Monday, March 24, 2003
TAKE ME TO THE FESTIVAL
The Damage Report - Summer Recess 2003 - Week #1 of 3
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
RESOLVED is the delicate issue of the incoming JOU2-1 and COM2-4. The class gathered together last Tuesday to proove that we are a unified AB Broadcast Journalism section. Our adviser had to bring in our Intro101 Professor from the first semester just to help him organize us. It was proven, whether the Shiftees like it or not, JOU1-1 now will be JOU2-1 tomorrow.
That was Tuesday.
Come Friday was the distribution of the Course Cards of the 2nd Semester. Once again, all the halls of the University were flooded with students. Classrooms contained students waiting for their professors. Others roamed the hallways. JOU1-1 on the other hand were calmly signing on four Class Picture boards that we would be presenting to four professors.
Ms. Kathryn Lacanlale, our substitute in Sociology for her outstanding methods of teaching Family Care.
Dr. Lakandupil Garcia, for being the JOU1-1 Professor in both "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" (1st sem) and "Pagbasa at Pagsulat" (2nd) and in teaching them, he gave his very best by focusing his teaching skills and topics towards Broadcast Journalism.
Ms. Nelda Atibagos, our professor in "Elementary Statistics", for her good character in teaching her subject towards Broadjourn. She's also the one who requested for a picture of the class.
And the fourth professor to receive a Class Picture board of Broadjourn is Ms. Marianne Planas. She's an amazing Professor who taught the class in her subject Reed102: Jesus the Good News. Her methods and creative styles of teaching us added to more bonding.
I'm glad to say that any wrath of the 2nd Semester has been safely brushed aside. Biological Science and General Chemistry are passing. Personal Disappointments appear in English101 (due to a bad Intensive grade) and in Elementary Statistics. Surprises appeared in Pagbasa at Pagsulat (the most) as well as NSTP-CWTSP. In the latter, I was ready to charge into the LCDC demanding a better grade. But after receiving my Class Card there, I shut up. For there is no better grade.
I was riding with Upper and we ate out at some canteen on the "University Avenue". The place we ate at was directly in front of the Daneve pub. Keith, Kats and her boyfriend Jay, Teenah, Upper, and Danielle were company. It was our last "Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out" which became a "Luncheon". I didn't know Upper could drive, it was quite a surprise. She's the person I first met in class, and I will miss her if she's going to continue transferring into the course she really wants- Culinary Arts.
We returned on-campus and Leah and Kaye were with us. There was absolutely no breathing room. I was sitting on someone elses' lap inside the SUV and if the windows were open, we'd look like Sardines inside a vehicle. We picked up our NSTP cards there and proceeded to get our Reed cards. We gave out all the Class Picture boards to everyone except Ms. Lacanlale, who I didn't see.
In the evening, I departed for the Dorm. The 6th Issue of the Heraldo Filipino was released. I have two published articles to finish off my contribution to the Broadsheet this past year. Bringing the number I've had my articles published for an HF Broadsheet up to 7 and total published (including the La Salleño) for the HF to a meek 10. I'm personally planning on doubling my efforts next year.
In the latest issue, I first saw that I had one published. "COM, JOU CELEBRATES MAD". And then I tried to recall if I submitted any other articles for the last issue of Batch 17. I then recalled "oh yeah, that CLE article on Custom Administration". I didn't see it in the paper initially because I've been an idiot by looking directly at the By-lines and looking at what the other writers did. It wasn't until waiting for my classmates to finish in their Reed102 re-compute that I saw on the top of the Front Page "BS Custom Administration to be offered by CLE... more on page A3".
"Huh?"
I opened the flap and saw A3. I opened the flap more and saw in a box "BS Custom Administration to be offered by CLE" and the by-line was Geralyn Ann Isles. "Huh?"
I'm not bothered by the mistaken by-line. I'm bothered by my habit of looking first at the by-line to see who wrote the thing. I didn't focus on reading the headline or the banner, I just looked at names. I've learned my lesson here, I'll look at the content of the article first. Damnit, what's wrong with me?!
It even has a blurred picture of the Dean I interviewed. I bet that Dean is wondering "What happened to that guy who interviewed me?".
Anyways, I was packed for an evening stay at La Salle. I thought the guys there had a place to go, so I was all optimistic on having a fantastic evening. I arrived at the dorm and they wanted pictures taken. I didn't argue, I also wanted pictures of what Ben and Lance label as "tropa" and "barkada" and what I jokingly said to Lance "What is this? ...a Berks?". Well, with Ben's great enthusiasm on "groups of friends" and "tropa" and "barkada", I didn't argue. It was something I thought I'd never be part of.
