are already in their late 20s, and in the states in their 3s or 30s, my brother and I are the only ones in the teen years).
The phone call shifted to talking about my life and at times dilemma lately. With my cousin whom I haven't spoken to for, what, Seven Years already... I got to express myself and talk about issues that are deep inside of me. Like my College Life in the future.
--As of Lately, my ambition charges and charts my course to continue AB BroadJourn till 4th Year and hopefully gain a successful internship and practicum with ABS-CBN specifically their Branch "STUDIO 23" or with a nice local newspaper or Radio Station like Magic 89.9--
But a part of me still thrives to go beyond that. Although Studio 23 is enough for me, something else is there. The problems of living in the Philippines... the "practical" and "reality" way of it all. The part of me that screams "Aim for Success in the field of Media in the States and not in the Philippines."
My cousin gave me very interesting points about working in the United States, specifically the very diverse Bay Area (San Francisco) which is where my stateside hometown is supposed to be at. He encouraged me and gave me a 'torch in a dark room'.
I can conclude that from that phone call alone, I was greatly inspired and encouraged to put the United States as part of my future Career path. I want to finish majoring AB Broadcast Journalism at DLSU-D and sharpen up my skills in the field of Media with my College Course and my affiliated Organizations. After that, I might stick around in the Philippines for one more extra year with the option of grabbing another Major (i.e. AB Communication) or turning my 4th Year College Internship/Practicum into a teaser of whatever Career I have then.
Hopefully by then I'd be mature enough and physically grown that I will move to the States on my own and live with my cousin in Vallejo, California. There I can either jump start a career or job at a community newspaper and work my way up. OR I can go to what my cousin on the phone said, San Francisco State University, where he said has one of the best Broadcasting majors available.
The future has been expanded and cleared up a little. All I have to do now is continue what I'm doing. I also asked him about the Gym and about some Nutrition facts. Since he's the cousin on my dad's side that played sports and went to the gym my age... I had to get it clear from him.
And after some talk about that, I was even more encouraged to resume my work outs after a 4 or 5 month delay and go straight onwards with jogging and weightlifting.
Thanks Kuya Vince. I really needed this kind of advice, especially with my dad away training in the States. My mom, my brother, and my friends can't tackle these issues with me. Thanks.
A brief teaser of what's to come this week. On Monday it's returning to Barangay Bautista for Round 4 of Surveying. On Tuesday it's my turn on the Newscasting in "Sining ng Kommunikasyon", in Tagalog. All this week are preparations for the PAG Recital. I'm making a Powerpoint Presentation for the Performing Arts Group Recital on Friday. Hopefully VPAPU will let me concentrate on making this presentation rather then painting a whole portion of the background of the stage.
God Bless this week. I pray I have the energy to accomplish all these tasks ahead of me.
My Cousin's Quick and Simple Wedding
I'm not that close to this cousin of mine, and on his Invitation I was listed as the Groomsman which I knew has got to be wrong. The best man?! I barely know this guy. I was supposed to be one of the abay's. Then my Aunt comes and my mom asks her "George is asking how did he become the Groomsman?" and then my Aunt responds "Because you said so and that he'd fit the role very well.".
My mom was probably puzzled. My mom never mentioned a request for anything about what my position was in this Wedding Ceremony. For all my mom cared, it was up to the Bride and Groom who would help make their wedding magical. My Aunt goes on thinking that my mom requested that I be the Best Man. It's absolutely not true.
I knew it was wrong and it was wrong later on.
Saturday morning. I wake up with a drift running in my head after being picked up from the Dorms late Friday night after I had returned from my Recollection in Batangas. Any kind of reminder of missing the mandatory "VPAPU" Birthday Bash made me feel bad. But I knew if I went from my Recollection straight to this heavy party by a swimming pool- then I would be unconscious for the wedding the following morning.
Not going was a good idea. It saved me the remaining energy I had left for this wedding.
I took a shower and suited up. My baggy dark blue-black formal pants and the Modif "Sky Blue" as my short-sleeved Camisachino. I wore the white Barong and felt like I was wearing a plastic bag. I hadn't worn any true barong's in ages and it felt weird at the same time traditional. "Hey, look at me, I'm All-Filipino over here!" was how I felt as we drove to my younger cousin's house in Tejero, Cavite.
He's 3rd Year HS and his dad, my Uncle, is part of the "Big 5 Alliance" as I like to tag in my mom's family. This "Big 5 Alliance" are the five who go out there and get a job and make themselves something unlike the other 6 brothers and sisters. Of the 10 other brothers and sisters my mom has, it's these other four that work. My Uncle, who went and lived in Madrid, spain. My other Uncle, who is now the eldest in the Family as of last November and lives in Naic, Cavite and advises my mom on issues lately. The younger Uncle, who is a Merchant Marine, and has two sons- one of which we were picking up for the Wedding because he's one of the Abay's. And a wise older Uncle who recently moved to San Diego, California and starting a "new life" there.
My cousin's name is Robin, and both of us were in the proper Modif. Inside our open-aired Owner, we drove across the fields and plantations of Tanza and Naic and finally arrived at the church.
Wait. I thought it was a big church or at least a church. But it wasn't. It was this hidden little Chapel no larger then my house in Tanza. We parked and next to this small little chapel was a large Construction project trying to erect some building. So the sounds of hammering and cement trucks was apparant.
I hopped off with Robin and soon the "Axis Powers" arrived via a jeepnee. Out came my other cousins... those I used to be close to before but with all the bullshit lately it has been scrambled and our relationships erased. We headed off into the small little chapel and waited for the ceremony to begin. About 30 or 40 people. This whole wedding, sorry to say, was totally "on-the-spot". Yes they had the decorations, but the flow of it was rough.
I knew I wasn't the Groomsman and when this fat lady called for "who's the abay for cutting the ribbon?!" I gladly got in line first with this very very young girl. She was probably Grade VI or First Year HS I don't know. I felt a bit insulted and knew I should be partnered up with at least someone who looks older, but then a part of me said: "Who cares! What's important is that your cousin Kuya Marlon gets married and he is happy.".
That thought expressed my way of thinking till the wedding was over.
The Best Man was someone more of age with my older cousin. My mom, still thinking I was the Groomsman, lodged a complaint while the Best Man was called to get in line. I signalled my mom to surrender and that it was alright. I don't deserve to be the best man and it's my Aunt's problem for mis-communication or mis-planning. Not ours.
So yes I went to cut the ribbon with this young girl, and just smiled and sat down to wherever location it was. Believe it or not, that same fat lady directed the whole thing as it went. It was like running a rehearsal but it was the real thing. At the same time, the church people or whoever screwed up the Procession or opening march by playing the wrong music. They were playing the "Ending" music of a Wedding after the couple got married. Poor cousin of mine.
I cut the ribbon and opened the ceremony. Son of the Alliance Robin took charge of lighting up the Candles. Axis R-- and M-- took over the Veil and Chain or whatever.
Afterwards a series of picture taking took place. This took quite a while. Once I was finished I went on the outside facing the Construction Project "next door" and Robin joined me. We had some catching up to do. He goes to St. Agustin Private School in Tanza. The premiere Private School of my hometown, and the one I would have gone to if it wearn't for Atheneum in Noveleta, Cavite back in my High School years.
A caravan was afterwards and across more plantations and sunny weather we arrived almost 30 minutes later someplace else in Naic. Some kind of "settlement" in the middle of a plantation. We parked and Robin and I, still in our formal suits... walked together down some eskinita (small road) to where a large firework explosion was heard. It rocked people back and I couldn't care less.
The traditional Wedding Reception setup. Semi "Street Children" everywhere looking at the delicious food available on several platters inside the Bride and Groom's "U-Table" or Tent. This tent was lined up with branches of Palm which formed the walls. The roofing was only a tent piece, which at one part flew open sending dirty rain water down over two or three Ninang's across from us. I looked at Robin and thanked God at the same time it didn't happen to us.
Wearing the Barong and being a part of this wedding was worth it as we had the chance to eat first, get the better served food, etc. However, it was steaming underneath the Barong I was wearing and the weather was getting even warmer. While I was eating, some guy passed by and handed me a plastic of three pictures. I was surprised and didn't expect some pictures this guy took from the Wedding earlier would have been developed already.
The first thing that came to mind was this blog. "Perfect. No need to develop and wait. I've got a picture to scan and place in my blog!".
My mom bought the three pictures and I was content. I got pictures taken of me in a Barong and at a Wedding. I ate a good meal, and my cousin and his newly made wife were happy. What could be better?
We left moments after we ate and reversed what we did earlier by dropping cousin Robin and my Uncle in Tejero. I asked to stop by McDo Tanza and on using the drive-thru to order a nice Sundae McDip Chocolate and a refreshing Lg. Orange Juice.
"Congratulations Kuya Marlon and your wife Ate Sally! As for me, I'll resume my llife now."
I'm not that close to this cousin of mine, and on his Invitation I was listed as the Groomsman which I knew has got to be wrong. The best man?! I barely know this guy. I was supposed to be one of the abay's. Then my Aunt comes and my mom asks her "George is asking how did he become the Groomsman?" and then my Aunt responds "Because you said so and that he'd fit the role very well.".
My mom was probably puzzled. My mom never mentioned a request for anything about what my position was in this Wedding Ceremony. For all my mom cared, it was up to the Bride and Groom who would help make their wedding magical. My Aunt goes on thinking that my mom requested that I be the Best Man. It's absolutely not true.
I knew it was wrong and it was wrong later on.
Saturday morning. I wake up with a drift running in my head after being picked up from the Dorms late Friday night after I had returned from my Recollection in Batangas. Any kind of reminder of missing the mandatory "VPAPU" Birthday Bash made me feel bad. But I knew if I went from my Recollection straight to this heavy party by a swimming pool- then I would be unconscious for the wedding the following morning.
Not going was a good idea. It saved me the remaining energy I had left for this wedding.
I took a shower and suited up. My baggy dark blue-black formal pants and the Modif "Sky Blue" as my short-sleeved Camisachino. I wore the white Barong and felt like I was wearing a plastic bag. I hadn't worn any true barong's in ages and it felt weird at the same time traditional. "Hey, look at me, I'm All-Filipino over here!" was how I felt as we drove to my younger cousin's house in Tejero, Cavite.
He's 3rd Year HS and his dad, my Uncle, is part of the "Big 5 Alliance" as I like to tag in my mom's family. This "Big 5 Alliance" are the five who go out there and get a job and make themselves something unlike the other 6 brothers and sisters. Of the 10 other brothers and sisters my mom has, it's these other four that work. My Uncle, who went and lived in Madrid, spain. My other Uncle, who is now the eldest in the Family as of last November and lives in Naic, Cavite and advises my mom on issues lately. The younger Uncle, who is a Merchant Marine, and has two sons- one of which we were picking up for the Wedding because he's one of the Abay's. And a wise older Uncle who recently moved to San Diego, California and starting a "new life" there.
My cousin's name is Robin, and both of us were in the proper Modif. Inside our open-aired Owner, we drove across the fields and plantations of Tanza and Naic and finally arrived at the church.
