Saturday, February 15, 2003
STANDING BY FOR APPLAUSE
The Damage Report - End of Week #31
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"I'm left spinning in awe and excitement..."
SIXTY-THREE pictures. A record-breaking amount of [4R Glossy w/ Border] taken within the time frame of one week. One week crammed with Media Awareness Days and our visit to ABS-CBN studios.
Last Monday, February 10 2003 - A Tour to Remember
We gathered at PLS around 6 o'clock in the morning. Four sections, COM1-1, COM1-2, COM1-3, and JOU1-1. All first year of AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism. I arrived with the other on-campus dorm mates of JOU1-1. Somehow, we were the first section to get onto a bus. There were only three buses, meaning one section would have to be divided.
I think COM1-1 was the section that was divided. A few of them had to cram onto our bus and sit in the middle aisle. If we knew we would have "guests", we would have set an area for them to sit at.
Anyways, my seatmate on the bus was Eric. Maycee arrived a bit late so she sat in the aisle. On the other side was Jerson and Jhen. Basically, it was a row of five with Maycee in the seat on the aisle.
We set off and listened to the radio on the bus. The TV was off. The weather outside was also morning sunny. We passed by our classmate Mark somewhere in Imus, but we couldn't stop the bus exactly... i don't know why. Our first destination would of course be ABS-CBN Studios in Quezon City.
We arrived in QC around 10 o'clock in the morning. We gathered in front of the [Audience Entrance] of the studios. We were told to wait until they could accept us. Somehow, JOU1-1 ended up on front again. It made me wonder how this was happening. Why were we always looking "so excited" to get inside. But trust me, it's worth it later on (just continue reading).
After waiting for a few more minutes and slowly entering the compound of the several studios, we finally were given ABS-CBN Studio Tour stickers and were told to proceed around a number of studios. We passed by the MTB studio, the TV-Patrol studio, and after going down a flight of stairs we ended up entering the MORNING GIRLS studio.
Quickly we were told to sit in the Audience chairs. Now here's the thing. Since, somehow, we were (JOU1-1) still up front of the long line, we got to sit on the lower seats. Of course, these lower seats are closer to the set and to the celebrities to come by. I didn't realize this until I sat down on the 2nd row and noticed that the camera was just to my eye-level.
We eventually got seated and I observed everything. Every person on the set, I scanned to see what they were doing. Someone would be handling the sound system, another would be working the camera, another would be holding some kind of script. Two or three others would be found writing up the Idiot Boards. And then of course, the Audience Coordinator would be informing us of what to do.
While all of that was happening, "Teysi" was showing on the two TV screens situated on both sides of the set. Patricia Javier was a guest on that show. "Teysi" happens to be the show before "Morning Girls". As everyone still had their eyes up on the screen, no one noticed that Korina Sanchez had already seated herself in her chair. She just walked in quietly and sat down on the chair.
Korina was quiet and she was reviewing some notes. It was still quiet. Suddenly, Kris Aquino walked in. The Audience Coordinator said out loud "Ladies and Gentlemen -- Kris Aquino and Korina Sanchez" and we all began to clap out loud. This shattered the silence and Korina and Kris broke into an off-air conversation. They were talking to each other in English, and talking about what's been happening to them lately.
Kris started to complain about "Teysi" going over-time. Finally "Teysi" went off and no longer than a minute, the Coordinator told us to raise our hands and to clap. We began to clap out loud "ENERGY!!" as they demanded from us. We clapped loud and "Morning Girls" began. They started off with a little bit of talking followed by introducing their audience. "From De La Salle University - Dasmariñas... the First Year AB Com and Broadjourn!".
Kris and Korina spun off into a small conversation about "Broadjourn" and what it was. They also asked why majority are girls up in the audience. ü "Perhaps woman are more meticulous then men."
After Kris and Korina reviewed a series of news and events, they finally began their topic. Guests were Willie, Andrew E, Cito, and William Martinez. The topic of the episode we were witnessing before us was "Bastusan" (rudeness). It was fun to watch and witness all of this happening. They broke into a commercial and we watched them plan their conversations or add in things they'd like to say off-air about the topic.
Eventually the show rolled on and it had to come to an end. The audience sang Kris the "Happy Birthday" song (in advance) and several pictures were taken by classmate Badge. After they got off the set, we slowly disassembled and walked out the back exit and proceeded outside.
We were all starving as we waited for the bus. After taking pictures, the bus came and drove us to a nearby block which had a McDo and HenLin place. We made our way into the fastest-serving McDo I've been to. There are like five people in front of me in line, and you can get your food in two minutes. While in Tanza or back in Waltermart Dasmariñas it would take you five minutes, with just two people in front of you. Cool. (There's a banner hanging out front: "This McDo: Serves you in 60 seconds or less!") I have a picture.
We had our food fast, and now we had no to place to eat. We went next door to Hen Lin across the street and found some COM1-2 in line, and we also found some AB Com Program Council members trying to scramble in dealing with their Freshmen. Ms. Mhasa Sigari was also there.
We spent 10 minutes trying to find a place to eat. We walked down the side of a fast highway to find the buses on a different block. We retreated to our bus and ate fast, all the while I took more pictures.