The truth is, I'm not close with half of this "berks". Abbey of Saudi Arabia and Len the on-off girlfriend of Ben come from PolSci and are interested in shifting into AB Comm... department and into Broadjourn. Together with classmate and my best friend this past year, Joel. Gaile is the girl Basil's been courting, who's raging popularity was recently part of a "clan wars" that involved dorm mate Allan (see past "The Damage Report" entitled "Caught in the Crossfire"). Ben of course, is the lovable AB Psych going AB Comm next year who's in 2nd year. --this is getting complicated, please bear with my sarcasm-- Then of course there's Karl and Aldrich and myself... I don't feel part of it but Ben opens his arms and says "you are part of it.". I don't argue. Why would I?
Well, they didn't go anywhere. Cash problems. WHAT?! For the first time, these guys are going broke. Basil joined me to go to KFC in the evening and I found out he has a budgeting scheme that is working and keeping him afloat. His allowance isn't the highest among the three from Kuwait, but from my perspective... this guy will never go broke the way he is saving. Balanced saving. Not the kind of "I can't go today, I'm saving." BUT INSTEAD the kind like "Sure, I'll go. Let's just not spend that much."
Cool.
I returned to the dorm and we jammed to the song "Ecstasy" by Missy Elliott in Aldrich's room (F5). Eventually Friday concluded and it was Saturday.
Saturday was the first visit to Festival Mall. Aldrich, Karl, Brian, Basil, and myself. Lance went home. We first went to Pag-Asa towards Karl's relatives' house. We followed Karl and got on an Imus-bound jeepnee... only to get off at Salitran and take a tricycle to a familiar looking highway. The highway where jeepnees that pass by La Salle go. The Paliparan or Summerwind-bound jeepnees go to this area. Meaning, we took a useless zig-zag! WTF?! It's like going to SM Bacoor from Tanza except taking a "Cavite City", getting off at "Cavite City", and taking an "SM Bacoor" from there. Weird.
I spoke up but I wasn't angry. I was laughing inside as I followed a 16-year-old teenager raised in Kuwait commute to his relatives' house the funny way.
We arrived there real quick and stayed for a few minutes. Eventually we left the place and ended up at a Jollybee in that area. We searched for an FX or a Van to take us to Festival, but there wearn't any. We ended up inside a Jeepnee found for SM Southmall. A stinky old rusted jeepnee. That's where I found out from Aldrich that he's officially boyfriend of a classmate of mine. We got off at Southmall and boarded a stuffed FX Megataxi bound for Festival Mall.
At Festival Mall, we met with Ben Lim and the six of us had a studio pic and then chilled out around the mall and the arcades like X-Site. Not one memory of my High School entered me during the initial visit to this mall. I mean, this mall did carry those lonely two hours browsing by myself. My first time to the mall was during a field trip in 3rd Year when I was looking for a birthday gift for my high school best friend... and he disappeared into the crowds with my other high school friends. Only to re-appear in X-Site going ride to ride and me trying to catch up.
Well, that was yesteryear. It's now March 2003 and I'm an incoming 2nd year student. I only started to reminisce that old field trip when Aldrich and Karl passed by a computer game shop that I recall entering with Lance back in November 2000.
After eating at Carl's Jr., Ben had to leave just when my classmate Ronalyn and her younger sister Roxanne arrived to meet with us at X-Site. We rode the Rollercoaster and I was seated with Karl. Aldrich and Rona were up front. The girl that my friend and perhaps future model is with is Broadjourn! Go Journ, yehey.
"Any man may love a girl in my class, but no man will stop me from loving them as my classmates."
Rona had to rush home afterwards since she was way over her curfew time set by her mom. We stayed awhile longer until X-Site closed. Aldrich, Karl, Brian, Basil, and myself made our way downstairs to perfectly fill up seats in a big Dasma-bound Van. The Kuwaiti guys laughed silently when some Prostitute-looking young woman entered the Van and sliced us in half. I was in the back with Basil and Brian. Karl and Aldrich were on the reverse-seat behind the driver. I didn't laugh, I was just tired.
We passed by highways and dark fields and shortcuts to get into Pala Pala and down into Dasma Bayan and from there, La Salle.
Saturday night became Sunday morning.
A long Sunday morning. I was planning on going home, but I heard Aldrich and Karl were going to Festival again while Brian and Basil didn't want to spend. After a hard time deciding, I finally had the notion to go to Festival again. The decision was made after I called my house and my mom told me "as long as I'm okay, I can go.".
We took a Van near the UMC to go to Festival. It was on this 2nd trip to Festival that I started to get all emotional again. Sometimes being a Cancer sucks!
(1) I got off the Van and went to spit my gum out at a nearby trash recepticle. When I looked up, my two companions are way ahead of me and they didn't even look back to check if I was following them still.