Wait. I thought it was a big church or at least a church. But it wasn't. It was this hidden little Chapel no larger then my house in Tanza. We parked and next to this small little chapel was a large Construction project trying to erect some building. So the sounds of hammering and cement trucks was apparant.
I hopped off with Robin and soon the "Axis Powers" arrived via a jeepnee. Out came my other cousins... those I used to be close to before but with all the bullshit lately it has been scrambled and our relationships erased. We headed off into the small little chapel and waited for the ceremony to begin. About 30 or 40 people. This whole wedding, sorry to say, was totally "on-the-spot". Yes they had the decorations, but the flow of it was rough.
I knew I wasn't the Groomsman and when this fat lady called for "who's the abay for cutting the ribbon?!" I gladly got in line first with this very very young girl. She was probably Grade VI or First Year HS I don't know. I felt a bit insulted and knew I should be partnered up with at least someone who looks older, but then a part of me said: "Who cares! What's important is that your cousin Kuya Marlon gets married and he is happy.".
That thought expressed my way of thinking till the wedding was over.
The Best Man was someone more of age with my older cousin. My mom, still thinking I was the Groomsman, lodged a complaint while the Best Man was called to get in line. I signalled my mom to surrender and that it was alright. I don't deserve to be the best man and it's my Aunt's problem for mis-communication or mis-planning. Not ours.
So yes I went to cut the ribbon with this young girl, and just smiled and sat down to wherever location it was. Believe it or not, that same fat lady directed the whole thing as it went. It was like running a rehearsal but it was the real thing. At the same time, the church people or whoever screwed up the Procession or opening march by playing the wrong music. They were playing the "Ending" music of a Wedding after the couple got married. Poor cousin of mine.
I cut the ribbon and opened the ceremony. Son of the Alliance Robin took charge of lighting up the Candles. Axis R-- and M-- took over the Veil and Chain or whatever.
Afterwards a series of picture taking took place. This took quite a while. Once I was finished I went on the outside facing the Construction Project "next door" and Robin joined me. We had some catching up to do. He goes to St. Agustin Private School in Tanza. The premiere Private School of my hometown, and the one I would have gone to if it wearn't for Atheneum in Noveleta, Cavite back in my High School years.
A caravan was afterwards and across more plantations and sunny weather we arrived almost 30 minutes later someplace else in Naic. Some kind of "settlement" in the middle of a plantation. We parked and Robin and I, still in our formal suits... walked together down some eskinita (small road) to where a large firework explosion was heard. It rocked people back and I couldn't care less.
The traditional Wedding Reception setup. Semi "Street Children" everywhere looking at the delicious food available on several platters inside the Bride and Groom's "U-Table" or Tent. This tent was lined up with branches of Palm which formed the walls. The roofing was only a tent piece, which at one part flew open sending dirty rain water down over two or three Ninang's across from us. I looked at Robin and thanked God at the same time it didn't happen to us.
Wearing the Barong and being a part of this wedding was worth it as we had the chance to eat first, get the better served food, etc. However, it was steaming underneath the Barong I was wearing and the weather was getting even warmer. While I was eating, some guy passed by and handed me a plastic of three pictures. I was surprised and didn't expect some pictures this guy took from the Wedding earlier would have been developed already.
The first thing that came to mind was this blog. "Perfect. No need to develop and wait. I've got a picture to scan and place in my blog!".
My mom bought the three pictures and I was content. I got pictures taken of me in a Barong and at a Wedding. I ate a good meal, and my cousin and his newly made wife were happy. What could be better?
We left moments after we ate and reversed what we did earlier by dropping cousin Robin and my Uncle in Tejero. I asked to stop by McDo Tanza and on using the drive-thru to order a nice Sundae McDip Chocolate and a refreshing Lg. Orange Juice.
"Congratulations Kuya Marlon and your wife Ate Sally! As for me, I'll resume my llife now."
Saturday, September 14, 2002
AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
The Damage Report - Week #14
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
UPDATES: this post has pictures taken of some events. however, these pictures have not been developed and/or scanned yet. so please return to this entry in the next few weeks for a picture update.
A breath of air. Nature inhaled. Problems exhaled. The first Recollection of our BroadJourn batch took place on Thursday and Friday. But first, a quick recap of the first three days of the week.
On Monday it was going to Barangay Bautista, specifically Zone #10, to continue our surveying of those who resettled into Dasmariñas from Tondo.
On Tuesday it was regular classes and new lessons but an extra in "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" where my classmates have an Oral Examination/Graded Recitation about "Newscasting" which is greatly related to our course. Classmate Emil rocked the class with this extraordinary reporting "exactly like that seen on TV". Jhen messed up a few times but was funny. Erian was also doing good, "first assignment niya!", formal I might add. Endrea and Kuya Rheyan can really project their voices.
On Wednesday after we completed our JOU1-1 "half day" I proceeded back and forth between ERS, HF Office, and CAO. It was a hassel doing so and in the process I lost the nice and simple dark blue Umbrella my mom bought me. I'm saddened by such a loss of Sentimental Value of a brand new umbrella. What sucks is... when it was lost or stolen, it wasn't even being used. It wasn't raining "yet". I just had it with me.
Wednesday was also a time to reflect on the tragic events of 9/11 last year. The day ended with an "All for the love of thee" Production Meeting inside the DLSU-D Chapel with VPAPU and the Talents which would include my classmate William Eusores.
THE JOU1-1 RECOLLECTION on Thursday and Friday
I started Thursday morning with the only class we had during the day, Literature. The Recollection only suspends classes at 11AM on the given school day. After class, I headed with a few classmates to ERS so we can go surfing for the 9 o'clock batch. At ERS I typed a blog entry that you can find here. After finishing at ERS I headed back to my Dorm Room and eventually ended up taking a short nap.
I was too lazy to leave my Dorm Room in advance that I killed time that could have made my trip better later on. I only had 8 shots left in my camera so I needed film. I also didn't have any available soap and extra shampoo, so I knew I had to buy any small packet.
All three things I couldn't buy. I was only in time for the Assembly.
I arrived in Civilian at the front of the DLSU-D Chapel. There about over half of my classmates were standing among the line of bags gathering on the sidewalk. I felt pressured to Register ahead of Kuya Rheyan whom I promised I would wait for. I registered with William the Talented, Jerson from Hometown Tanza, and Christian the Godfather of SM Bacoor.
I got my ID which was exaggerating to wear because the ID was like the size of a half-piece of yellow pad paper hanging on you. My number was "7" and I proceeded to walk around with classmates and having small conversations with them.
Soon mass began and the other block coming with us isn't COM1-3, isn't some "Human Resource Development", but instead is TOURISM. This Recollection would be attended by two Freshmen "Iz-ems" (Journalism/Tourism).
Our class outnumbered the other class and the other block compared to us was quiet. After the mass was a short orientation and we were off to one of the two buses.
As we waited to leave, our professor in Re-Ed himself, Mr. Marvin Lepardo, boarded the bus. He surprised us. Our Recollection Facilitator would be our classroom professor in Re-Ed! The bus roared and cheered as he arrived on the bus. Classmates went camera-crazy (you can't argue with that if you're BroadJourn) and as our bus left the campus, we were singing Videoke songs from the TV Screen.
I was sitting with William. He got the window. And to my left was Block President Tina, sitting on the pull-out chair on the column. MTV and "Eat Bulaga!" was showing on the TV screen. William was listening to his Study Tape for "All for the love of thee" and Tina was sitting there talking to anyone around. Emil and Jeremy continued their queer jokes which made the class laugh a couple of times as we gained some altitude.
We passed Silang and Tagaytay Cavite and entered briefly into Batangas territory, saw the sign "DLSU Charles Huang Conference Center" and took a turn. The bus went around the side of a mountain road and the view was spectacular. A mountain that Kuya Rheyan hiked on before could be seen in the Distance. It reminded me of Survivor Marqueses except this place had more fog and gloomy weather.
The bus dropped us off at the summit of a long road that led us downward to the building of Charles Huang. On the way down we encountered first year PolSci students including Joseph my Dorm Neighbor and Joel my Best Friend also from the Dorms.
The two PolSci sections are heading home and started their way up the inclined road. I passed by Joseph and Joel and spoke to them for a short while then I joined my classmates down at the base of Charles Huang. Another Registration began and soon we were having Merienda in the Cafeteria.
Both Tourism and Journalism went into the Chapel and after a short orientation, we were dismissed to go to our rooms. Suprisingly, the girls were assigned into big rooms in the "Underground" (taking note Room #5 is the lowest and "said-haunted") while the few guys of both Journalism and Tourism (yep, the Tourism class also had more girls) were assigned to the Private Quarters above the main Lobby. Two per room in the Private Quarters.
I honestly wanted the larger rooms so all the guys of BroadJourn could be there and it seemed right rather than having a Private Room. I didn't argue though, no problems with two to a bathroom rather than 15 to a bathroom like downstairs. I took the key to Room 203 and next thing I know I'm standing there in this room. Furnished and making me wish the dorms inside DLSU-D were just like this. Still, the feeling of jitters about stories heard about this place. But to tell you, it was all nothing. It felt clean and clear to me. Nadda. Zip. No ghosts. Nothing like that. Only the "unknown" factor brought in the jitters.
The rest of the evening was a nice session. Registration (the 3rd one) was inside our Conference Room. Arazelli, the purple-loving girl that sits in the front of the classroom, was singing with actions. It's like she went drunk with the microphone, but she was entertaining her classmates. The actual singers of our classroom are DLSU-D Chorale (PAG) peeps like Jonee from Cavite City and Leah from Taguig, as well as Ate Angge who sings in a Choir in her community church and Jessica Mendoza (the next Jessica Soho) who sings with pure heart and soul but not in any choir I know of.
Mr. Lepardo started the session and we began with singing and getting pamplets or little workbooks. The atmosphere was just perfect for a Recollection. The cold night outside up on the side of a mountain overlooking Taal Lake in the darkness. The fairness between the heat and the cold, and our presence of the Broadjourn class as the warmth.
Added our Facilitator was our Professor, we needed no big introductions. Our Professor knew our class already and knew how to enhance our Recollection. He knew what jokes our class would make, and what jokes he could make for our class.
The last sesson of the evening involved us playing ice-breaker games like "Do you love me?" (answer: yes, which means everyone must dash for another seat OR no, the person saying no must pick a description like "people wearing shoes" and those wearing shoes will make a dash for another seat).
The last session also included singing the song "Only Hope", a beautiful song but already expired on my personal playlist since July, then lighting up candles in the center of the room and reflecting in the darkness with our hands open to God. Something that I really felt. Something more than a Retreat I had with my HS Batchmates last February 1 to 3. Shaking of hands and hugging proceeded afterwards in that session and we were off to freetime. Freetime to roam outside in the dark and embrace the cold air. Endrea, Jhen, and I looked at the stars. We saw a shooting star, and my wish was something about the Recollection.
A game of Truth or Dare was also an event in the evening. Around sleeping hours, I started to make my notes for my classmates. An activity for this recollection involved everyone making Envelopes and posting them on a wall so on Friday morning we could post our notes to each other. It reminded me of Elementary School again, but it was an activity that I liked. As a Cancerian, I wanted to express thanks and gratitude to some of my classmates and this was my chance to do so.