Moments later we returned to ABS-CBN and went inside. We were divided into three tour groups. I believe, once again, that JOU1-1 was in the front and first group... with some COM1-1 with us. We were first brought to the TV-PATROL studio. It was actually smaller... and like the new tour guide says... "Sets like these look around TEN times larger on TV than what you see here."
I touched the desk of TV Patrol and closed my eyes. Just one moment with the desk! I convinced Maycee to join me and engage in a technique to get the best pictures of these studios. The technique was to stay behind the rest of the tour group, and after we are told to leave... to spend one last minute taking pictures and looking around ourselves.
After TV-Patrol we went to the set of "Teysi" and I got a picture with Maycee and Ms. Sigari there. Next we proceeded to the set of GAME K N B?! It was bigger and it was okay compared to the shockingly smaller TV-PATROL set. We took several pictures. Maycee and I each have a solo picture standing right on the circular centerpiece of the Game K N B set. Awesome!
We went around places in the studio. Eventually we encountered Gretchen Baretto walking down the hall. The best one was having a picture with Mark Logan. He was more "free" than the other artists we saw. What was more cool was visiting the BRAIN of the studios, which was the Editing Facility. Several television screens inside of one room. Room by room, you'd see editing of tv-shows. There's one I saw with Piolo Pascual and some other actress on whatever show they're on... the screen was on pause, and someone was editing the scene.
I had a picture taken next to the ABS-CBN MOBILE NEWS ROOM. I mean, heck, that's our course and that's our primary objective of job occupation right? Broadjourn? Broadcasting + Journalism = Responsible Broadcast Journalism. Ngek ngek ngek... hahaha.
Eventually our tour had to come to an end and it concluded after visiting this new building they constructed. Lots of pictures were taken by the other sections as well. We returned to the bus and I replied to several txt msgs.
It was on this bus ride that a friend of mine admitted her problem and her disrupted feelings. Jezire, thank you for telling me yourself. Our friendship will never be affected in any way by this. I treasure my friends like I treasure my life. I will never let go of having you as my friend.
***
It took the whole bus ride for that thing to get settled and when it finished after Jezire got off the bus at SM Bacoor, I sat somewhere else and all my classmates look at me and put out their fists like they were interviewing me. I didn't know it was this understood by the whole class. Haha.
Teenah and I wanted to eat out before going on-campus. Ate Angge joined us. So the three of us ate out at Chowking in front of Waltermart Dasmariñas. After we ate out, we went to La Salle. We said bye to Ate Angge and Teenah wanted to eat some fresh Mangos. I joined her and we bought Mango's before heading off back into the quiet campus.
It was a very enjoyable trip. It was fun seeing what we're working for. To be inspired that AB Com and Broadjourn have an advantage in entering the world of media. One of the tour guides said: "You could be anyone in entering the media. But if you studied the Media in College, it's a whole different story. You'll develop where you want to go, and you will know how to get there with confidence."
Last Tuesday, February 11 2003 - Prep for the Parade
It was the eve of the Media Awareness Days. We spent most of Tuesday preparing for our Float for the parade. Well actually, not the float. We were scrambling to find a truck for our float and that was a lot of effort! The dancers practiced their performance, props were set up, and all sorts of rehearsals and approvals.
We still had NSTP-CWTSP and I interviewed Ate Rose (my assigned family) about the Importance of News to her and her neighbors' lifestyle. While I accompanied my classmate Joanna to her family, we found out her family moved away suddenly. Awww. So I tied up loose ends by telling Joanna to take Jhen's "abandoned" family. Jhen is "immune" from NSTP-CWTSP after her membership to Teatro Lasalliana. The family which was once enjoying conversations with Jhen, had spent so many weeks without anyone to interview them. Now they were happy once again when I introduced them to Joanna. ^_^
Last Wednesday, February 12 2003 - Media Awareness Begins
The meeting time was early morning and we gathered at a kubo. We didn't attend the mass, but instead started working on our float all morning long which was located in front of Hotel Nicole. The dancers also practiced and got into attire. It was later we found out that we were the only ones with a float. "HEY! They asked for a float... they GOT one. Sheesh." (i'm referring to the Communication Arts Program Council).
Well it was fun and it was Broadjourn Unity. We lifted our models up onto the float and the parade began. And just like last Monday during the Exposure Trip, Broadjourn was up front once again. (It's not like we marched straight to the front, but we were told to start the Parade.)
The new thing the whole class does is the "Standby - *APPLAUSE*" thing. Jeremy inspired the whole class to clap their hands and cheer really loud one or two seconds after we say "Standby". So, if you're in JOU1-1 and you hear someone say "Standby". (1) Lift your hands slightly and make your two hands parallel to each other like a frozen clap. (2) Wait a second. (3) Clap really loud and cheer. It was, of course, a thing from our exposure trip as the audience of "Morning Girls".
How many times did we clap our hands out loud?! Hahaha. I would describe my class during the parade as: "Up front and very VERY cheerful." We marched around, even in this cheesy parade... but it wasn't the cheesy parade. It was just being part of the class and marching together. All our hard work and efforts. While the sections behind us advertised their goods and products... we were advertising our course. A course still brand new, and only a few know about.