(2) I felt like I was following them endlessly. I was the only one with a bag, so they kept some of their things with me. Comb, Camera, some powder to keep the sweat away. Which was okay, until they just suddenly opened the bag while I was walking or looking at something. They could say "I need to get something in the bag." but they just opened it like crazy. I don't know why, but I was slightly offended.
(3) They played at X-Site again, the reason we came back on a Sunday afternoon. They played and played and I was watching most of the time since I don't like spending money on tokens. When I decided a P20-4 tokens wouldn't hurt, I decided to play. I only played the Para Para Paradise 2nd Mix game once, and it didn't seem to amuse them at first. Their reactions came way after they finished playing. Quote Aldrich: "I'm so proud you tried everything."... uhm, it was sort of late. I felt stupid after leaving that motion-sensor circular stage when I first played.
(4) At Penshoppe, since my stay at the dorms has been extended, I didn't have any new underwear with me. So, I jokingly said "I'm gonna buy underwear at Festival!". They suggested "Penshoppe" since they both had Penshoppe underwear according to them. I went in, shyly picked up the most simple Penshoppe underwear (Sports' Casual) and pay'd. I went to the back where they were fitting Penshoppe jackets on and suddenly they told me "We know the people here, you could have had a discount.". Well, why didn't they say so at the beginning?!
(5) On a escalator, they suddenly make a decision to go somewhere. I kindly ask them "where?" and they say "Frap.". I'm not familiar with coffee terms such as that, but that's where we went. Coffee Republic at C-Square on the top floor. P140 for each of us. P115 for some Vienna Frap and another P25 for a giant-sized Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie. What my classmates would probably say "Ang sosyal!"... I brushed that aside and the table had our Frap, plates with cookies, and our three cellphones on it. Aldrich's 5510, Karl's 5210, and my 3210. Wait, I also had my Pocketpad III on it trying to count the damages to my own finances. I cracked simple jokes but the aura at the table was serious. It's like I said a joke and then they'd just stare. I'm not bad trippin' here, but it was irritating.
(6) I was ok, generally in the mall. They finally had cash and Aldrich was buying prepaid. I'm GAME this past weekend mainly because I finally have extra savings free to spend. Suddenly, at 2015 hrs on Sunday evening while I went "ahead" to pay for developing another set of photos down at Island Photo... that i was broke. I could blame it on myself from that Coffee Republic experience, but it was disappointing to suddenly go from the top and crash to the bottom in expenses. George, spend more on clothes not bitty-bitty meals and arcade games!
(7) We were leaving already and to my surprise, the three of us were broke! Karl and Aldrich spent their last cash at the "Little Hong Kong" store on the first floor. They both bought two cheap shirts and changed into it since they were tired and sweaty from "Para Para Paradise 2nd Mix" (a motion-sensor dance game). We went outside and they were looking for an ATM. The first two ATMs we went to were empty or unavailable. We started roaming around and walking far distances on the edges of the exterior of Festival mall. We went into Shopwise and then I saw this "magazine" with a picture of a burning Palace estate in Baghdad. Big bold letters said "Baghdad is Bombed" or something like that. No surprise there. Until I noted closer the "Philippine Daily Inquirer - Sunday Edition" banner on the top. WHAT?! This is the PDI for Sunday? I grabbed the paper and opened it. It's a Broadsheet not a magazine!! I pause in awe as half the broadsheet page had that disturbing image of a Palace burning at night and when I look up, the companions I had just next to me where out of sight. Not again! I walked forward guessing their path and saw them about 50 meters away and deep into the empty mall... all the shops were closed. They were directed to an ATM that was far. They turned around finally and saw me. I wasn't happy now, I was cranky. At that point, I refused to talk to the both of them. I just followed them until I found out it was time to just STOP and count exactly how much we have.
I sat down without telling them this time on purpose at the edge of the empty food court, still lit by those colorful lights. I took out my wallet and then emptied my pockets of loose change. I had enough to get home, Aldrich did too, but Karl was short of 40 pesos. I had 35 pesos extra and we only needed five pesos more which Aldrich completed. After counting, I stared at the two of them and then they started to chat. I instantly called Joel on my cellphone and Joel returned the call after the signal was lost. Joel and I spoke for five minutes as we left the mall. Aldrich and Karl still up front and me behind them talking to Joel.
We found out there weren't anymore Dasma-bound Vans. But a Zapote-bound one. We got on the Zapote-bound Van and the wait was shorter than the previous night. After the van emptied along the way, we had the Van to ourselves as we arrived at the Overpass at Zapote. Aldrich and Karl (and my moral support) tried to bargain for the driver to take us straight to Dasmariñas. P45 Aldrich offered from the three of us (um, where'd he get the extra cash?). The driver said P50... but we didn't P50! It's crazy. We could afford P50 on these situations, but we were totally broke!