On the 2nd Floor, BroadJourn guys took over five rooms. Room 205 had the three "Charmed Ones of BroadJourn" Emil, Jeremy, and Natz in it. Room 204 had the more "cooler suave" guys, Keith the Taekwondo-Computer-DJ and Mark the Ladies' Man kind. Room 203, the center, involved the Org-affiliated guys. That would be William, recently made talent of a Major Prod this December at La Salle Zobel and probee of Teatro, and somewhere there was me. Room 202 housed the "Silent Ones" Kuya Rheyan the Studying and the Hiker and Eric the Writer and Music admirer. The last room at the far end of the hall, Room 201, boxed Godfather Christian who was already sleeping when told to sleep and Jerson my townmate in class (Tanza) who was just wondering around from room to room.
Basically it was quiet since the rules were strict and any noice could be heard as far as the other side of the hall or wing of the upper building. I have no idea how the girls were doing in the "Underground" rooms. Perhaps all that fun and conversation as they are all together in two big rooms. That's okay though, upstairs in the private rooms we had our own things to do like talk and sneak and get busted for not sleeping early.
Midnight approached and Friday the 13th was there. Christian was sleeping and it tossed a bored Jerson over to a bored Kuya Rheyan because Eric was also sleeping. Jerson and Kuya Rheyan joined William and I in our room. The center room had no hallroom window so we could leave the light on without letting anyone know about it. Sound was also trapped in the room because we covered the airspace underneath the door. The main window with the view of the inclined road was the only thing that could expose us as "still awake".
We just "made kwento" and time to time heard the three "Charmed Ones" laughing and joking in Room 205. I sneaked in some innocent Magic Flakes and shared it. We didn't talk about Ghosts or anything, just normal stuff.
It was 3 o'clock in the morning.
I opened my eyes and it was a quarter till 7 o'clock which was the announced Breakfast time. Being late meant paying a 30 peso fee for additional serving and cooking. I quickly woke William up and we joined the other guys outside in the hall.
We went downstairs to eat in the same chairs and table we did the day before. Afterwards I rushed upstairs to take a very ice-cold shower. But still worth it since the bathroom was really furnished by the Center but minus the soap, shampoo, and a towel. I got out and started to clear up my stuff because we had to surrender the room at 0830 hours.
I started writing my notes late and eventually ran out of time. We went cleared the place and now we were stationed downstairs. No more room to call "home". The session began with several games and we sang a few more songs and did more reflecting. We broke up into several groups to share our "Banig ng Buhay" segments in our work tablets or little workbooks. Autographing each others' work tablets also took place. (one page is dedicated to signatures of our classmates)
Another break took place and we had Pansit and Toast in the Cafeteria. Afterwards I had more time to work on my notes, which I was achieving slower then a snail at that time. We headed into the Chapel and BroadJourn took all the front rows of the Chapel- an observation I had. Tourism were in the back and perhaps quietly listening.
We spent nearly an hour rehearsing songs for the mass later, and during that time I was writing my notes. My classmates all finished last night and once again I'm rushing to get something like notes finished. They were all simple "Stay the same!" but with an added thanks or a trait I liked about the specific person. An optional Confession also took place at this time.
Mass took place and it can be concluded by the message of this Recollection according to our Professor/Facilitator, "Love your Enemies. Fight them with Love.".
After mass, Kuya Rheyan and I together decided to take the skinny and eeree stairwell on the side to see if we can shortcut ourselves to the Conference room which was above the Chapel level. The door was locked and I was filled with adrenalin due to these quiet, cold, and twilight stairs. I said to Kuya Rheyan, why not we explore the place. We went down the stairs to each level. Until we reached the very bottom of the stairs. I approached the downwards and saw on a brown closed door the number "5".
I turned into an exclamation point. *Flashback* "Room 5 is the "deepest of the dungeon" and probably haunted".
Kuya Rheyan and I ran back up the stairs which you can add to the opening credits of next season's "The Journalours". We entered the Cafeteria and began to eat Lunch.
Picture taking began and one last session was held. In this last session, Mr. Lepardo said the mass was the proper conclusion and that this session should be to just express ourselves to the class. We are called one by one to pick up the DLSU Rosary, our Recognition Card for Attending this Recollection, and to pick up our envelope from the board. We also had the option to take the microphone and say a few things. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and talk about the development of the BroadJourn Website. Something I should have done back in my HS but I never got the microphone since time ran out.
I got my envelope and I read the notes I got. Thanks to classmates who gave me a note!
An exchange of talents took place. Bianca and Mendy the lost Sex Bomb Dancers did their splits again to J. Lo's music. The class convinced quiet and simple Kaye to do some Ballet. Jeremy from Pointes did a short on-the-spot dance. The four probees of Teatro were called "by popular demand" to do a segment. Tearful Jhen, Shouting William, Lola Arjay, and Mistress Athena took the floor. And as a probee of VPAPU, I returned the chair they used to it's original spot.
After the last session, we were free to get ready for the bus and buy some "pasalubong" (gifts). Lots of picture taking took place outside with the scenery. A Batch picture for our future website. All with the many other cameras. My only film dried out the night before with a group picture in our Private Quarters.
The bus came and we boarded. We climbed up the inclined road with our heavy bags and got on the bus. And we left.
I left a much-needed breath of fresh air. I was now returning to campus with it's Organizations grasping me at the throat. A VPAPU Suprise Birthday Bash and Debut that I knew I had no more energy to go to. The ride to the Recollection was fun and filled with energy but the ride back down to Dasmariñas was just dizzy. Air pressure changing, the refreshing cold become smoggy warm again, and a tired body from this whole trip.
We bid farewell to Tina and Mr. Lepardo in Alfonso Cavite. In Silang Cavite we lost Cindy and Arazelli as they went home there. At Waltermart Dasmariñas we said bye to Eric, Jerson, Jhen, and a bunch of other peeps. Along the way from Waltermart to where I got off we lost Keith, Wilda, Kaye, and Melanie to the off-campus boarding houses they go to. At the Gate 3 we gave up Krystelle and Joy and someone else that I knew got off but didn't see.
The on-campus dormers of DLSU-D got off at Lake Park inside the campus and we marched for our dorms. While Ate Angge, Erian, Kuya Rheyan and them went surfing at ERS. I was with Upper. The mood was now dry and sad. It was back to normal again. Although I was thankful the campus was now few with people since it was just moments before Friday evening.
THE PHYSICAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I headed into my dorm room and opened my door. That same scent and sometimes even stench of Dorm life destroyed the Batangas-mountain air I had in my lungs. I wanted so badly to just go home to Tanza and sleep, rest, and continue my reflecting there.
Instead I had to take out my cellphone and find out how the hell I was to get to the VPAPU Surprise Party which was Mandatory and the other probationary members were working full-time and giving it their hardest to prepare for. I am truely sorry Jerwyn of COM1-1, Sai (HS Rachelle Hererra's ComSci classmate), Kuya Carlo and Ate Ruan, Roi, and the rest of the other probationary members of VPAPU.
That I couldn't attend.
The Original plan was that I would make "pahabol" and rush to the party. But I had no idea where it was in "Windward" and "Windward" is a very big and perhaps confusing place to go to with lots of "dangerous people" at night. At this party I was to host a game of "The Weakest Link" for the five officers celebrating, two of which celebrating their Debut. Then after an overnight stay, I would be back in La Salle Saturday morning at 6 o'clock so my mom can pick me up for "Haggard Weekend'er - Phase III: The Wedding".
So what happened? Dorm neighbors invited me to join them to eat at good ol' Brejanah's instead and I joined them. Kurt and the Twins Davies and Paul. It felt good to be with them and have someone to talk about. I dropped all the sentimental stuff I had in my head about the Recollection just hours before that and went ahead with talking about Kurt's continued problems of loving a high school friend of mine. Lance and Joel where at Robinsons. Lance was there on a "date" (with quotation marks according to Kurt) with that one 3rd Year High School "Golda-like" girl he met recently. Joel there for obvious reasons. Cash for Lance. How mean.
While the three "Taga-Kuwait", Brian (HS batchmate Veejay's ComSci classmate) the Serious, Basil the Loud, and Karl the Nasal where at SM Bacoor.
We returned to the dorms eventually and watched a little bit of Television while I started to pack up. My mom, Uncle, and driver arrived and soon I was home....
THE SPIRITUAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I enjoyed it. My spiritual aura improved and I really felt this Recollection. It reminded me again and again of how amazing my classmates are. I thanked God over and over again and prayed he bless our class. I felt refreshed by this Recollection. If Dorm Life takes me away from the problems at home with relatives. Then [Charles Huang Conference Center] took me away from the pressures at DLSU-D with Organizations. This Recollection was thee breather I needed.
TITLE IN REVIEW: "At the edge of the world." is how it felt being up on [Charles Huang] which was on the side of the forests down the mountain ridge. you can see lake taal and taal volcano in the distance and fog and mist below. clouds were also low and it felt like you were away from it all at some invisible point in the sky observing down below. it felt like looking over "the edge of the world".
The Damage Report - Week #14
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
UPDATES: this post has pictures taken of some events. however, these pictures have not been developed and/or scanned yet. so please return to this entry in the next few weeks for a picture update.
A breath of air. Nature inhaled. Problems exhaled. The first Recollection of our BroadJourn batch took place on Thursday and Friday. But first, a quick recap of the first three days of the week.
On Monday it was going to Barangay Bautista, specifically Zone #10, to continue our surveying of those who resettled into Dasmariñas from Tondo.
On Tuesday it was regular classes and new lessons but an extra in "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" where my classmates have an Oral Examination/Graded Recitation about "Newscasting" which is greatly related to our course. Classmate Emil rocked the class with this extraordinary reporting "exactly like that seen on TV". Jhen messed up a few times but was funny. Erian was also doing good, "first assignment niya!", formal I might add. Endrea and Kuya Rheyan can really project their voices.
On Wednesday after we completed our JOU1-1 "half day" I proceeded back and forth between ERS, HF Office, and CAO. It was a hassel doing so and in the process I lost the nice and simple dark blue Umbrella my mom bought me. I'm saddened by such a loss of Sentimental Value of a brand new umbrella. What sucks is... when it was lost or stolen, it wasn't even being used. It wasn't raining "yet". I just had it with me.
Wednesday was also a time to reflect on the tragic events of 9/11 last year. The day ended with an "All for the love of thee" Production Meeting inside the DLSU-D Chapel with VPAPU and the Talents which would include my classmate William Eusores.
THE JOU1-1 RECOLLECTION on Thursday and Friday
I started Thursday morning with the only class we had during the day, Literature. The Recollection only suspends classes at 11AM on the given school day. After class, I headed with a few classmates to ERS so we can go surfing for the 9 o'clock batch. At ERS I typed a blog entry that you can find here. After finishing at ERS I headed back to my Dorm Room and eventually ended up taking a short nap.