It was fun. Pictures were taken too by Ate Winnie of the HF. Thanks Ate Winnie for carrying my camera.
After the parade ended at JFH grounds, we spent an hour cooling off. CAD had so many sponsors. One of which was Kimberly-Clark and they gave each section a whole box of Kotex-napkin samples! It was crazy!! Everyone got two or three pieces. I saw a bag filled with pink kotex-napkin boxes. Crazy. But memorable.
Ate Angge would represent us in the CAD Singing Sensation while Emil, Jem, Natz (the Broadjourn Power of 3) + William, and two girls Bianca and Kate Q would represent us in the CAD Dance Competition.
The Singing Sensation went first, and I covered it. Ate Angge sang to "How Do I Live?" by Leann Rymes. She was amazing! We really felt the song and the emotion with it. However, there were these guys that also sang really good. I guess since the world accepts female singers more often... when you hear a guy sing really good... they have an added edge. We didn't win the Singing Sensation, but we should be proud that Ate Angge accepted to sing for us at the last minute and she did her very best just for us. ^_^
The Dance Competition began and COM2-1 went first. They did this unique Pyramid and Zombie thing. The choreography was excellent. Next was our section, JOU1-1. To the tune of "Next Episode". What Kate Q. and Bianca wore was very very daring. The Sexy Schoolgirl look. Add William the performer, and the Broadjourn Power of Three (Jem, Natz, and Emil)... and it was this awesome performance. COM1-3 performed (all girls) to "Gossip Folks" which is the latest song by Missy E. COM1-2 mixed several songs, and they had a mix of guys and girls. COM1-1 had no representative once again. COM2-3's "Noicemakers" (award-winning dance group) performed twice. They are sooooo good! The girl in the jersey is cute. She dances with feeling. Their moves aren't overdone sexy, they're balanced with slick moves. Cool. I just found out COM2-3 is the most active of the 2nd Year sections of AB Com and Broadjourn. (I wonder if JOU1-1 counts as the most active in First Year?)
COM2-2 though stole the show when these eight girls suited in Chinese-red and black pants danced to a song by Utada Hikaru. It had so many beats and they won eventually. However, personally I believe COM2-1 could've won (the Mummies) since COM2-2's Oriental thing didn't have facial expressions and their sounds weren't that clear. Oh well. Congrats still, it still looked nice.
I covered all the dances except the Noicemakers since they always had two or three cameramen and camerawomen working around the dance floor. They were blocking the way.
We didn't win anything, but the participation was just enough. We performed at least, and once again- it was a success.
Last Thursday, February 13 2003 - Meeting The Probe Team
Three things slammed into each other during the afternoon. The LAUNCH OF THE AB COM CHANNEL programs which we made last Semester. My participation in the NEWSCASTING COMPETITION. And the JOURNALISM SEMINAR with guests from THE PROBE TEAM on GMA-7.
I divided it this way. I worked as a Production Assistant under Kuya Jake Ofrasio for the AB Com Channel. I helped them set up the decorations at Square Canteen. After that, I fled to my dorm to wear my newscasting clothes (shimmering blue-violet polo courtesy Aldrich, yellow tie courtesy dorm mate in CBA- Mark). I then made it to the first hour of the Seminar. Che Che Lazaro couldn't attend as a guest, but the writers and co-workers of Che Che Lazaro made it and they showed us three documentaries that i-Witness / The Probe Team made. One of them was "MISTAH" and another was about slaughtered pigs and the usage of them.
I left 1/3 of the Seminar to join my classmate Endrea Fabian at JFH 201. She was dressing up and practicing. She would be representing JOU1-1 in the Filipino category and I would represent for the English category.
It took another 30 minutes, but eventually the competition began. We saw the other competitors. There were only three or four guys including myself. The others were all girls. The script they gave to us was on-the-spot but there would be an idiot board available. Lights and Cameras were all-set inside the Media Production Room (MPR). A television screen was available outside for friends and other competitors to see.
I was prepared and I was the 7th to compete. Endrea would be the 8th. I entered and confidently sat down (not to boast, but i just want to describe my feelings). I stared straight at the camera and asked for the Idiot Board to be positioned correctly. I was on in 5-4-3-... 2... (my heart stops) ... 1...
"Good afternoon.... (reads news piece about Iraq, Osama Bin Laden, terrorist alert) ... Stay Tuned for more news tonight. I'm George Putong of ABS-..(silence)..-AB Com TV".
Damn! I messed up the ending!! But no one noticed it! Hahaha. This is what I should have said at the end if I could repeat that moment.
"...Stay tuned for more news tonight. For the Broadjourn News Network, I'm George Putong of AB COM TV."
I've always wanted to slam my reporting to a close with such a bang. Oh well.
I returned to the CVR to finish the seminar. I had pictures taken and I was the one to start the autographing. After the newscasting thing, I suddenly had a surge of confidence. I don't know why... but the "Now or Never" influence by the Chair of AB Com really got into me.
I changed back in the dorm and prepared to go to Waltermart to develop film.