I didn't talk to them much and we got on a DBB-C right across the street. Up until the dorms I didn't talk to them. We arrived in La Salle around 1130pm. They went into F5 together to start cooking stuff they bought at 7-11, while I locked myself in F3 to just meditate. They asked me over and over again to eat and sleep in F5, but I was just angry still about the whole trip.
Karl tried, and Aldrich seemed to not even care at that time. I was in F3 until 1 o'clock in the morning. I suddenly realized I wanted to go into F5 and ask Aldrich and Karl one question. "Do you guys want me to sleep here?". That question would answer all my questions if they really cared about me as their friend.
I went there. They were listening to music. I asked the question. Karl replied with enthusiasm "Yeah!" but Aldrich didn't even look up. I think Aldrich didn't believe I was talking to him, so I'll let that pass.
I went in, and the bed I was sleeping on the night before now had Aldrich and Karl on it. I was sleepy and I tried to fall asleep, but Aldrich and Karl were listening to music still, the light were on, and some porn was on Karl's laptop.
They didn't sleep until around half past 3 o'clock in the morning. When they closed their eyes to sleep, I opened mine. I couldn't sleep, my eyes were just shut. I stared at Aldrich's corner of the room for thirty minutes remembering all the times we've been friends since November 2002. I suddenly dozed off to sleep.
I woke up early on Monday morning and fled to F3 to take a shower and make it to JFH to meet classmates of mine in getting our Course Card in Career Pathing. Ms. Sigari's 10am became 1pm, 1pm became 4pm, 4pm became another day.
I did see waves of my classmates. I wasn't feeling "in" with the general group. We just waited at the Kubo until it got annoying and most of them went home including our Class President. I stayed since I was going home with Jerson.
Aldrich and Karl were at the Rotonda while I was at the HF listening to the announcement of the new Editorial Board. I was caught in conflict if I was to go to the LTS since a slot opened up for me. But it would have been 4-days 3-nights in Batangas starting Tuesday morning. That would mean, I would literally be "absent from home in tanza for a whole week". I wanted to go home, I wanted to stay with the guys, I wanted to go to Batangas and meet these leaders. Aaaaaahhhh!
I had so much pressure in me that I could have bursted. Instead, Kuya Eric helped me decide at HF by listing down the slots once again and listing down the new EB and marking down slots. Two slots came out for non-EB. Maycee, unfortunately didn't make it into the new EB, would be going. Meaning one more slot left... and that one last slot deserves to go to someone who really wants to go. I'm a man with uncertainty coming to that, so I said "Thank you Kuya Eric, I think I've decided not to go."
So, with the weight of a long trip to Batangas off my chest, I now wanted to clear things up even more. I told Aldrich and Karl to stay at the Rotonda (on the cellphone Aldrich said "Rotondee") so I could seriously talk to them about Sunday.
I went there and it would be the first time I addressed emotion and honesty towards Aldrich. I apologized for "being sensitive" the previous day at the mall and would appreciate it if they'd let me fix it. Aldrich and Karl had plans of going to Festival for a third day in a row even if it was almost 6 o'clock in the evening. I now had another decision... stay with Aldrich and Karl and fix up OR go home with classmates Jerson and Jonee, who were patiently waiting on the other side of the Rotonda.
Aldrich and Karl went out to get something to eat, but later txt'd me that they were going to Waltermart to eat and they might not go to Festival. When Jonee found out my problems this past weekend and on Monday, she suddenly said "Uh uh, you're going home with us."
With Jonee's reasoning and Jerson's light Jokes, I was convinced to retire back into Tanza. I felt bitin again by leaving... even if I had gone overtime with the guys this weekend. I packed up quickly at the dorm and then left with Jerson, Jonee, Shiela, and Joanna.
At SM Bacoor, Jonee took a Cavite City-bound baby bus and I took my first babybus ride of 2003 with Jerson. Suddenly outside the window of the backseat, I saw Chope from High School! Actually, we both saw each other at the same time. Chope and a childhood friend boarded the dim babybus and Chope sat next to Jerson. Then Chope and I catched up on talk. Cool.
We all got off at Daang Amaya Crossing, just like old times, and including Chope. Jerson joined me in going home since he might not have anything to do since it was still an early evening (8 o'clock in the evening). I ordered a Super Half-Chicken at Andoks for the first time by myself and we took a Tricycle to get home.
After Jerson surfed the net and after I ate while watching "War in Iraq" the CNN Coverage, he went home. After he went home, I cleaned up my room a bit and suddenly felt a little sad again. I was now isolated again from everyone... I instantly started missing the guys and the outings.