I was too lazy to leave my Dorm Room in advance that I killed time that could have made my trip better later on. I only had 8 shots left in my camera so I needed film. I also didn't have any available soap and extra shampoo, so I knew I had to buy any small packet.
All three things I couldn't buy. I was only in time for the Assembly.
I arrived in Civilian at the front of the DLSU-D Chapel. There about over half of my classmates were standing among the line of bags gathering on the sidewalk. I felt pressured to Register ahead of Kuya Rheyan whom I promised I would wait for. I registered with William the Talented, Jerson from Hometown Tanza, and Christian the Godfather of SM Bacoor.
I got my ID which was exaggerating to wear because the ID was like the size of a half-piece of yellow pad paper hanging on you. My number was "7" and I proceeded to walk around with classmates and having small conversations with them.
Soon mass began and the other block coming with us isn't COM1-3, isn't some "Human Resource Development", but instead is TOURISM. This Recollection would be attended by two Freshmen "Iz-ems" (Journalism/Tourism).
Our class outnumbered the other class and the other block compared to us was quiet. After the mass was a short orientation and we were off to one of the two buses.
As we waited to leave, our professor in Re-Ed himself, Mr. Marvin Lepardo, boarded the bus. He surprised us. Our Recollection Facilitator would be our classroom professor in Re-Ed! The bus roared and cheered as he arrived on the bus. Classmates went camera-crazy (you can't argue with that if you're BroadJourn) and as our bus left the campus, we were singing Videoke songs from the TV Screen.
I was sitting with William. He got the window. And to my left was Block President Tina, sitting on the pull-out chair on the column. MTV and "Eat Bulaga!" was showing on the TV screen. William was listening to his Study Tape for "All for the love of thee" and Tina was sitting there talking to anyone around. Emil and Jeremy continued their queer jokes which made the class laugh a couple of times as we gained some altitude.
We passed Silang and Tagaytay Cavite and entered briefly into Batangas territory, saw the sign "DLSU Charles Huang Conference Center" and took a turn. The bus went around the side of a mountain road and the view was spectacular. A mountain that Kuya Rheyan hiked on before could be seen in the Distance. It reminded me of Survivor Marqueses except this place had more fog and gloomy weather.
The bus dropped us off at the summit of a long road that led us downward to the building of Charles Huang. On the way down we encountered first year PolSci students including Joseph my Dorm Neighbor and Joel my Best Friend also from the Dorms.
The two PolSci sections are heading home and started their way up the inclined road. I passed by Joseph and Joel and spoke to them for a short while then I joined my classmates down at the base of Charles Huang. Another Registration began and soon we were having Merienda in the Cafeteria.
Both Tourism and Journalism went into the Chapel and after a short orientation, we were dismissed to go to our rooms. Suprisingly, the girls were assigned into big rooms in the "Underground" (taking note Room #5 is the lowest and "said-haunted") while the few guys of both Journalism and Tourism (yep, the Tourism class also had more girls) were assigned to the Private Quarters above the main Lobby. Two per room in the Private Quarters.
I honestly wanted the larger rooms so all the guys of BroadJourn could be there and it seemed right rather than having a Private Room. I didn't argue though, no problems with two to a bathroom rather than 15 to a bathroom like downstairs. I took the key to Room 203 and next thing I know I'm standing there in this room. Furnished and making me wish the dorms inside DLSU-D were just like this. Still, the feeling of jitters about stories heard about this place. But to tell you, it was all nothing. It felt clean and clear to me. Nadda. Zip. No ghosts. Nothing like that. Only the "unknown" factor brought in the jitters.
The rest of the evening was a nice session. Registration (the 3rd one) was inside our Conference Room. Arazelli, the purple-loving girl that sits in the front of the classroom, was singing with actions. It's like she went drunk with the microphone, but she was entertaining her classmates. The actual singers of our classroom are DLSU-D Chorale (PAG) peeps like Jonee from Cavite City and Leah from Taguig, as well as Ate Angge who sings in a Choir in her community church and Jessica Mendoza (the next Jessica Soho) who sings with pure heart and soul but not in any choir I know of.
Mr. Lepardo started the session and we began with singing and getting pamplets or little workbooks. The atmosphere was just perfect for a Recollection. The cold night outside up on the side of a mountain overlooking Taal Lake in the darkness. The fairness between the heat and the cold, and our presence of the Broadjourn class as the warmth.
Added our Facilitator was our Professor, we needed no big introductions. Our Professor knew our class already and knew how to enhance our Recollection. He knew what jokes our class would make, and what jokes he could make for our class.
The last sesson of the evening involved us playing ice-breaker games like "Do you love me?" (answer: yes, which means everyone must dash for another seat OR no, the person saying no must pick a description like "people wearing shoes" and those wearing shoes will make a dash for another seat).
The last session also included singing the song "Only Hope", a beautiful song but already expired on my personal playlist since July, then lighting up candles in the center of the room and reflecting in the darkness with our hands open to God. Something that I really felt. Something more than a Retreat I had with my HS Batchmates last February 1 to 3. Shaking of hands and hugging proceeded afterwards in that session and we were off to freetime. Freetime to roam outside in the dark and embrace the cold air. Endrea, Jhen, and I looked at the stars. We saw a shooting star, and my wish was something about the Recollection.
A game of Truth or Dare was also an event in the evening. Around sleeping hours, I started to make my notes for my classmates. An activity for this recollection involved everyone making Envelopes and posting them on a wall so on Friday morning we could post our notes to each other. It reminded me of Elementary School again, but it was an activity that I liked. As a Cancerian, I wanted to express thanks and gratitude to some of my classmates and this was my chance to do so.
On the 2nd Floor, BroadJourn guys took over five rooms. Room 205 had the three "Charmed Ones of BroadJourn" Emil, Jeremy, and Natz in it. Room 204 had the more "cooler suave" guys, Keith the Taekwondo-Computer-DJ and Mark the Ladies' Man kind. Room 203, the center, involved the Org-affiliated guys. That would be William, recently made talent of a Major Prod this December at La Salle Zobel and probee of Teatro, and somewhere there was me. Room 202 housed the "Silent Ones" Kuya Rheyan the Studying and the Hiker and Eric the Writer and Music admirer. The last room at the far end of the hall, Room 201, boxed Godfather Christian who was already sleeping when told to sleep and Jerson my townmate in class (Tanza) who was just wondering around from room to room.
Basically it was quiet since the rules were strict and any noice could be heard as far as the other side of the hall or wing of the upper building. I have no idea how the girls were doing in the "Underground" rooms. Perhaps all that fun and conversation as they are all together in two big rooms. That's okay though, upstairs in the private rooms we had our own things to do like talk and sneak and get busted for not sleeping early.
Midnight approached and Friday the 13th was there. Christian was sleeping and it tossed a bored Jerson over to a bored Kuya Rheyan because Eric was also sleeping. Jerson and Kuya Rheyan joined William and I in our room. The center room had no hallroom window so we could leave the light on without letting anyone know about it. Sound was also trapped in the room because we covered the airspace underneath the door. The main window with the view of the inclined road was the only thing that could expose us as "still awake".
We just "made kwento" and time to time heard the three "Charmed Ones" laughing and joking in Room 205. I sneaked in some innocent Magic Flakes and shared it. We didn't talk about Ghosts or anything, just normal stuff.
It was 3 o'clock in the morning.
I opened my eyes and it was a quarter till 7 o'clock which was the announced Breakfast time. Being late meant paying a 30 peso fee for additional serving and cooking. I quickly woke William up and we joined the other guys outside in the hall.
We went downstairs to eat in the same chairs and table we did the day before. Afterwards I rushed upstairs to take a very ice-cold shower. But still worth it since the bathroom was really furnished by the Center but minus the soap, shampoo, and a towel. I got out and started to clear up my stuff because we had to surrender the room at 0830 hours.
I started writing my notes late and eventually ran out of time. We went cleared the place and now we were stationed downstairs. No more room to call "home". The session began with several games and we sang a few more songs and did more reflecting. We broke up into several groups to share our "Banig ng Buhay" segments in our work tablets or little workbooks. Autographing each others' work tablets also took place. (one page is dedicated to signatures of our classmates)
Another break took place and we had Pansit and Toast in the Cafeteria. Afterwards I had more time to work on my notes, which I was achieving slower then a snail at that time. We headed into the Chapel and BroadJourn took all the front rows of the Chapel- an observation I had. Tourism were in the back and perhaps quietly listening.
We spent nearly an hour rehearsing songs for the mass later, and during that time I was writing my notes. My classmates all finished last night and once again I'm rushing to get something like notes finished. They were all simple "Stay the same!" but with an added thanks or a trait I liked about the specific person. An optional Confession also took place at this time.
Mass took place and it can be concluded by the message of this Recollection according to our Professor/Facilitator, "Love your Enemies. Fight them with Love.".
After mass, Kuya Rheyan and I together decided to take the skinny and eeree stairwell on the side to see if we can shortcut ourselves to the Conference room which was above the Chapel level. The door was locked and I was filled with adrenalin due to these quiet, cold, and twilight stairs. I said to Kuya Rheyan, why not we explore the place. We went down the stairs to each level. Until we reached the very bottom of the stairs. I approached the downwards and saw on a brown closed door the number "5".
I turned into an exclamation point. *Flashback* "Room 5 is the "deepest of the dungeon" and probably haunted".
Kuya Rheyan and I ran back up the stairs which you can add to the opening credits of next season's "The Journalours". We entered the Cafeteria and began to eat Lunch.
Picture taking began and one last session was held. In this last session, Mr. Lepardo said the mass was the proper conclusion and that this session should be to just express ourselves to the class. We are called one by one to pick up the DLSU Rosary, our Recognition Card for Attending this Recollection, and to pick up our envelope from the board. We also had the option to take the microphone and say a few things. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and talk about the development of the BroadJourn Website. Something I should have done back in my HS but I never got the microphone since time ran out.
I got my envelope and I read the notes I got. Thanks to classmates who gave me a note!
An exchange of talents took place. Bianca and Mendy the lost Sex Bomb Dancers did their splits again to J. Lo's music. The class convinced quiet and simple Kaye to do some Ballet. Jeremy from Pointes did a short on-the-spot dance. The four probees of Teatro were called "by popular demand" to do a segment. Tearful Jhen, Shouting William, Lola Arjay, and Mistress Athena took the floor. And as a probee of VPAPU, I returned the chair they used to it's original spot.
After the last session, we were free to get ready for the bus and buy some "pasalubong" (gifts). Lots of picture taking took place outside with the scenery. A Batch picture for our future website. All with the many other cameras. My only film dried out the night before with a group picture in our Private Quarters.
The bus came and we boarded. We climbed up the inclined road with our heavy bags and got on the bus. And we left.
I left a much-needed breath of fresh air. I was now returning to campus with it's Organizations grasping me at the throat. A VPAPU Suprise Birthday Bash and Debut that I knew I had no more energy to go to. The ride to the Recollection was fun and filled with energy but the ride back down to Dasmariñas was just dizzy. Air pressure changing, the refreshing cold become smoggy warm again, and a tired body from this whole trip.
