Sunday, October 05, 2003
DEJA VU OF EVERYTHING
The Damage Report - Year 2 - Ending Week #17
Background Music: "P.I.M.P." by 50 Cent
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
I DANCED EROTIC this week. It was something I had been dreading all week, but since the performance was rushed things went by okay I guess. I remember dancing erotic with my partner... we both... and it felt hot and I was nervous... I was sweating...
[Rewind to the start of the week]
Monday - The REED103 Outreach Program
I was more late than ever this semester and Teenah was angry at me for the first "official" time. My group for the REED103: Church - Outreach Program, had been waiting at Gate 1 for over an hour. I arrived early Monday morning and rushed to get there but still I was late, very very late.
We traveled to some place of Dasmariñas that I've never been to before. Area J, I believe. We went to classmate Ate Jo's house and unpacked the school supplies we had all purchased. We decided as a group that our Outreach Program was to teach a class of 4-year old children that Ate Jo had access to.
We made our way down the street and onto a jeepnee and arrived at this garage turned into a classroom. The 4-year old kids greeted us innocently in chorus "Good morning vis-it-ors!!". I was in charge of documentation.
We first started off by greeting ourselves and serving the kids cookies and juice. Awww. I took pictures. Afterwards Teenah, Kate, Kay, and Ate Jo began teaching the kids. I took pictures of the kids and of my classmates teaching them basic things.
The feeling was odd at first, suddenly surrounding yourself in a room filled with four year old kids. Then, it started to get cute. As you watched them eat, as you watched them say their names... it was the innocent look in their eyes.
After playing "Trip to Jerusalem" wherein we had to sing songs since the radio wasn't loud enough, we gave out our giveaways. Pencils, Notebooks, Coloring books, the kids held onto their prizes and were dismissed.
Teenah interviewed the teacher. It's a charity kind of thing and the teacher has been teaching in that small garage since 1988. Meaning, the 1988 batch of four year olds are just around our age in College. Woah.
It was right there and then I felt something hit me. My loss of inspiration to write started to draw back piece by piece. I suddenly remembered in journalism we are exposed to different kinds of people. Getting to know the teacher and about her reminded me of the essence of becoming a journalist and of being an aspiring journalist. Although I didn't get all my inspiration to continue writing back right there, I felt nostalgic and recalled all the people I've met ever since the day I decided my calling was in Broadcast Journalism.
We left and we ate at Ate Jo's house. They cooked spam and chicken and it was tasty. I had three rounds of rice. We packed up and headed back to La Salle.
I proceeded to my dorm room and met with some dorm mates. We ate out and in the evening I worked on my Powerpoint Presentation for Basic Computer Operations. It was about "Tatarin and Egyptian Dance", and I was so addicted to it. I put the song "Baby Boy" by Beyonce into it and I had Alex help me burn it onto a CD for submission.
***
Tuesday - Debate and Drinking with Mark
I was tired and I missed both Speech and Comm Theory. I made it to Retorika for my debate (de-ba-teh). We were the first of four groups to debate. And I was the Unang Interpelaytor... basically the first interpeletor in the whole class so I had no sure idea of what I was supposed to do. I only knew what to do based on what I had learned, not what I had seen.
Our topic was about the Pregnancy Policy in La Salle and I was on the Negative Side together with others like Athena, Apple, Eric, Mark, etc. On the affirmative side was Cindy, who was the Unang Pagsasalita and the one I was supposed to question.
I questioned her as best as I could. "Sagot lang OO o HINDI!" I shouted in my imperfect tagalog. According to some people in the class, I had reached a point already with my first three questions. I screwed it up by not providing sure evidence and saying phrases like "Ayon sa... Ayon kay... Sinabi mo kanina...". Damn! And that I spoke english (even if I said "Sa Wikang Ingles... ARE YOU SURE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?").
After our debate, we were dismissed. We lost... oh well. I ate at Fiat with Eric and Kate and had an encounter there... but good thing things are a bit okay now.* Afterwards we went looking for a place where we could view our Powerpoint presentations. We went to Badge's dorm and picked up the others and then we ended up at the net cafe nearest K-Stuff. We were all disappointed since some features didn't show up in our presentations. My CD refused to load on the computer there.
We rushed to Constitution and had a lecture on Article VIII. And in Basic Computer we proceeded to the lab and then viewed our classmates Powerpoint presentations in the dimmed labratory. Sayang... kasi my presentation was about the class and our presentation of Tatarin and the Egyptian Dance... it was on a CD and the lab didn't have any CD-Roms. Comes to show how High Tech the computers in MAH are.
We practiced at the Museo grounds for the Tatarin and Variety Show for Friday's Art Appreciaton requirement. Performing in the show would mean no written exam for the subject. I was in conflict whether or not I would join the Tatarin dance, remove my shirt and wear nothing but cycling shorts and pinetree leaves. I decided, minsan lang ito and it's for the grade. I joined.
After practice I went to the dorms and we ate out at Inazalle. Len sang again like the Tuesday of the previous week. Aldrich joined and it was the first time I saw him with Abbie intentionally... I think. Mark fulfilled his promise to me and it was just the two of us as we poured each other a glass of San Mig Light. I ended up having a little over two bottles, and for the first time, I was able to control my tipsyness... I'm adjusting now! I wasn't that tipsy anymore.
We returned to the dorms and that is all I can remember.
***
Wednesday - On How to make a Theory
I was supposed to join practice at 0930 in the morning but I couldn't get myself out of bed until around noon. I took a shower, bought some food with Tom Wagan, and we both headed off to the Office of the Heraldo Filipino to attend the weekly staff meeting. I haven't attended a staff meeting in weeks, so I knew I was going to get the beating.