The Damage Report - Summer Recess 2003 - Week #1 of 3
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
RESOLVED is the delicate issue of the incoming JOU2-1 and COM2-4. The class gathered together last Tuesday to proove that we are a unified AB Broadcast Journalism section. Our adviser had to bring in our Intro101 Professor from the first semester just to help him organize us. It was proven, whether the Shiftees like it or not, JOU1-1 now will be JOU2-1 tomorrow.
That was Tuesday.
Come Friday was the distribution of the Course Cards of the 2nd Semester. Once again, all the halls of the University were flooded with students. Classrooms contained students waiting for their professors. Others roamed the hallways. JOU1-1 on the other hand were calmly signing on four Class Picture boards that we would be presenting to four professors.
Ms. Kathryn Lacanlale, our substitute in Sociology for her outstanding methods of teaching Family Care.
Dr. Lakandupil Garcia, for being the JOU1-1 Professor in both "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" (1st sem) and "Pagbasa at Pagsulat" (2nd) and in teaching them, he gave his very best by focusing his teaching skills and topics towards Broadcast Journalism.
Ms. Nelda Atibagos, our professor in "Elementary Statistics", for her good character in teaching her subject towards Broadjourn. She's also the one who requested for a picture of the class.
And the fourth professor to receive a Class Picture board of Broadjourn is Ms. Marianne Planas. She's an amazing Professor who taught the class in her subject Reed102: Jesus the Good News. Her methods and creative styles of teaching us added to more bonding.
I'm glad to say that any wrath of the 2nd Semester has been safely brushed aside. Biological Science and General Chemistry are passing. Personal Disappointments appear in English101 (due to a bad Intensive grade) and in Elementary Statistics. Surprises appeared in Pagbasa at Pagsulat (the most) as well as NSTP-CWTSP. In the latter, I was ready to charge into the LCDC demanding a better grade. But after receiving my Class Card there, I shut up. For there is no better grade.
I was riding with Upper and we ate out at some canteen on the "University Avenue". The place we ate at was directly in front of the Daneve pub. Keith, Kats and her boyfriend Jay, Teenah, Upper, and Danielle were company. It was our last "Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out" which became a "Luncheon". I didn't know Upper could drive, it was quite a surprise. She's the person I first met in class, and I will miss her if she's going to continue transferring into the course she really wants- Culinary Arts.
We returned on-campus and Leah and Kaye were with us. There was absolutely no breathing room. I was sitting on someone elses' lap inside the SUV and if the windows were open, we'd look like Sardines inside a vehicle. We picked up our NSTP cards there and proceeded to get our Reed cards. We gave out all the Class Picture boards to everyone except Ms. Lacanlale, who I didn't see.
In the evening, I departed for the Dorm. The 6th Issue of the Heraldo Filipino was released. I have two published articles to finish off my contribution to the Broadsheet this past year. Bringing the number I've had my articles published for an HF Broadsheet up to 7 and total published (including the La Salleño) for the HF to a meek 10. I'm personally planning on doubling my efforts next year.
In the latest issue, I first saw that I had one published. "COM, JOU CELEBRATES MAD". And then I tried to recall if I submitted any other articles for the last issue of Batch 17. I then recalled "oh yeah, that CLE article on Custom Administration". I didn't see it in the paper initially because I've been an idiot by looking directly at the By-lines and looking at what the other writers did. It wasn't until waiting for my classmates to finish in their Reed102 re-compute that I saw on the top of the Front Page "BS Custom Administration to be offered by CLE... more on page A3".
"Huh?"
I opened the flap and saw A3. I opened the flap more and saw in a box "BS Custom Administration to be offered by CLE" and the by-line was Geralyn Ann Isles. "Huh?"
I'm not bothered by the mistaken by-line. I'm bothered by my habit of looking first at the by-line to see who wrote the thing. I didn't focus on reading the headline or the banner, I just looked at names. I've learned my lesson here, I'll look at the content of the article first. Damnit, what's wrong with me?!
It even has a blurred picture of the Dean I interviewed. I bet that Dean is wondering "What happened to that guy who interviewed me?".
Anyways, I was packed for an evening stay at La Salle. I thought the guys there had a place to go, so I was all optimistic on having a fantastic evening. I arrived at the dorm and they wanted pictures taken. I didn't argue, I also wanted pictures of what Ben and Lance label as "tropa" and "barkada" and what I jokingly said to Lance "What is this? ...a Berks?". Well, with Ben's great enthusiasm on "groups of friends" and "tropa" and "barkada", I didn't argue. It was something I thought I'd never be part of.