We bid farewell to Tina and Mr. Lepardo in Alfonso Cavite. In Silang Cavite we lost Cindy and Arazelli as they went home there. At Waltermart Dasmariñas we said bye to Eric, Jerson, Jhen, and a bunch of other peeps. Along the way from Waltermart to where I got off we lost Keith, Wilda, Kaye, and Melanie to the off-campus boarding houses they go to. At the Gate 3 we gave up Krystelle and Joy and someone else that I knew got off but didn't see.
The on-campus dormers of DLSU-D got off at Lake Park inside the campus and we marched for our dorms. While Ate Angge, Erian, Kuya Rheyan and them went surfing at ERS. I was with Upper. The mood was now dry and sad. It was back to normal again. Although I was thankful the campus was now few with people since it was just moments before Friday evening.
THE PHYSICAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I headed into my dorm room and opened my door. That same scent and sometimes even stench of Dorm life destroyed the Batangas-mountain air I had in my lungs. I wanted so badly to just go home to Tanza and sleep, rest, and continue my reflecting there.
Instead I had to take out my cellphone and find out how the hell I was to get to the VPAPU Surprise Party which was Mandatory and the other probationary members were working full-time and giving it their hardest to prepare for. I am truely sorry Jerwyn of COM1-1, Sai (HS Rachelle Hererra's ComSci classmate), Kuya Carlo and Ate Ruan, Roi, and the rest of the other probationary members of VPAPU.
That I couldn't attend.
The Original plan was that I would make "pahabol" and rush to the party. But I had no idea where it was in "Windward" and "Windward" is a very big and perhaps confusing place to go to with lots of "dangerous people" at night. At this party I was to host a game of "The Weakest Link" for the five officers celebrating, two of which celebrating their Debut. Then after an overnight stay, I would be back in La Salle Saturday morning at 6 o'clock so my mom can pick me up for "Haggard Weekend'er - Phase III: The Wedding".
So what happened? Dorm neighbors invited me to join them to eat at good ol' Brejanah's instead and I joined them. Kurt and the Twins Davies and Paul. It felt good to be with them and have someone to talk about. I dropped all the sentimental stuff I had in my head about the Recollection just hours before that and went ahead with talking about Kurt's continued problems of loving a high school friend of mine. Lance and Joel where at Robinsons. Lance was there on a "date" (with quotation marks according to Kurt) with that one 3rd Year High School "Golda-like" girl he met recently. Joel there for obvious reasons. Cash for Lance. How mean.
While the three "Taga-Kuwait", Brian (HS batchmate Veejay's ComSci classmate) the Serious, Basil the Loud, and Karl the Nasal where at SM Bacoor.
We returned to the dorms eventually and watched a little bit of Television while I started to pack up. My mom, Uncle, and driver arrived and soon I was home....
THE SPIRITUAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I enjoyed it. My spiritual aura improved and I really felt this Recollection. It reminded me again and again of how amazing my classmates are. I thanked God over and over again and prayed he bless our class. I felt refreshed by this Recollection. If Dorm Life takes me away from the problems at home with relatives. Then [Charles Huang Conference Center] took me away from the pressures at DLSU-D with Organizations. This Recollection was thee breather I needed.
TITLE IN REVIEW: "At the edge of the world." is how it felt being up on [Charles Huang] which was on the side of the forests down the mountain ridge. you can see lake taal and taal volcano in the distance and fog and mist below. clouds were also low and it felt like you were away from it all at some invisible point in the sky observing down below. it felt like looking over "the edge of the world".
Thursday, September 12, 2002
Our Recollection begins in 2 hours!
I don't know how it's going to be like. I've armed myself last night with things needed for the Recollection. The only thing I ask to keep as a "luxury item" is my Camera. They can confiscate my Cellphone and my bag of snacks, but just don't take my camera! I need that camera! I need to reflect knowing I'm secure with a camera.
Anyways. It's exciting right now. What sucks is that this event is just two days and only one night. But I'll make the best of it and enjoy it. VPAPU gave their "Good luck" to me last night from the meeting we all had inside the DLSU-D Chapel. Also, stories of a ghost in [Charles Huang] continue to swirl around. Joel called via cellphone and his room is on the upper levels of [Charles Huang] and not in the Underground.
According to my surveys and constant talk with some people... I've been able to pull out the following. Room 310 is haunted (upper levels, most likely for the girls). Room 5 is the "deepest of the dungeon" and probably haunted (underground on the mountainside i imagine, most likely and perhaps most definantly for the guys).
Other tips and tidbits:
- Don't go to the CR alone.
- You'll always feel weird when alone.
- A weird knocking sound sometimes.
- A slight little breeze can blast a heavy door closed or open.
On the brighter side which is the purpose of this trip anyway:
- Reflect on the sessions...
- Take Pictures!!!
- Eat eat and Eat food. Lots of it!
- Buy gifts!
- Enjoy the Scenery.
- Set foot in Batangas.
- Enjoy the whole thing.
Here I go now... [Charles Huang] here I come!!
I don't know how it's going to be like. I've armed myself last night with things needed for the Recollection. The only thing I ask to keep as a "luxury item" is my Camera. They can confiscate my Cellphone and my bag of snacks, but just don't take my camera! I need that camera! I need to reflect knowing I'm secure with a camera.
Anyways. It's exciting right now. What sucks is that this event is just two days and only one night. But I'll make the best of it and enjoy it. VPAPU gave their "Good luck" to me last night from the meeting we all had inside the DLSU-D Chapel. Also, stories of a ghost in [Charles Huang] continue to swirl around. Joel called via cellphone and his room is on the upper levels of [Charles Huang] and not in the Underground.
According to my surveys and constant talk with some people... I've been able to pull out the following. Room 310 is haunted (upper levels, most likely for the girls). Room 5 is the "deepest of the dungeon" and probably haunted (underground on the mountainside i imagine, most likely and perhaps most definantly for the guys).
Other tips and tidbits:
- Don't go to the CR alone.
- You'll always feel weird when alone.
- A weird knocking sound sometimes.
- A slight little breeze can blast a heavy door closed or open.
On the brighter side which is the purpose of this trip anyway:
- Reflect on the sessions...
- Take Pictures!!!
- Eat eat and Eat food. Lots of it!
- Buy gifts!
- Enjoy the Scenery.
- Set foot in Batangas.
- Enjoy the whole thing.
Here I go now... [Charles Huang] here I come!!
One Last Article I found Interesting relating to 9/11
World Marks Sept. 11 Attacks
Wed Sep 11,12:02 PM ET
By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer
LONDON (AP) - From a dusty embassy compound in Afghanistan ( news - web sites) to London's cathedrals and mosques, millions around the world gathered Wednesday to remember those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks and to offer prayers for peace and tolerance.
At London's St. Paul's Cathedral, 3,000 white rose petals fluttered down from the dome — one for each victim who died last Sept. 11.
A cellist played a Bach suite and the congregation of 2,000 remained silent as the petals fell. Moments earlier, they joined people around the world in observing a moment of silence at the moment the first hijacked jet struck the World Trade Center last year.
Religious leaders condemned the attacks
"No situation of hurt, no philosophy or religion can ever justify such a grave offense on human life and dignity," Pope John Paul ( news - web sites) II said at his weekly audience at the Vatican ( news - web sites). But he called on the world to heal injustices that cause explosive hatreds.
At London Central Mosque, Muslim leaders offered Quranic prayers for peace, justice and tolerance.
Security was heightened at U.S. facilities and other locations around the world. The United States had warned the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations that al-Qaida may be planning truck bombings to mark the anniversary, but the day passed with no attacks reported in Asia.
Not all saw the day as a time to mourn.
In Iraq, which the United States has threatened to attack for allegedly developing weapons of mass destruction, the state-owned Al-Iktisadi newspaper covered its front page Wednesday with a photograph of a burning World Trade Center Tower and a two-word headline in red: "God's punishment."
"Events like Sept. 11 are sad but it is an opportunity for the American people to feel what bombing could do to nations," said Ali Ahmed, a 47-year-old who owns a Baghdad stationery shop.
But around the world, it was a day of simple, heartfelt gestures. In Sydney, Australia, thousands of motorists turned on their headlights at 8:46 a.m. as a mark of respect for those who died.
Cities around the globe paused for moments of silence, while candles were lighted and flowers laid outside U.S. embassies from Copenhagen to Moscow to Manila.
In Paris, two powerful beams of light were projected into the sky Tuesday to honor the memory of the victims — a project to be repeated Wednesday night. In Pisa, Italy, a white banner placed by the Leaning Tower read: "From the tower to the towers. Sept. 11, 2002. Memory, solidarity and peace."
Beginning with choirs in New Zealand and Japan, 180 singing groups in 20 time zones began a "Rolling Requiem," singing Mozart's masterpiece. The requiem rang out at the National Theater in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and was played by the Israeli Chamber Orchestra in Tel Aviv.
Political leaders around the world expressed their sorrow and solidarity.
"France knows what it owes America," French President Jacques Chirac told a ceremony at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Paris. "The French people stand with all their hearts at the side of the American people."
Russian President Vladimir Putin ( news - web sites) phoned President Bush ( news - web sites) to express his condolences, telling him: "In Russia, they say that time cures, but we cannot forget. We must not forget."
In the Middle East, Palestinian and Israeli leaders condemned the attacks — but disagreed about their significance.
At a commemoration ceremony in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ( news - web sites) included Yasser Arafat ( news - web sites)'s Palestinian Authority ( news - web sites) among sponsors of terrorism that "are all inseparable parts of the same axis of evil that threatens the peace and stability in every place in the world."
Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat accused Sharon of "kidnapping" Sept. 11 and using it as a pretext for cracking down on the Palestinians.
In Afghanistan, a country battered and transformed by the events of Sept. 11, soldiers and diplomats unveiled the site where a piece of the World Trade Center was buried under the flagpole at the U.S. Embassy, as a bugler played taps and the Stars and Stripes was lowered to half staff.
A steel-gray marble headstone marked the resting place of the remains brought from the ruined towers by a Marine from New York. Inscribed on it: "We serve because they cannot."
"My fear is that people will start to take things for granted, forget about it. "That some kind of amnesia starts to set in," said Lt. Kyle Aldrich, a 27-year-old New Yorker who had worked on Wall Street and joined the Marines after losing friends in the attacks.
At the U.S. Navy ( news - web sites) Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Marines held their own small ceremony. At the prison camp nearby, it was just another day behind bars for the 598 men from 43 nations suspected of links to al-Qaida or the Taliban. The detainees have no calendars and were not being told it was Sept. 11.
Protesters gathered, too.
In Bangkok, about 70 people including Thai monks and children held a peaceful protest outside the U.S. Embassy against U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and a possible attack on Iraq.
In the Philippine capital, Manila, supporters and opponents of the U.S. global war on terror held separate rallies to express sympathy for victims of last year's terrorist attacks.
Fear of a new terrorist attack overshadowed some memorials. Citing "credible and specific" threats, some U.S. embassies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East were closed, and U.S. military bases and embassies in Europe enforced tightened security.
Authorities in Turkey were told that militants linked to al-Qaida might be planning poison gas attacks. In Germany, police searched a Hamburg Islamic center after a tip that an Egyptian man staying at a guesthouse there was planning an explosives attack. Police said they found no evidence of terrorist activities.