Last Friday, February 14 2003 - The Valentine on my Mind
The spirit of the Media Awareness Days simmered lower to allow BioSci and Reed2 to continue. Elemstat and my classmates' Pagbasa at Pagsulat were cancelled for the day. It was Valentine's Day and chocolates, cards, and flowers were being exchanged. I received a Valentine's Heartshaped greeting from Shiela. I also received something from Jezire, three "Lush" chocolates and a quote written on another heartshaped card. I was struck by the quote- thanks Jezire.
In BioSci, all Dr. Fonollera did was check our test papers and our Self-tests found in our Biological Sciences Compendium book. Afterwards we ate at Jollybee at Waltermart Dasmariñas. They were still renovating half the place, Greenich disappeared behind a temporary construction wall.
During Reed2, it was fun to have another lecture under Mrs. Planas. She's such an inspiring professor. We received more "free handouts" (from her off-campus Photocopy shop: "Yahweh's Cave") and it was called "An Interview with God".
We could relate since it was written in first-person form. The person was a "new journalist" and was interviewing God. Mrs. Planas asked my classmates which of God's answers touched them the most.
I had something to recite, but I didn't want to. It was too personal and my classmates would spend ages trying to guess what this problem really is. The answer I selected went something like this: "Learn that life has decisions. Do not turn yourself down by envy and jealousy of another."
I admitted that "jealousy" and "envy" wearn't my targets inside that answer. The deadly sin that affects me the most now would be SLOTH. I destroyed "jealousy/envy" in 4th Year High School after I ruined my friendship with someone.
The quote just had a certain specialty to it. The way it was constructed. The way the words connected hit me directly to the problem I've recently had. The main point I took from this answer was "Learn that life has decisions" and I explained it as "WE decide if we want to feel bad or good. WE decide if we will BE HAPPY without jealousy and envy."
The professor and the rest of the class looked at me, trying to understand every word coming out of my mouth. Mrs. Planas explained it in a simpler way to the class "what she thought" she had understood from my recitation. However, no one got the problem. I'd like to keep it that way for now.
After class, classmates dissolved away into the kubos and into jeepnees headed for home. I went to Lake Park to assist the JOU1-1 Officers who were tasked to help in the FASHION EXPOSURE at that location. Sadly, this was the only event of MAD that JOU1-1 has no influence in. We've done the PARADE, we've done the SINGING COMPETITION, and we've done the DANCE COMPETITION. We also had attended a SEMINAR with writers of THE PROBE TEAM.
I grew a little depressed. Read about the memorable "Valentine's Night 2003" by clicking here.
Last Saturday, February 15 2003 - Researching at the Library
Saturday began and it was Basil and Me rushing to ERH for class. Everyone else didn't wake up yet since they were all so tired. Lance, for instance, got home at 6 o'clock in the morning. He dropped Joyce back in Noveleta. He should plan things more. The rest of the guys of the "Mega Group Date" returned home and were just so tired.
Basil and I spoke to Ms. Encabo, whom I thought would be angry with us for being late once again and for not finishing our research. Instead, she told us that we would be the only ones considered PRESENT together with the two Chinese/Korean students. And that we were to seriously conduct our research and have at least something to submit for our next meeting.
So it was done. I spent the rest of the morning just eating with Basil at La Buena and then meeting Eric and Danielle at CTH 105. The two of them were taking their make-up quiz in ElemStat.
Eric and I then dropped Danielle to the PALAD SEMINAR (Heraldo Filipino's Literary Digest - Seminar) which she made it to. Congratz! Afterwards, we headed for the Library to research on the 4 articles we both each have to work on.
We went around the library and after going in circles and passing by Ate Florence (Kate's older sister) and Ate Bonnie (Bonnie Padua of HF), we ended up at what I like to call "the tower".
The 4th floor of the Aklatan Emilio Aguinaldo! And it goes up to the 5th floor, the highest point of the EAST Campus. We didn't go there but we entered the 4th Floor which was the "Archives" level. It's the size of one very large room. But the staircase is in the middle. A giant balcony is in front of it but the door was locked. A lady, looking very bored, finally had company when we asked her to help us find back-issues of the La Salleño. I have to research the LS of 1993 and 1996 while Eric has to research the LS of 1994 adn 1997. Then both of us have a specialty article. Mine is "Lasalleño: Pop culture of the Decade" while Eric's is: "Lasalleño: People of the Decade". Then both of us have a collaboration article entitled "Lasalleño: The First Ten Years".
A total of 7 articles. But divided into his space and my space, it's still 3 1/2 to 4 whole articles to make and submit on that day or for next week.
My pick up arrived and I went back to the dorms and left. It was one whole week of experiencing the Media. At no time did I lose the energy to keep on going. My love for the media, to study it... to work with it... kept me going. I finally found something I'm not tired to work with. From ABS-CBN last Monday to the Newscasting Competition on Thursday, from the Parade last Wednesday to the article researching on Saturday... it was one great week.
Oh and by the way--- Mr. Harold Palad, our adviser in JOU1-1, congratulated me last Friday afternoon in front of La Buena when we passed by. According to him, even if there's one winner in the Newscasting Competition which was a 4th Year AB Com guy. He told me that I placed "third". ^_^ AWESOME!!!