The truth is, I'm not close with half of this "berks". Abbey of Saudi Arabia and Len the on-off girlfriend of Ben come from PolSci and are interested in shifting into AB Comm... department and into Broadjourn. Together with classmate and my best friend this past year, Joel. Gaile is the girl Basil's been courting, who's raging popularity was recently part of a "clan wars" that involved dorm mate Allan (see past "The Damage Report" entitled "Caught in the Crossfire"). Ben of course, is the lovable AB Psych going AB Comm next year who's in 2nd year. --this is getting complicated, please bear with my sarcasm-- Then of course there's Karl and Aldrich and myself... I don't feel part of it but Ben opens his arms and says "you are part of it.". I don't argue. Why would I?
Well, they didn't go anywhere. Cash problems. WHAT?! For the first time, these guys are going broke. Basil joined me to go to KFC in the evening and I found out he has a budgeting scheme that is working and keeping him afloat. His allowance isn't the highest among the three from Kuwait, but from my perspective... this guy will never go broke the way he is saving. Balanced saving. Not the kind of "I can't go today, I'm saving." BUT INSTEAD the kind like "Sure, I'll go. Let's just not spend that much."
Cool.
I returned to the dorm and we jammed to the song "Ecstasy" by Missy Elliott in Aldrich's room (F5). Eventually Friday concluded and it was Saturday.
Saturday was the first visit to Festival Mall. Aldrich, Karl, Brian, Basil, and myself. Lance went home. We first went to Pag-Asa towards Karl's relatives' house. We followed Karl and got on an Imus-bound jeepnee... only to get off at Salitran and take a tricycle to a familiar looking highway. The highway where jeepnees that pass by La Salle go. The Paliparan or Summerwind-bound jeepnees go to this area. Meaning, we took a useless zig-zag! WTF?! It's like going to SM Bacoor from Tanza except taking a "Cavite City", getting off at "Cavite City", and taking an "SM Bacoor" from there. Weird.
I spoke up but I wasn't angry. I was laughing inside as I followed a 16-year-old teenager raised in Kuwait commute to his relatives' house the funny way.
We arrived there real quick and stayed for a few minutes. Eventually we left the place and ended up at a Jollybee in that area. We searched for an FX or a Van to take us to Festival, but there wearn't any. We ended up inside a Jeepnee found for SM Southmall. A stinky old rusted jeepnee. That's where I found out from Aldrich that he's officially boyfriend of a classmate of mine. We got off at Southmall and boarded a stuffed FX Megataxi bound for Festival Mall.
At Festival Mall, we met with Ben Lim and the six of us had a studio pic and then chilled out around the mall and the arcades like X-Site. Not one memory of my High School entered me during the initial visit to this mall. I mean, this mall did carry those lonely two hours browsing by myself. My first time to the mall was during a field trip in 3rd Year when I was looking for a birthday gift for my high school best friend... and he disappeared into the crowds with my other high school friends. Only to re-appear in X-Site going ride to ride and me trying to catch up.
Well, that was yesteryear. It's now March 2003 and I'm an incoming 2nd year student. I only started to reminisce that old field trip when Aldrich and Karl passed by a computer game shop that I recall entering with Lance back in November 2000.
After eating at Carl's Jr., Ben had to leave just when my classmate Ronalyn and her younger sister Roxanne arrived to meet with us at X-Site. We rode the Rollercoaster and I was seated with Karl. Aldrich and Rona were up front. The girl that my friend and perhaps future model is with is Broadjourn! Go Journ, yehey.
"Any man may love a girl in my class, but no man will stop me from loving them as my classmates."
Rona had to rush home afterwards since she was way over her curfew time set by her mom. We stayed awhile longer until X-Site closed. Aldrich, Karl, Brian, Basil, and myself made our way downstairs to perfectly fill up seats in a big Dasma-bound Van. The Kuwaiti guys laughed silently when some Prostitute-looking young woman entered the Van and sliced us in half. I was in the back with Basil and Brian. Karl and Aldrich were on the reverse-seat behind the driver. I didn't laugh, I was just tired.
We passed by highways and dark fields and shortcuts to get into Pala Pala and down into Dasma Bayan and from there, La Salle.
Saturday night became Sunday morning.
A long Sunday morning. I was planning on going home, but I heard Aldrich and Karl were going to Festival again while Brian and Basil didn't want to spend. After a hard time deciding, I finally had the notion to go to Festival again. The decision was made after I called my house and my mom told me "as long as I'm okay, I can go.".
We took a Van near the UMC to go to Festival. It was on this 2nd trip to Festival that I started to get all emotional again. Sometimes being a Cancer sucks!
(1) I got off the Van and went to spit my gum out at a nearby trash recepticle. When I looked up, my two companions are way ahead of me and they didn't even look back to check if I was following them still.