But the threats often paled before the need to gather in remembrance.
"I spent a year studying in the U.S. — and it's not someone else's problem," said Megumi Hirokawa, an 18-year-old college student who attended a small, quiet ceremony outside the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
Speakers in Nairobi recalled the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania during their memorial. Those blasts killed 231 people — including 12 Americans — and wounded more than 5,000.
"Kenya was the victim of a terror attack," said Health Minister Sam Ongeri. "Kenyans can sympathize with the victims of Sept. 11."
A ceremony was held at the airport of the tiny town of Gander on Newfoundland island, a facility that became a symbol of Canada's assistance to a neighbor in need. When the United States closed off its airspace following the attacks, Canada immediately gave permission for diverted flights to land at its airports.
After the attacks, 38 planes landed at the Gander airport near the country's easternmost point, and almost 7,000 travelers stayed for days in the remote region's towns.
On Wednesday, passengers and air crew who had been stranded there returned to say thank you, joined by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci.
"Out of this horror came for me the realization that no matter how much evil there is in the world, there are people who are great and wonderful and that evil will never win out," said Nicholas Dobi, a Continental Airlines pilot.
World Marks Sept. 11 Attacks
Wed Sep 11,12:02 PM ET
By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer
LONDON (AP) - From a dusty embassy compound in Afghanistan ( news - web sites) to London's cathedrals and mosques, millions around the world gathered Wednesday to remember those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks and to offer prayers for peace and tolerance.
At London's St. Paul's Cathedral, 3,000 white rose petals fluttered down from the dome — one for each victim who died last Sept. 11.
A cellist played a Bach suite and the congregation of 2,000 remained silent as the petals fell. Moments earlier, they joined people around the world in observing a moment of silence at the moment the first hijacked jet struck the World Trade Center last year.
Religious leaders condemned the attacks
"No situation of hurt, no philosophy or religion can ever justify such a grave offense on human life and dignity," Pope John Paul ( news - web sites) II said at his weekly audience at the Vatican ( news - web sites). But he called on the world to heal injustices that cause explosive hatreds.
At London Central Mosque, Muslim leaders offered Quranic prayers for peace, justice and tolerance.
Security was heightened at U.S. facilities and other locations around the world. The United States had warned the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations that al-Qaida may be planning truck bombings to mark the anniversary, but the day passed with no attacks reported in Asia.
Not all saw the day as a time to mourn.
In Iraq, which the United States has threatened to attack for allegedly developing weapons of mass destruction, the state-owned Al-Iktisadi newspaper covered its front page Wednesday with a photograph of a burning World Trade Center Tower and a two-word headline in red: "God's punishment."
"Events like Sept. 11 are sad but it is an opportunity for the American people to feel what bombing could do to nations," said Ali Ahmed, a 47-year-old who owns a Baghdad stationery shop.
But around the world, it was a day of simple, heartfelt gestures. In Sydney, Australia, thousands of motorists turned on their headlights at 8:46 a.m. as a mark of respect for those who died.
Cities around the globe paused for moments of silence, while candles were lighted and flowers laid outside U.S. embassies from Copenhagen to Moscow to Manila.
In Paris, two powerful beams of light were projected into the sky Tuesday to honor the memory of the victims — a project to be repeated Wednesday night. In Pisa, Italy, a white banner placed by the Leaning Tower read: "From the tower to the towers. Sept. 11, 2002. Memory, solidarity and peace."
Beginning with choirs in New Zealand and Japan, 180 singing groups in 20 time zones began a "Rolling Requiem," singing Mozart's masterpiece. The requiem rang out at the National Theater in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and was played by the Israeli Chamber Orchestra in Tel Aviv.
Political leaders around the world expressed their sorrow and solidarity.
"France knows what it owes America," French President Jacques Chirac told a ceremony at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Paris. "The French people stand with all their hearts at the side of the American people."
Russian President Vladimir Putin ( news - web sites) phoned President Bush ( news - web sites) to express his condolences, telling him: "In Russia, they say that time cures, but we cannot forget. We must not forget."
In the Middle East, Palestinian and Israeli leaders condemned the attacks — but disagreed about their significance.
At a commemoration ceremony in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ( news - web sites) included Yasser Arafat ( news - web sites)'s Palestinian Authority ( news - web sites) among sponsors of terrorism that "are all inseparable parts of the same axis of evil that threatens the peace and stability in every place in the world."
Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat accused Sharon of "kidnapping" Sept. 11 and using it as a pretext for cracking down on the Palestinians.
In Afghanistan, a country battered and transformed by the events of Sept. 11, soldiers and diplomats unveiled the site where a piece of the World Trade Center was buried under the flagpole at the U.S. Embassy, as a bugler played taps and the Stars and Stripes was lowered to half staff.
A steel-gray marble headstone marked the resting place of the remains brought from the ruined towers by a Marine from New York. Inscribed on it: "We serve because they cannot."
"My fear is that people will start to take things for granted, forget about it. "That some kind of amnesia starts to set in," said Lt. Kyle Aldrich, a 27-year-old New Yorker who had worked on Wall Street and joined the Marines after losing friends in the attacks.
At the U.S. Navy ( news - web sites) Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Marines held their own small ceremony. At the prison camp nearby, it was just another day behind bars for the 598 men from 43 nations suspected of links to al-Qaida or the Taliban. The detainees have no calendars and were not being told it was Sept. 11.
Protesters gathered, too.
In Bangkok, about 70 people including Thai monks and children held a peaceful protest outside the U.S. Embassy against U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and a possible attack on Iraq.
In the Philippine capital, Manila, supporters and opponents of the U.S. global war on terror held separate rallies to express sympathy for victims of last year's terrorist attacks.
Fear of a new terrorist attack overshadowed some memorials. Citing "credible and specific" threats, some U.S. embassies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East were closed, and U.S. military bases and embassies in Europe enforced tightened security.
Authorities in Turkey were told that militants linked to al-Qaida might be planning poison gas attacks. In Germany, police searched a Hamburg Islamic center after a tip that an Egyptian man staying at a guesthouse there was planning an explosives attack. Police said they found no evidence of terrorist activities.
But the threats often paled before the need to gather in remembrance.
"I spent a year studying in the U.S. — and it's not someone else's problem," said Megumi Hirokawa, an 18-year-old college student who attended a small, quiet ceremony outside the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
Speakers in Nairobi recalled the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania during their memorial. Those blasts killed 231 people — including 12 Americans — and wounded more than 5,000.
"Kenya was the victim of a terror attack," said Health Minister Sam Ongeri. "Kenyans can sympathize with the victims of Sept. 11."
A ceremony was held at the airport of the tiny town of Gander on Newfoundland island, a facility that became a symbol of Canada's assistance to a neighbor in need. When the United States closed off its airspace following the attacks, Canada immediately gave permission for diverted flights to land at its airports.
After the attacks, 38 planes landed at the Gander airport near the country's easternmost point, and almost 7,000 travelers stayed for days in the remote region's towns.
On Wednesday, passengers and air crew who had been stranded there returned to say thank you, joined by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci.
"Out of this horror came for me the realization that no matter how much evil there is in the world, there are people who are great and wonderful and that evil will never win out," said Nicholas Dobi, a Continental Airlines pilot.
Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Drifting towards the JOU1-1 Recollection
It's Wednesday and it's 3:00pm and it can't get anymore centered than this. It's the middle of the week and the middle of an ordinary Working School day. I've just finished up with the Heraldo Filipino, and yes- I can show my face there now that I'm neutral with the late articles. I've met with HF: Kay and HF: Joanna as well as other HF friends. I left after the meeting wasn't held. Proofreading is tonight. But I have to attend a Prod. Meeting for the PAG Recital later at 5 o'clock pm.
I'm at ERS by myself. My 2nd time in here. I surfed during the 12pm batch and then I proceeded to eat and spend my time at HF until 3pm. I'm surfing with the 3pm batch and hopefully the 4pm batch. I was supposed to meet with my classmates Jhen and Kuya Rheyan, but I didn't see them and the slots were running out. I logged in and got to surf here at good ol' PC#26 and found out Jhen and Kuya Rheyan just arrived. I'll join them at 4pm.
Tomorrow is the last day of the normal week. On Thursday and Friday it's our Recollection to [Charles Huang] at the Cavite-Batangas border in Tagaytay. Photo Shooting and Cast Shots for the "BroadJourn Website" will be done. I've proposed to my classmates that each Semester is designed to fit like that of a TV Show. For example, the first sem is "Season 1" and the second sem is "Season 2", and the BroadJourn Summer Classes next April will be "Season 3", etc.
The proposal is working out so far.
Joel is now on his way to [Charles Huang] with his Political Science blockmates. The two freshmen year sections of PolSci 1-1 and 1-2 are neatly packed in two buses I bet. Their Reco seems to be cut within the week though. Our Recollection is supposed to be with one of the other AB Com first year sections. COM1-1 and COM1-3 went last week, together, and to [Charles Huang]. COM1-2 is supposed to be with JOU1-1 yet they're not listed in the church with us. We are with "HRT"... and when I asked Heraldomates, they said there's no such thing as HRT and it's probably HRM.
Sucks. I wanted to go to the Recollection with another CLA first year, specifically AB Com.
Two sections per Recollection. This mysterious "HRT" is with us. A ghost haunts the halls of [Charles Huang] as I've surveyed around. A ghost that haunts "Room 310" says one friend. Another says "there's a knocking sound" there. And what makes it all even more exciting is that on our night of sleeping there... is the transition into the Midnight of Friday the 13th.
I'm excited.
It's Wednesday and it's 3:00pm and it can't get anymore centered than this. It's the middle of the week and the middle of an ordinary Working School day. I've just finished up with the Heraldo Filipino, and yes- I can show my face there now that I'm neutral with the late articles. I've met with HF: Kay and HF: Joanna as well as other HF friends. I left after the meeting wasn't held. Proofreading is tonight. But I have to attend a Prod. Meeting for the PAG Recital later at 5 o'clock pm.
I'm at ERS by myself. My 2nd time in here. I surfed during the 12pm batch and then I proceeded to eat and spend my time at HF until 3pm. I'm surfing with the 3pm batch and hopefully the 4pm batch. I was supposed to meet with my classmates Jhen and Kuya Rheyan, but I didn't see them and the slots were running out. I logged in and got to surf here at good ol' PC#26 and found out Jhen and Kuya Rheyan just arrived. I'll join them at 4pm.
Tomorrow is the last day of the normal week. On Thursday and Friday it's our Recollection to [Charles Huang] at the Cavite-Batangas border in Tagaytay. Photo Shooting and Cast Shots for the "BroadJourn Website" will be done. I've proposed to my classmates that each Semester is designed to fit like that of a TV Show. For example, the first sem is "Season 1" and the second sem is "Season 2", and the BroadJourn Summer Classes next April will be "Season 3", etc.
The proposal is working out so far.