Stay tuned for more news tonight! For the Broadjourn News Network... I'm George Putong of AB COM TV. *grin-smile*
The Damage Report - End of Week #31
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"I'm left spinning in awe and excitement..."
SIXTY-THREE pictures. A record-breaking amount of [4R Glossy w/ Border] taken within the time frame of one week. One week crammed with Media Awareness Days and our visit to ABS-CBN studios.
Last Monday, February 10 2003 - A Tour to Remember
We gathered at PLS around 6 o'clock in the morning. Four sections, COM1-1, COM1-2, COM1-3, and JOU1-1. All first year of AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism. I arrived with the other on-campus dorm mates of JOU1-1. Somehow, we were the first section to get onto a bus. There were only three buses, meaning one section would have to be divided.
I think COM1-1 was the section that was divided. A few of them had to cram onto our bus and sit in the middle aisle. If we knew we would have "guests", we would have set an area for them to sit at.
Anyways, my seatmate on the bus was Eric. Maycee arrived a bit late so she sat in the aisle. On the other side was Jerson and Jhen. Basically, it was a row of five with Maycee in the seat on the aisle.
We set off and listened to the radio on the bus. The TV was off. The weather outside was also morning sunny. We passed by our classmate Mark somewhere in Imus, but we couldn't stop the bus exactly... i don't know why. Our first destination would of course be ABS-CBN Studios in Quezon City.
We arrived in QC around 10 o'clock in the morning. We gathered in front of the [Audience Entrance] of the studios. We were told to wait until they could accept us. Somehow, JOU1-1 ended up on front again. It made me wonder how this was happening. Why were we always looking "so excited" to get inside. But trust me, it's worth it later on (just continue reading).
After waiting for a few more minutes and slowly entering the compound of the several studios, we finally were given ABS-CBN Studio Tour stickers and were told to proceed around a number of studios. We passed by the MTB studio, the TV-Patrol studio, and after going down a flight of stairs we ended up entering the MORNING GIRLS studio.
Quickly we were told to sit in the Audience chairs. Now here's the thing. Since, somehow, we were (JOU1-1) still up front of the long line, we got to sit on the lower seats. Of course, these lower seats are closer to the set and to the celebrities to come by. I didn't realize this until I sat down on the 2nd row and noticed that the camera was just to my eye-level.
We eventually got seated and I observed everything. Every person on the set, I scanned to see what they were doing. Someone would be handling the sound system, another would be working the camera, another would be holding some kind of script. Two or three others would be found writing up the Idiot Boards. And then of course, the Audience Coordinator would be informing us of what to do.
While all of that was happening, "Teysi" was showing on the two TV screens situated on both sides of the set. Patricia Javier was a guest on that show. "Teysi" happens to be the show before "Morning Girls". As everyone still had their eyes up on the screen, no one noticed that Korina Sanchez had already seated herself in her chair. She just walked in quietly and sat down on the chair.
Korina was quiet and she was reviewing some notes. It was still quiet. Suddenly, Kris Aquino walked in. The Audience Coordinator said out loud "Ladies and Gentlemen -- Kris Aquino and Korina Sanchez" and we all began to clap out loud. This shattered the silence and Korina and Kris broke into an off-air conversation. They were talking to each other in English, and talking about what's been happening to them lately.
Kris started to complain about "Teysi" going over-time. Finally "Teysi" went off and no longer than a minute, the Coordinator told us to raise our hands and to clap. We began to clap out loud "ENERGY!!" as they demanded from us. We clapped loud and "Morning Girls" began. They started off with a little bit of talking followed by introducing their audience. "From De La Salle University - Dasmariñas... the First Year AB Com and Broadjourn!".
Kris and Korina spun off into a small conversation about "Broadjourn" and what it was. They also asked why majority are girls up in the audience. ü "Perhaps woman are more meticulous then men."
After Kris and Korina reviewed a series of news and events, they finally began their topic. Guests were Willie, Andrew E, Cito, and William Martinez. The topic of the episode we were witnessing before us was "Bastusan" (rudeness). It was fun to watch and witness all of this happening. They broke into a commercial and we watched them plan their conversations or add in things they'd like to say off-air about the topic.
Eventually the show rolled on and it had to come to an end. The audience sang Kris the "Happy Birthday" song (in advance) and several pictures were taken by classmate Badge. After they got off the set, we slowly disassembled and walked out the back exit and proceeded outside.
We were all starving as we waited for the bus. After taking pictures, the bus came and drove us to a nearby block which had a McDo and HenLin place. We made our way into the fastest-serving McDo I've been to. There are like five people in front of me in line, and you can get your food in two minutes. While in Tanza or back in Waltermart Dasmariñas it would take you five minutes, with just two people in front of you. Cool. (There's a banner hanging out front: "This McDo: Serves you in 60 seconds or less!") I have a picture.
We had our food fast, and now we had no to place to eat. We went next door to Hen Lin across the street and found some COM1-2 in line, and we also found some AB Com Program Council members trying to scramble in dealing with their Freshmen. Ms. Mhasa Sigari was also there.
We spent 10 minutes trying to find a place to eat. We walked down the side of a fast highway to find the buses on a different block. We retreated to our bus and ate fast, all the while I took more pictures.