(2) I felt like I was following them endlessly. I was the only one with a bag, so they kept some of their things with me. Comb, Camera, some powder to keep the sweat away. Which was okay, until they just suddenly opened the bag while I was walking or looking at something. They could say "I need to get something in the bag." but they just opened it like crazy. I don't know why, but I was slightly offended.
(3) They played at X-Site again, the reason we came back on a Sunday afternoon. They played and played and I was watching most of the time since I don't like spending money on tokens. When I decided a P20-4 tokens wouldn't hurt, I decided to play. I only played the Para Para Paradise 2nd Mix game once, and it didn't seem to amuse them at first. Their reactions came way after they finished playing. Quote Aldrich: "I'm so proud you tried everything."... uhm, it was sort of late. I felt stupid after leaving that motion-sensor circular stage when I first played.
(4) At Penshoppe, since my stay at the dorms has been extended, I didn't have any new underwear with me. So, I jokingly said "I'm gonna buy underwear at Festival!". They suggested "Penshoppe" since they both had Penshoppe underwear according to them. I went in, shyly picked up the most simple Penshoppe underwear (Sports' Casual) and pay'd. I went to the back where they were fitting Penshoppe jackets on and suddenly they told me "We know the people here, you could have had a discount.". Well, why didn't they say so at the beginning?!
(5) On a escalator, they suddenly make a decision to go somewhere. I kindly ask them "where?" and they say "Frap.". I'm not familiar with coffee terms such as that, but that's where we went. Coffee Republic at C-Square on the top floor. P140 for each of us. P115 for some Vienna Frap and another P25 for a giant-sized Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie. What my classmates would probably say "Ang sosyal!"... I brushed that aside and the table had our Frap, plates with cookies, and our three cellphones on it. Aldrich's 5510, Karl's 5210, and my 3210. Wait, I also had my Pocketpad III on it trying to count the damages to my own finances. I cracked simple jokes but the aura at the table was serious. It's like I said a joke and then they'd just stare. I'm not bad trippin' here, but it was irritating.
(6) I was ok, generally in the mall. They finally had cash and Aldrich was buying prepaid. I'm GAME this past weekend mainly because I finally have extra savings free to spend. Suddenly, at 2015 hrs on Sunday evening while I went "ahead" to pay for developing another set of photos down at Island Photo... that i was broke. I could blame it on myself from that Coffee Republic experience, but it was disappointing to suddenly go from the top and crash to the bottom in expenses. George, spend more on clothes not bitty-bitty meals and arcade games!
(7) We were leaving already and to my surprise, the three of us were broke! Karl and Aldrich spent their last cash at the "Little Hong Kong" store on the first floor. They both bought two cheap shirts and changed into it since they were tired and sweaty from "Para Para Paradise 2nd Mix" (a motion-sensor dance game). We went outside and they were looking for an ATM. The first two ATMs we went to were empty or unavailable. We started roaming around and walking far distances on the edges of the exterior of Festival mall. We went into Shopwise and then I saw this "magazine" with a picture of a burning Palace estate in Baghdad. Big bold letters said "Baghdad is Bombed" or something like that. No surprise there. Until I noted closer the "Philippine Daily Inquirer - Sunday Edition" banner on the top. WHAT?! This is the PDI for Sunday? I grabbed the paper and opened it. It's a Broadsheet not a magazine!! I pause in awe as half the broadsheet page had that disturbing image of a Palace burning at night and when I look up, the companions I had just next to me where out of sight. Not again! I walked forward guessing their path and saw them about 50 meters away and deep into the empty mall... all the shops were closed. They were directed to an ATM that was far. They turned around finally and saw me. I wasn't happy now, I was cranky. At that point, I refused to talk to the both of them. I just followed them until I found out it was time to just STOP and count exactly how much we have.
I sat down without telling them this time on purpose at the edge of the empty food court, still lit by those colorful lights. I took out my wallet and then emptied my pockets of loose change. I had enough to get home, Aldrich did too, but Karl was short of 40 pesos. I had 35 pesos extra and we only needed five pesos more which Aldrich completed. After counting, I stared at the two of them and then they started to chat. I instantly called Joel on my cellphone and Joel returned the call after the signal was lost. Joel and I spoke for five minutes as we left the mall. Aldrich and Karl still up front and me behind them talking to Joel.
We found out there weren't anymore Dasma-bound Vans. But a Zapote-bound one. We got on the Zapote-bound Van and the wait was shorter than the previous night. After the van emptied along the way, we had the Van to ourselves as we arrived at the Overpass at Zapote. Aldrich and Karl (and my moral support) tried to bargain for the driver to take us straight to Dasmariñas. P45 Aldrich offered from the three of us (um, where'd he get the extra cash?). The driver said P50... but we didn't P50! It's crazy. We could afford P50 on these situations, but we were totally broke!