Joel is now on his way to [Charles Huang] with his Political Science blockmates. The two freshmen year sections of PolSci 1-1 and 1-2 are neatly packed in two buses I bet. Their Reco seems to be cut within the week though. Our Recollection is supposed to be with one of the other AB Com first year sections. COM1-1 and COM1-3 went last week, together, and to [Charles Huang]. COM1-2 is supposed to be with JOU1-1 yet they're not listed in the church with us. We are with "HRT"... and when I asked Heraldomates, they said there's no such thing as HRT and it's probably HRM.
Sucks. I wanted to go to the Recollection with another CLA first year, specifically AB Com.
Two sections per Recollection. This mysterious "HRT" is with us. A ghost haunts the halls of [Charles Huang] as I've surveyed around. A ghost that haunts "Room 310" says one friend. Another says "there's a knocking sound" there. And what makes it all even more exciting is that on our night of sleeping there... is the transition into the Midnight of Friday the 13th.
I'm excited.
An Explosion of Metal this day One Year Ago
I'm wearing a black pin with the American Flag on it. It's attached to my ID strap and it's in memory this week for the tragic events of last year. In the lives that were lost I pray today for. In the lives that were touched by this event, I pray for them to. It's the one year anniversary of that disaster. That attack on America...
It feels weird doing this in the Philippines. The American Patriotic side of me has never given up. When I arrived in the Philippines I was fully patriotic and supporting the American dream. Whether it was dirty deep down those teenage American lifestyles towards the bright side with the Stateside' rich history of hard work and excellence. I didn't care. I was born and raised in the States and learned to admire that culture.
If in 1998 I was blind of how unique and beautiful the Philippine culture was, then basically now I've opened up. I'm proud to have these two cultures as a part of me. So don't get any ideas that I'm going all American here. That's impossible. I'm Filipino by blood! I'm only going Filipino-American here. And If a tragedy struck the Philippines while I was in the states, I would wear a Pin of the Philippine Flag proudly too in remembrance.
I witnessed history in the making. I mean we all did. I remember that night I was with Bryan on the way home. It was before 9 o'clock in the evening. I arrived home, turned on the TV in my room, and saw an airplane had struck the first tower. At first I thought it was some tragic accident. But the truth was it wasn't. When the 2nd one crashed, the world was shocked and media speculation was that these crashes are Terrorist Attacks.
Then the 3rd crashed...
And then the 4th...
In the first victims of a 21st century war...
The 18 Filipinos involved...
The 3,000 people that perished in the flames...
We remember you today.
I'm wearing a black pin with the American Flag on it. It's attached to my ID strap and it's in memory this week for the tragic events of last year. In the lives that were lost I pray today for. In the lives that were touched by this event, I pray for them to. It's the one year anniversary of that disaster. That attack on America...
It feels weird doing this in the Philippines. The American Patriotic side of me has never given up. When I arrived in the Philippines I was fully patriotic and supporting the American dream. Whether it was dirty deep down those teenage American lifestyles towards the bright side with the Stateside' rich history of hard work and excellence. I didn't care. I was born and raised in the States and learned to admire that culture.
If in 1998 I was blind of how unique and beautiful the Philippine culture was, then basically now I've opened up. I'm proud to have these two cultures as a part of me. So don't get any ideas that I'm going all American here. That's impossible. I'm Filipino by blood! I'm only going Filipino-American here. And If a tragedy struck the Philippines while I was in the states, I would wear a Pin of the Philippine Flag proudly too in remembrance.
I witnessed history in the making. I mean we all did. I remember that night I was with Bryan on the way home. It was before 9 o'clock in the evening. I arrived home, turned on the TV in my room, and saw an airplane had struck the first tower. At first I thought it was some tragic accident. But the truth was it wasn't. When the 2nd one crashed, the world was shocked and media speculation was that these crashes are Terrorist Attacks.
Then the 3rd crashed...
And then the 4th...
In the first victims of a 21st century war...
The 18 Filipinos involved...
The 3,000 people that perished in the flames...
We remember you today.
Monday, September 09, 2002
The Doormat Making Episode
We travelled once again to Barangay Bautista for Week #3. This time around I got some pictures taken. I got to meet my survey family more, Ate Rose and her 2 year old son Bryan. Basically it was laid back and more on conversation of their lives lately. Ate Rose, among the many other women down that eskinita make Doormats for a living. While their husbands are out working at some Construction Site or at Makro down the Highway, these ladies take care of their children and make door mats.
They are very nice indeed. It's not that easy, but the way they do it is interesting. And like the last visit, it was entering this different world.
We returned back to DLSU-D and so begins another week. Recollection on Thursday, and last minute things to print out for Tuesday and Wednesday.
NOW: I'm at ERS with Kuya Rheyan, Ate Angge, Erian, and Upper. It's Upper's first time surfing here at ERS so I'm kind of guiding her. Hello classmates!
We travelled once again to Barangay Bautista for Week #3. This time around I got some pictures taken. I got to meet my survey family more, Ate Rose and her 2 year old son Bryan. Basically it was laid back and more on conversation of their lives lately. Ate Rose, among the many other women down that eskinita make Doormats for a living. While their husbands are out working at some Construction Site or at Makro down the Highway, these ladies take care of their children and make door mats.
They are very nice indeed. It's not that easy, but the way they do it is interesting. And like the last visit, it was entering this different world.
We returned back to DLSU-D and so begins another week. Recollection on Thursday, and last minute things to print out for Tuesday and Wednesday.
NOW: I'm at ERS with Kuya Rheyan, Ate Angge, Erian, and Upper. It's Upper's first time surfing here at ERS so I'm kind of guiding her. Hello classmates!
THE BUMPY ROAD TO FRIDAY THE 13TH
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #14
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
PLAY MUSIC: "In My Place" by Coldplay
This incoming week is going to be heck of a wild one. Think about Senior Year High School running in reverse except a little more action and less conversation. My first Recollection in College takes place this Thursday and eerie Friday the 13th at Charles Huang in Batangas.
Last Friday after our last class of the week, a few of my classmates and I went to ERS to log in and surf. But it was too early. We ended up in the Aklatan Emilio Aguinaldo (our Library structured like that of Aguinaldo Shrine) looking through the Anting-Anting exhibit. We signed in the log book after looking at the Installation they had in the Library. They had another Installation in the Museo so we proceeded there.
After looking at both Installations and after I got a pamplet explaining the creative artists (almost all of them are Graduates of Fine Arts at UP-Diliman), I also read an incantation for "Good Luck". I lost this pamplet so I can't copy those five latin words down for this blog.
I didn't feel any good luck after saying it. Although I believe what I said did coincide with events up until Friday midnight. Anyways, we arrived at ERS and walked to the end of the already expanding line. After waiting for about three minutes, the power went out. It was a brownout and I was waiting for a back-up generator to revive the darkened ERS within a few seconds.
Nothing happened.
So there. People slowly left and my classmates and I sat on the chairs. We had nothing else to do for we had completed a whole week of checking papers and writing down new lectures. Jhen started to tell us a Ghost story after she was "sparked" by my own story telling of the "Girl, Old Lady, and the CR" of MAH which I passed to them from a my dorm mates during the week of the Midterms.
Soon it erupted into us forming this crooked circle listening to the speaker. In the darkness of a failing Air Conditioned room, and the cloudyness and light rain of outside... we resumed story after story of close experiences with the unknown.
I for one, haven't had a close experience. I don't want to right now, I want to when I feel like I'm ready to. Their stories did get us in this mood of fear, shock, and even at times incredible laughter. We bothered nearby students also sitting back. We got some laughing too which exposed them to be listening to us.
It ended when one of my classmates said to the group that our Recollection night includes the Midnight of Friday the 13th. She shrieked and jumped up and her chair flew back. It was an instantaneous reaction in the group and everyone skipped a beat. Not because of the "Friday the 13th" thing, but because her reaction in the silence of the hall provoked everyone's senstivity to any suprise action. Like she saw a ghost or something. She ran down the stairs which left Ate Angge and myself wondering "what's with her?".
That comes around again to this incoming week. It concludes with four possible events crashing into each other. The Recollection of my class on Thursday and Friday. The VPAPU Birthday Bash on Friday night. My cousin's wedding where I was supposed to be an "Abay" but instead was listed in their invitation as "Groomsman". What the heck?! Groomsman?! Best man?! I barely know this cousin of mine. Geez... uh... uh.... uhhhh.....
And the fourth event is the Linggo ng Kasaysayan where my class JOU1-1 has been requested to perform. I have a minor role at the conclusion as General MacArthur.
I had an argument with my mom about how I'm getting from Point A to Point B within 30 minutes. The scheduling is so tight and so crazy next weekend that I have no idea what can happen if I fail one of those events. The Recollection doesn't exactly crash, but it's something that shapes the end of the week. It's required. The VPAPU Birthday Bash on Friday is long-planned, and is a surprise to the celebrants which include a guy celebrating his 21st Birthday and a girl celebrating her 18th Birthday... which blows up into the words DOUBLE DEBUT. It's a must for Probationary members to see VPAPU with it's finest line of past officers and batches.
The Linggo ng Kasaysayan is something I'm hoping to get postponed. It's a bit too soon especially with only three days (Monday to Wednesday) to prepare for it. Again, Thursday and Friday is our Recollection.
Then my Cousin's wedding next Saturday. I thought I would work with the candles, cut some ribbons, or something like that... but in the invitation I'm the only Groomsman. Wait, isn't there always one Groomsman? There's only one Groomsman listed there. That Groomsman is George Edward Putong without the hyphen. This is the first time I've been selected to do something at someone's wedding and already I'm the Groomsman. I barely know this cousin. Dude, where's his best friend?! How did I become the Groomsman?! The Groomsman! The groomsman? Groomsman Groomsman Groomsman.
I'll just go there wearing the proper Modif or whatever classmate Joy called it. Modif? I mean, barong with skyblue camisachino inside.
Monday to Wednesday are plain old days I guess. Wait. Not quite.
On Monday we'll be returning to Barangay Bautista for ROUND 2 of Surveying. I'm going to make use of my camera as one of the two professors, er guides, er advisers, er coordinator ladies insisted on documentation. When she mentioned "documentation", my heart jumped. I thought cameras are not allowed. Well if they are... and If I'm meeting with these interesting and different people... then by all means here I come with flip, click, and snap.
On Tuesday I'll be rejoining my class in Sining ng Kommunikasyon to pay for my scheduled absence next Saturday (due to the Groomsman Confusion ^_~) and observe my classmates with their Oral Examination about "News Casting". Delicious. Newscasting Speech in Tagalog. I want to work on this one. It's the first time something with our Course shows up in a regular subject. Delicious indeed.
On Wednesday I'm going RED, WHITE, and BLUE as I buy a US Flag pin from SBC and wear it on my ID strap. It's all in the memory of 9/11.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #14
NOTE: this is a post that is made prior to moving back to the dorm and is usually posted on sunday nights.
PLAY MUSIC: "In My Place" by Coldplay
This incoming week is going to be heck of a wild one. Think about Senior Year High School running in reverse except a little more action and less conversation. My first Recollection in College takes place this Thursday and eerie Friday the 13th at Charles Huang in Batangas.