Moments later we returned to ABS-CBN and went inside. We were divided into three tour groups. I believe, once again, that JOU1-1 was in the front and first group... with some COM1-1 with us. We were first brought to the TV-PATROL studio. It was actually smaller... and like the new tour guide says... "Sets like these look around TEN times larger on TV than what you see here."
I touched the desk of TV Patrol and closed my eyes. Just one moment with the desk! I convinced Maycee to join me and engage in a technique to get the best pictures of these studios. The technique was to stay behind the rest of the tour group, and after we are told to leave... to spend one last minute taking pictures and looking around ourselves.
After TV-Patrol we went to the set of "Teysi" and I got a picture with Maycee and Ms. Sigari there. Next we proceeded to the set of GAME K N B?! It was bigger and it was okay compared to the shockingly smaller TV-PATROL set. We took several pictures. Maycee and I each have a solo picture standing right on the circular centerpiece of the Game K N B set. Awesome!
We went around places in the studio. Eventually we encountered Gretchen Baretto walking down the hall. The best one was having a picture with Mark Logan. He was more "free" than the other artists we saw. What was more cool was visiting the BRAIN of the studios, which was the Editing Facility. Several television screens inside of one room. Room by room, you'd see editing of tv-shows. There's one I saw with Piolo Pascual and some other actress on whatever show they're on... the screen was on pause, and someone was editing the scene.
I had a picture taken next to the ABS-CBN MOBILE NEWS ROOM. I mean, heck, that's our course and that's our primary objective of job occupation right? Broadjourn? Broadcasting + Journalism = Responsible Broadcast Journalism. Ngek ngek ngek... hahaha.
Eventually our tour had to come to an end and it concluded after visiting this new building they constructed. Lots of pictures were taken by the other sections as well. We returned to the bus and I replied to several txt msgs.
It was on this bus ride that a friend of mine admitted her problem and her disrupted feelings. Jezire, thank you for telling me yourself. Our friendship will never be affected in any way by this. I treasure my friends like I treasure my life. I will never let go of having you as my friend.
***
It took the whole bus ride for that thing to get settled and when it finished after Jezire got off the bus at SM Bacoor, I sat somewhere else and all my classmates look at me and put out their fists like they were interviewing me. I didn't know it was this understood by the whole class. Haha.
Teenah and I wanted to eat out before going on-campus. Ate Angge joined us. So the three of us ate out at Chowking in front of Waltermart Dasmariñas. After we ate out, we went to La Salle. We said bye to Ate Angge and Teenah wanted to eat some fresh Mangos. I joined her and we bought Mango's before heading off back into the quiet campus.
It was a very enjoyable trip. It was fun seeing what we're working for. To be inspired that AB Com and Broadjourn have an advantage in entering the world of media. One of the tour guides said: "You could be anyone in entering the media. But if you studied the Media in College, it's a whole different story. You'll develop where you want to go, and you will know how to get there with confidence."
Last Tuesday, February 11 2003 - Prep for the Parade
It was the eve of the Media Awareness Days. We spent most of Tuesday preparing for our Float for the parade. Well actually, not the float. We were scrambling to find a truck for our float and that was a lot of effort! The dancers practiced their performance, props were set up, and all sorts of rehearsals and approvals.
We still had NSTP-CWTSP and I interviewed Ate Rose (my assigned family) about the Importance of News to her and her neighbors' lifestyle. While I accompanied my classmate Joanna to her family, we found out her family moved away suddenly. Awww. So I tied up loose ends by telling Joanna to take Jhen's "abandoned" family. Jhen is "immune" from NSTP-CWTSP after her membership to Teatro Lasalliana. The family which was once enjoying conversations with Jhen, had spent so many weeks without anyone to interview them. Now they were happy once again when I introduced them to Joanna. ^_^
Last Wednesday, February 12 2003 - Media Awareness Begins
The meeting time was early morning and we gathered at a kubo. We didn't attend the mass, but instead started working on our float all morning long which was located in front of Hotel Nicole. The dancers also practiced and got into attire. It was later we found out that we were the only ones with a float. "HEY! They asked for a float... they GOT one. Sheesh." (i'm referring to the Communication Arts Program Council).
Well it was fun and it was Broadjourn Unity. We lifted our models up onto the float and the parade began. And just like last Monday during the Exposure Trip, Broadjourn was up front once again. (It's not like we marched straight to the front, but we were told to start the Parade.)
The new thing the whole class does is the "Standby - *APPLAUSE*" thing. Jeremy inspired the whole class to clap their hands and cheer really loud one or two seconds after we say "Standby". So, if you're in JOU1-1 and you hear someone say "Standby". (1) Lift your hands slightly and make your two hands parallel to each other like a frozen clap. (2) Wait a second. (3) Clap really loud and cheer. It was, of course, a thing from our exposure trip as the audience of "Morning Girls".
How many times did we clap our hands out loud?! Hahaha. I would describe my class during the parade as: "Up front and very VERY cheerful." We marched around, even in this cheesy parade... but it wasn't the cheesy parade. It was just being part of the class and marching together. All our hard work and efforts. While the sections behind us advertised their goods and products... we were advertising our course. A course still brand new, and only a few know about.