I didn't talk to them much and we got on a DBB-C right across the street. Up until the dorms I didn't talk to them. We arrived in La Salle around 1130pm. They went into F5 together to start cooking stuff they bought at 7-11, while I locked myself in F3 to just meditate. They asked me over and over again to eat and sleep in F5, but I was just angry still about the whole trip.
Karl tried, and Aldrich seemed to not even care at that time. I was in F3 until 1 o'clock in the morning. I suddenly realized I wanted to go into F5 and ask Aldrich and Karl one question. "Do you guys want me to sleep here?". That question would answer all my questions if they really cared about me as their friend.
I went there. They were listening to music. I asked the question. Karl replied with enthusiasm "Yeah!" but Aldrich didn't even look up. I think Aldrich didn't believe I was talking to him, so I'll let that pass.
I went in, and the bed I was sleeping on the night before now had Aldrich and Karl on it. I was sleepy and I tried to fall asleep, but Aldrich and Karl were listening to music still, the light were on, and some porn was on Karl's laptop.
They didn't sleep until around half past 3 o'clock in the morning. When they closed their eyes to sleep, I opened mine. I couldn't sleep, my eyes were just shut. I stared at Aldrich's corner of the room for thirty minutes remembering all the times we've been friends since November 2002. I suddenly dozed off to sleep.
I woke up early on Monday morning and fled to F3 to take a shower and make it to JFH to meet classmates of mine in getting our Course Card in Career Pathing. Ms. Sigari's 10am became 1pm, 1pm became 4pm, 4pm became another day.
I did see waves of my classmates. I wasn't feeling "in" with the general group. We just waited at the Kubo until it got annoying and most of them went home including our Class President. I stayed since I was going home with Jerson.
Aldrich and Karl were at the Rotonda while I was at the HF listening to the announcement of the new Editorial Board. I was caught in conflict if I was to go to the LTS since a slot opened up for me. But it would have been 4-days 3-nights in Batangas starting Tuesday morning. That would mean, I would literally be "absent from home in tanza for a whole week". I wanted to go home, I wanted to stay with the guys, I wanted to go to Batangas and meet these leaders. Aaaaaahhhh!
I had so much pressure in me that I could have bursted. Instead, Kuya Eric helped me decide at HF by listing down the slots once again and listing down the new EB and marking down slots. Two slots came out for non-EB. Maycee, unfortunately didn't make it into the new EB, would be going. Meaning one more slot left... and that one last slot deserves to go to someone who really wants to go. I'm a man with uncertainty coming to that, so I said "Thank you Kuya Eric, I think I've decided not to go."
So, with the weight of a long trip to Batangas off my chest, I now wanted to clear things up even more. I told Aldrich and Karl to stay at the Rotonda (on the cellphone Aldrich said "Rotondee") so I could seriously talk to them about Sunday.
I went there and it would be the first time I addressed emotion and honesty towards Aldrich. I apologized for "being sensitive" the previous day at the mall and would appreciate it if they'd let me fix it. Aldrich and Karl had plans of going to Festival for a third day in a row even if it was almost 6 o'clock in the evening. I now had another decision... stay with Aldrich and Karl and fix up OR go home with classmates Jerson and Jonee, who were patiently waiting on the other side of the Rotonda.
Aldrich and Karl went out to get something to eat, but later txt'd me that they were going to Waltermart to eat and they might not go to Festival. When Jonee found out my problems this past weekend and on Monday, she suddenly said "Uh uh, you're going home with us."
With Jonee's reasoning and Jerson's light Jokes, I was convinced to retire back into Tanza. I felt bitin again by leaving... even if I had gone overtime with the guys this weekend. I packed up quickly at the dorm and then left with Jerson, Jonee, Shiela, and Joanna.
At SM Bacoor, Jonee took a Cavite City-bound baby bus and I took my first babybus ride of 2003 with Jerson. Suddenly outside the window of the backseat, I saw Chope from High School! Actually, we both saw each other at the same time. Chope and a childhood friend boarded the dim babybus and Chope sat next to Jerson. Then Chope and I catched up on talk. Cool.
We all got off at Daang Amaya Crossing, just like old times, and including Chope. Jerson joined me in going home since he might not have anything to do since it was still an early evening (8 o'clock in the evening). I ordered a Super Half-Chicken at Andoks for the first time by myself and we took a Tricycle to get home.
After Jerson surfed the net and after I ate while watching "War in Iraq" the CNN Coverage, he went home. After he went home, I cleaned up my room a bit and suddenly felt a little sad again. I was now isolated again from everyone... I instantly started missing the guys and the outings.
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