Last Friday after our last class of the week, a few of my classmates and I went to ERS to log in and surf. But it was too early. We ended up in the Aklatan Emilio Aguinaldo (our Library structured like that of Aguinaldo Shrine) looking through the Anting-Anting exhibit. We signed in the log book after looking at the Installation they had in the Library. They had another Installation in the Museo so we proceeded there.
After looking at both Installations and after I got a pamplet explaining the creative artists (almost all of them are Graduates of Fine Arts at UP-Diliman), I also read an incantation for "Good Luck". I lost this pamplet so I can't copy those five latin words down for this blog.
I didn't feel any good luck after saying it. Although I believe what I said did coincide with events up until Friday midnight. Anyways, we arrived at ERS and walked to the end of the already expanding line. After waiting for about three minutes, the power went out. It was a brownout and I was waiting for a back-up generator to revive the darkened ERS within a few seconds.
Nothing happened.
So there. People slowly left and my classmates and I sat on the chairs. We had nothing else to do for we had completed a whole week of checking papers and writing down new lectures. Jhen started to tell us a Ghost story after she was "sparked" by my own story telling of the "Girl, Old Lady, and the CR" of MAH which I passed to them from a my dorm mates during the week of the Midterms.
Soon it erupted into us forming this crooked circle listening to the speaker. In the darkness of a failing Air Conditioned room, and the cloudyness and light rain of outside... we resumed story after story of close experiences with the unknown.
I for one, haven't had a close experience. I don't want to right now, I want to when I feel like I'm ready to. Their stories did get us in this mood of fear, shock, and even at times incredible laughter. We bothered nearby students also sitting back. We got some laughing too which exposed them to be listening to us.
It ended when one of my classmates said to the group that our Recollection night includes the Midnight of Friday the 13th. She shrieked and jumped up and her chair flew back. It was an instantaneous reaction in the group and everyone skipped a beat. Not because of the "Friday the 13th" thing, but because her reaction in the silence of the hall provoked everyone's senstivity to any suprise action. Like she saw a ghost or something. She ran down the stairs which left Ate Angge and myself wondering "what's with her?".
That comes around again to this incoming week. It concludes with four possible events crashing into each other. The Recollection of my class on Thursday and Friday. The VPAPU Birthday Bash on Friday night. My cousin's wedding where I was supposed to be an "Abay" but instead was listed in their invitation as "Groomsman". What the heck?! Groomsman?! Best man?! I barely know this cousin of mine. Geez... uh... uh.... uhhhh.....
And the fourth event is the Linggo ng Kasaysayan where my class JOU1-1 has been requested to perform. I have a minor role at the conclusion as General MacArthur.
I had an argument with my mom about how I'm getting from Point A to Point B within 30 minutes. The scheduling is so tight and so crazy next weekend that I have no idea what can happen if I fail one of those events. The Recollection doesn't exactly crash, but it's something that shapes the end of the week. It's required. The VPAPU Birthday Bash on Friday is long-planned, and is a surprise to the celebrants which include a guy celebrating his 21st Birthday and a girl celebrating her 18th Birthday... which blows up into the words DOUBLE DEBUT. It's a must for Probationary members to see VPAPU with it's finest line of past officers and batches.
The Linggo ng Kasaysayan is something I'm hoping to get postponed. It's a bit too soon especially with only three days (Monday to Wednesday) to prepare for it. Again, Thursday and Friday is our Recollection.
Then my Cousin's wedding next Saturday. I thought I would work with the candles, cut some ribbons, or something like that... but in the invitation I'm the only Groomsman. Wait, isn't there always one Groomsman? There's only one Groomsman listed there. That Groomsman is George Edward Putong without the hyphen. This is the first time I've been selected to do something at someone's wedding and already I'm the Groomsman. I barely know this cousin. Dude, where's his best friend?! How did I become the Groomsman?! The Groomsman! The groomsman? Groomsman Groomsman Groomsman.
I'll just go there wearing the proper Modif or whatever classmate Joy called it. Modif? I mean, barong with skyblue camisachino inside.
Monday to Wednesday are plain old days I guess. Wait. Not quite.
On Monday we'll be returning to Barangay Bautista for ROUND 2 of Surveying. I'm going to make use of my camera as one of the two professors, er guides, er advisers, er coordinator ladies insisted on documentation. When she mentioned "documentation", my heart jumped. I thought cameras are not allowed. Well if they are... and If I'm meeting with these interesting and different people... then by all means here I come with flip, click, and snap.
On Tuesday I'll be rejoining my class in Sining ng Kommunikasyon to pay for my scheduled absence next Saturday (due to the Groomsman Confusion ^_~) and observe my classmates with their Oral Examination about "News Casting". Delicious. Newscasting Speech in Tagalog. I want to work on this one. It's the first time something with our Course shows up in a regular subject. Delicious indeed.
On Wednesday I'm going RED, WHITE, and BLUE as I buy a US Flag pin from SBC and wear it on my ID strap. It's all in the memory of 9/11.
Saturday, September 07, 2002
THE DRAGONFLY STORM
The Damage Report - Week #13
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
Can these little creatures drown? Where do they go when it rains? I mean, La Salle Dasmariñas was swarmed by these harmless flying creatures. Well, maybe not swarmed... but they were flying all over Lake Park, at the end of the covered walk towards PLS, at the Stalls and Discipline Office, even at the Rotonda.
Where do they go when it rains?
This past week I've had extra time to log into my blog. So things are pretty much updated. Most of the week was based on checking the Midterms and computing our scores and results. Other then that, it was starting new lessons for the Final Term.
Here are some quick highlights. Last Monday our class went on-location for NSTP-CWTSP to Barangay Bautista, where we got to meet for the first time with some people from Smokey Mountain and Tondo for our Survey mission. On Tuesday, initial Midterm results were released from my subjects on that day. On Wednesday, what was supposed to be just "KTS 5" (Kantahan, Tugtugan, at Sayawan) boasted a day filled with school-wide activities. Yet again, most of the student population were un-aware due to the distribution and shape of our campus... yet, I was caught between deciding on which Organization to support during an Org vs. Org Fun Games at the Plaza after Lunch Period. ROTC, PAG UNITED, and HF were the three Organizations going at it. PAG and ROTC of course would dominate. I was standing among the PAG (being VPAPU) when I felt sorry that HF only had half the amount of players as PAG had. PAG was filled with this fun and positive energy that I craved for in these kinds of games. While HF on the other hand, would prefer to write their cheering down with pencil on paper rather than chant something like "Viva Performing Arts!!" ...er "Viva Heraldo!".
I ended up with Heraldo and Heraldo ended up merged with PAG.
PAG UNITED and HF combined beat ROTC. Although the ROTC Men and Women did throw in their very best and did strike us hard a few times. Highlights within this Wednesday Fun Game was that JOU1-1 classmate and Batch Head of the Teatro, Arjay, jumped over an obstacle which fell over sending her crashing to the ground... but she still went at it!
On Thursday and Friday, things settled down back to the ghost stories and things lurking around campus. It freaks me out up to now and I can't stand being by myself inside my dorm room especially at night. Security Guards are spotting them... one involving the DLSU-D Museo and La Bueña Comida which is just 50 meters in front of our very own dorm room door without a wall or fence inbetween. The only things giving our hall a little seclusion are the trees dipping on the shallow Lagoon.
OL 4 D LUV F D
There's really nothing much else to say relating to me this past week. But relating to others, my classmate and friend William has just been selected from the dozens who auditioned to portray "Bartolome" or the main character for the DLSU-wide (not only Dasmariñas) Major Production and Presentation "All For the Love of Thee"!!!!
It was announced on Friday night's General Assembly, which rocked my friend in shock and surprise and even into tears. Our very own classmate, up there among DLSU's highest talents... and just a Freshman too.
I'm included in this Major Production because I'm affiliated with VPAPU, who will work with this production. VPAPU will travel with the talents and the whole production to DLSU-Zobel in December. Counted that I haven't decided to leave the VPAPU by then. (Hopefully not.)
Congratulations to William Eusores. My classmate, my friend, and JOU1-1's Best Actor! ü
The Damage Report - Week #13
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
Can these little creatures drown? Where do they go when it rains? I mean, La Salle Dasmariñas was swarmed by these harmless flying creatures. Well, maybe not swarmed... but they were flying all over Lake Park, at the end of the covered walk towards PLS, at the Stalls and Discipline Office, even at the Rotonda.
Where do they go when it rains?
This past week I've had extra time to log into my blog. So things are pretty much updated. Most of the week was based on checking the Midterms and computing our scores and results. Other then that, it was starting new lessons for the Final Term.
Here are some quick highlights. Last Monday our class went on-location for NSTP-CWTSP to Barangay Bautista, where we got to meet for the first time with some people from Smokey Mountain and Tondo for our Survey mission. On Tuesday, initial Midterm results were released from my subjects on that day. On Wednesday, what was supposed to be just "KTS 5" (Kantahan, Tugtugan, at Sayawan) boasted a day filled with school-wide activities. Yet again, most of the student population were un-aware due to the distribution and shape of our campus... yet, I was caught between deciding on which Organization to support during an Org vs. Org Fun Games at the Plaza after Lunch Period. ROTC, PAG UNITED, and HF were the three Organizations going at it. PAG and ROTC of course would dominate. I was standing among the PAG (being VPAPU) when I felt sorry that HF only had half the amount of players as PAG had. PAG was filled with this fun and positive energy that I craved for in these kinds of games. While HF on the other hand, would prefer to write their cheering down with pencil on paper rather than chant something like "Viva Performing Arts!!" ...er "Viva Heraldo!".
I ended up with Heraldo and Heraldo ended up merged with PAG.
PAG UNITED and HF combined beat ROTC. Although the ROTC Men and Women did throw in their very best and did strike us hard a few times. Highlights within this Wednesday Fun Game was that JOU1-1 classmate and Batch Head of the Teatro, Arjay, jumped over an obstacle which fell over sending her crashing to the ground... but she still went at it!
On Thursday and Friday, things settled down back to the ghost stories and things lurking around campus. It freaks me out up to now and I can't stand being by myself inside my dorm room especially at night. Security Guards are spotting them... one involving the DLSU-D Museo and La Bueña Comida which is just 50 meters in front of our very own dorm room door without a wall or fence inbetween. The only things giving our hall a little seclusion are the trees dipping on the shallow Lagoon.
OL 4 D LUV F D
There's really nothing much else to say relating to me this past week. But relating to others, my classmate and friend William has just been selected from the dozens who auditioned to portray "Bartolome" or the main character for the DLSU-wide (not only Dasmariñas) Major Production and Presentation "All For the Love of Thee"!!!!
It was announced on Friday night's General Assembly, which rocked my friend in shock and surprise and even into tears. Our very own classmate, up there among DLSU's highest talents... and just a Freshman too.
I'm included in this Major Production because I'm affiliated with VPAPU, who will work with this production. VPAPU will travel with the talents and the whole production to DLSU-Zobel in December. Counted that I haven't decided to leave the VPAPU by then. (Hopefully not.)
Congratulations to William Eusores. My classmate, my friend, and JOU1-1's Best Actor! ü