It was fun. Pictures were taken too by Ate Winnie of the HF. Thanks Ate Winnie for carrying my camera.
After the parade ended at JFH grounds, we spent an hour cooling off. CAD had so many sponsors. One of which was Kimberly-Clark and they gave each section a whole box of Kotex-napkin samples! It was crazy!! Everyone got two or three pieces. I saw a bag filled with pink kotex-napkin boxes. Crazy. But memorable.
Ate Angge would represent us in the CAD Singing Sensation while Emil, Jem, Natz (the Broadjourn Power of 3) + William, and two girls Bianca and Kate Q would represent us in the CAD Dance Competition.
The Singing Sensation went first, and I covered it. Ate Angge sang to "How Do I Live?" by Leann Rymes. She was amazing! We really felt the song and the emotion with it. However, there were these guys that also sang really good. I guess since the world accepts female singers more often... when you hear a guy sing really good... they have an added edge. We didn't win the Singing Sensation, but we should be proud that Ate Angge accepted to sing for us at the last minute and she did her very best just for us. ^_^
The Dance Competition began and COM2-1 went first. They did this unique Pyramid and Zombie thing. The choreography was excellent. Next was our section, JOU1-1. To the tune of "Next Episode". What Kate Q. and Bianca wore was very very daring. The Sexy Schoolgirl look. Add William the performer, and the Broadjourn Power of Three (Jem, Natz, and Emil)... and it was this awesome performance. COM1-3 performed (all girls) to "Gossip Folks" which is the latest song by Missy E. COM1-2 mixed several songs, and they had a mix of guys and girls. COM1-1 had no representative once again. COM2-3's "Noicemakers" (award-winning dance group) performed twice. They are sooooo good! The girl in the jersey is cute. She dances with feeling. Their moves aren't overdone sexy, they're balanced with slick moves. Cool. I just found out COM2-3 is the most active of the 2nd Year sections of AB Com and Broadjourn. (I wonder if JOU1-1 counts as the most active in First Year?)
COM2-2 though stole the show when these eight girls suited in Chinese-red and black pants danced to a song by Utada Hikaru. It had so many beats and they won eventually. However, personally I believe COM2-1 could've won (the Mummies) since COM2-2's Oriental thing didn't have facial expressions and their sounds weren't that clear. Oh well. Congrats still, it still looked nice.
I covered all the dances except the Noicemakers since they always had two or three cameramen and camerawomen working around the dance floor. They were blocking the way.
We didn't win anything, but the participation was just enough. We performed at least, and once again- it was a success.
Last Thursday, February 13 2003 - Meeting The Probe Team
Three things slammed into each other during the afternoon. The LAUNCH OF THE AB COM CHANNEL programs which we made last Semester. My participation in the NEWSCASTING COMPETITION. And the JOURNALISM SEMINAR with guests from THE PROBE TEAM on GMA-7.
I divided it this way. I worked as a Production Assistant under Kuya Jake Ofrasio for the AB Com Channel. I helped them set up the decorations at Square Canteen. After that, I fled to my dorm to wear my newscasting clothes (shimmering blue-violet polo courtesy Aldrich, yellow tie courtesy dorm mate in CBA- Mark). I then made it to the first hour of the Seminar. Che Che Lazaro couldn't attend as a guest, but the writers and co-workers of Che Che Lazaro made it and they showed us three documentaries that i-Witness / The Probe Team made. One of them was "MISTAH" and another was about slaughtered pigs and the usage of them.
I left 1/3 of the Seminar to join my classmate Endrea Fabian at JFH 201. She was dressing up and practicing. She would be representing JOU1-1 in the Filipino category and I would represent for the English category.
It took another 30 minutes, but eventually the competition began. We saw the other competitors. There were only three or four guys including myself. The others were all girls. The script they gave to us was on-the-spot but there would be an idiot board available. Lights and Cameras were all-set inside the Media Production Room (MPR). A television screen was available outside for friends and other competitors to see.
I was prepared and I was the 7th to compete. Endrea would be the 8th. I entered and confidently sat down (not to boast, but i just want to describe my feelings). I stared straight at the camera and asked for the Idiot Board to be positioned correctly. I was on in 5-4-3-... 2... (my heart stops) ... 1...
"Good afternoon.... (reads news piece about Iraq, Osama Bin Laden, terrorist alert) ... Stay Tuned for more news tonight. I'm George Putong of ABS-..(silence)..-AB Com TV".
Damn! I messed up the ending!! But no one noticed it! Hahaha. This is what I should have said at the end if I could repeat that moment.
"...Stay tuned for more news tonight. For the Broadjourn News Network, I'm George Putong of AB COM TV."
I've always wanted to slam my reporting to a close with such a bang. Oh well.
I returned to the CVR to finish the seminar. I had pictures taken and I was the one to start the autographing. After the newscasting thing, I suddenly had a surge of confidence. I don't know why... but the "Now or Never" influence by the Chair of AB Com really got into me.
I changed back in the dorm and prepared to go to Waltermart to develop film.
Last Friday, February 14 2003 - The Valentine on my Mind
The spirit of the Media Awareness Days simmered lower to allow BioSci and Reed2 to continue. Elemstat and my classmates' Pagbasa at Pagsulat were cancelled for the day. It was Valentine's Day and chocolates, cards, and flowers were being exchanged. I received a Valentine's Heartshaped greeting from Shiela. I also received something from Jezire, three "Lush" chocolates and a quote written on another heartshaped card. I was struck by the quote- thanks Jezire.
In BioSci, all Dr. Fonollera did was check our test papers and our Self-tests found in our Biological Sciences Compendium book. Afterwards we ate at Jollybee at Waltermart Dasmariñas. They were still renovating half the place, Greenich disappeared behind a temporary construction wall.
During Reed2, it was fun to have another lecture under Mrs. Planas. She's such an inspiring professor. We received more "free handouts" (from her off-campus Photocopy shop: "Yahweh's Cave") and it was called "An Interview with God".
We could relate since it was written in first-person form. The person was a "new journalist" and was interviewing God. Mrs. Planas asked my classmates which of God's answers touched them the most.
I had something to recite, but I didn't want to. It was too personal and my classmates would spend ages trying to guess what this problem really is. The answer I selected went something like this: "Learn that life has decisions. Do not turn yourself down by envy and jealousy of another."
I admitted that "jealousy" and "envy" wearn't my targets inside that answer. The deadly sin that affects me the most now would be SLOTH. I destroyed "jealousy/envy" in 4th Year High School after I ruined my friendship with someone.
The quote just had a certain specialty to it. The way it was constructed. The way the words connected hit me directly to the problem I've recently had. The main point I took from this answer was "Learn that life has decisions" and I explained it as "WE decide if we want to feel bad or good. WE decide if we will BE HAPPY without jealousy and envy."
The professor and the rest of the class looked at me, trying to understand every word coming out of my mouth. Mrs. Planas explained it in a simpler way to the class "what she thought" she had understood from my recitation. However, no one got the problem. I'd like to keep it that way for now.
After class, classmates dissolved away into the kubos and into jeepnees headed for home. I went to Lake Park to assist the JOU1-1 Officers who were tasked to help in the FASHION EXPOSURE at that location. Sadly, this was the only event of MAD that JOU1-1 has no influence in. We've done the PARADE, we've done the SINGING COMPETITION, and we've done the DANCE COMPETITION. We also had attended a SEMINAR with writers of THE PROBE TEAM.
I grew a little depressed. Read about the memorable "Valentine's Night 2003" by clicking here.
Last Saturday, February 15 2003 - Researching at the Library
Saturday began and it was Basil and Me rushing to ERH for class. Everyone else didn't wake up yet since they were all so tired. Lance, for instance, got home at 6 o'clock in the morning. He dropped Joyce back in Noveleta. He should plan things more. The rest of the guys of the "Mega Group Date" returned home and were just so tired.
Basil and I spoke to Ms. Encabo, whom I thought would be angry with us for being late once again and for not finishing our research. Instead, she told us that we would be the only ones considered PRESENT together with the two Chinese/Korean students. And that we were to seriously conduct our research and have at least something to submit for our next meeting.
So it was done. I spent the rest of the morning just eating with Basil at La Buena and then meeting Eric and Danielle at CTH 105. The two of them were taking their make-up quiz in ElemStat.
Eric and I then dropped Danielle to the PALAD SEMINAR (Heraldo Filipino's Literary Digest - Seminar) which she made it to. Congratz! Afterwards, we headed for the Library to research on the 4 articles we both each have to work on.
We went around the library and after going in circles and passing by Ate Florence (Kate's older sister) and Ate Bonnie (Bonnie Padua of HF), we ended up at what I like to call "the tower".
The 4th floor of the Aklatan Emilio Aguinaldo! And it goes up to the 5th floor, the highest point of the EAST Campus. We didn't go there but we entered the 4th Floor which was the "Archives" level. It's the size of one very large room. But the staircase is in the middle. A giant balcony is in front of it but the door was locked. A lady, looking very bored, finally had company when we asked her to help us find back-issues of the La Salleño. I have to research the LS of 1993 and 1996 while Eric has to research the LS of 1994 adn 1997. Then both of us have a specialty article. Mine is "Lasalleño: Pop culture of the Decade" while Eric's is: "Lasalleño: People of the Decade". Then both of us have a collaboration article entitled "Lasalleño: The First Ten Years".
A total of 7 articles. But divided into his space and my space, it's still 3 1/2 to 4 whole articles to make and submit on that day or for next week.
My pick up arrived and I went back to the dorms and left. It was one whole week of experiencing the Media. At no time did I lose the energy to keep on going. My love for the media, to study it... to work with it... kept me going. I finally found something I'm not tired to work with. From ABS-CBN last Monday to the Newscasting Competition on Thursday, from the Parade last Wednesday to the article researching on Saturday... it was one great week.
Oh and by the way--- Mr. Harold Palad, our adviser in JOU1-1, congratulated me last Friday afternoon in front of La Buena when we passed by. According to him, even if there's one winner in the Newscasting Competition which was a 4th Year AB Com guy. He told me that I placed "third". ^_^ AWESOME!!!
Stay tuned for more news tonight! For the Broadjourn News Network... I'm George Putong of AB COM TV. *grin-smile*
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