Actually, the editors were disappointed not angry... as I somewhat expected. I had legal basis for my absence anyways... like bad academics recently and the dozens of requirements professors have on the students of Broadjourn2-1. It was nice to get an update on things in the office. The La Salleno XI-1 is just about done and Features' Coordinator Joanna, after much hard work, has accomplished it.
We rushed to REED103 and there was supposed to be a long quiz. But then, Sir Aido said the photocopies of the long quiz wasn't available. We were also moved to JFH 209, our future classroom next semester for REED104, since another class had to use the OHP in JFH 201.
After class it was Art Appreciation and we had a long quiz followed by a meeting and a practice for the show.
I couldn't go to the tropa dinner (first absence in quite some time) since I spent the afterschool hours (up until curfew) at the HF office proofreading the La Salleno XI-1 before it was sent to get published. I txt'd Lance, who lost his cellphone this week, to buy me dinner... he forgot so I returned to the dormitory hungry.
I ate my "emergency kit" Nissin Yakisoba Chicken flavor and had two sodas to make-up for a lost dinner. Arrrg Lance. Joke. I created my theory for Communication Theory on Kevin's computer and saved it on a diskette.
***
Thursday - These are the last things
I rushed to NEBO to print my theory and my assignments early morning and was 45 minutes late for Speech and Oral Communication. Mendy and Christian were at NEBO but they somehow went ahead of me. I watched my classmates do their speeches and afterwards we headed to Comm. Theory and had a long quiz there. Ms. M. Sigari "squeezed" the last theory in and completed all sessions leaving the rest up to us for the Finals. In Retorika, I didn't have to attend but I watched the other two groups debate.
I didn't have much of a lunch and in Constitution Mr. R.J. Estrada discussed Articles IX to XI which concluded his sessions as well. And in Basic Computer, Ms. E. dela Cruz announced those who were exempted from taking the exam and that included me. It was the first time to get exempted from something in a very long time.
After class we had practice at the Alumni Building 2nd Floor, the site of our show on Friday. All hopes for achieving that "dream show" was fading away and instead of me working more on the technicals and the stage design, I diverted my energy to practicing how to dance erotic. My partner was Wilda. I was still complaining to everyone of how skinny I was and how I was having 2nd thoughts... yata yata yatta.
I brought in Joel's radio and we started to practice. After practice, which ended as it was dark outside, I headed for the dorms and then found out we'd be eating at the Chinese Place at Square Canteen right across the street. I joined the tropa there and enjoyed eating Sizzling Teriyaki. Rona and her boyfriend Ryan together with William and Joy dropped by and ate. It was a strange feeling having the two sides sit next to each other with me in the middle. My classmates and my tropa...*
We took our time eating there and we sank into our seats during our conversations. We dropped the girls to the E-House and returned to our compound.
I went to my room and the usual scene was there. Jan Arian, Tony, and Alex in the room. Mark joined me and sat with me on my bed. And I told him how deteriorated my friendship is with someone. Mark quickly pointed out important things to keep in mind and to understand. The considerate part of me was revived. The bitterness I had for this person was reversed and put back to normal. Mark restored me before the situation could have gotten far, far worse. With his advice placed into two simple words: "Be civil."
Those two words ignited a flame in me that defrosted my frozen heart towards a friend. Thanks Mark, no one has "saved me" entirely on that issue except you.
I fell asleep, exhausted.
***
Friday - Tatarin, a Variety Show, and then Tadtarin
Once again I was exhausted that I was late for the original call time set by Badge, our director for the show and Class Vice President. I made it to the Museo with Joel and the radio and eventually found myself eating pancit since Kay and them finished their outreach program and had extra. The pancit was delicious, perhaps really delicious since I was hungry. Meanwhile, another school came to the museo for their field trip.
We had a break and we ate at Fiat. After eating at Fiat, we returned to help William carry the VPAPU tripod from the JFH Theater to the Alumni Building 2nd Floor. It was heavy. At the Alumni Building, other classmates and propsmen (er, propswomen) arrived to start working.
Suddenly 3rd Year Psychology students stormed in and we had to give way since they were having a show too for Art Appreciation and they were scheduled before us. The whole JOU2-1 present retreated to JFH while I stayed with Tintin to help her paint the newspapers shaped into rocks. Teenah and Maycee were also with us and working with shaping the newspapers.
We rushed to REED103 and had our last session. We had a long quiz which was open handouts but I didn't have my handouts and borrowing wasn't allowed. Damn! The questions were somewhat practical (about half of them were practical) while the rest were purely objective. We sang the song "Next in Line" and we sang it loud to conclude REED103.
After making these boxes out of paper where we wrote answers to three questions of reflection, we rushed to the Alumni Building. Well, I mean... they did. I rushed to my dorm to get into my cycling shorts and to wear my formal wear since it's my first costume for Tatarin. I rushed to the Alumni Hall only to find classmates scrambling since the show had to start even if the stage wasn't ready.
I was frustrated! The show had to go on since another section had to use the venue after us. Shit! All the practice and we wearn't given the chance to perform our best. Damn. Tatarin happened and I was backstage going crazy over the sequencing, which blew up in my head. I danced with Kay in the formal wear and then I went backstage, stripped down to my cycling shorts, and had Mark assist me in putting on the palm tree leaves skirt thing.
And to say, the only actual audience was our professor in Art Appreciation, our professor in REED103 Mrs. M. Planas, and Kuya Rheyan (again!). The others were the incoming section that needed the stage badly. And those in JOU2-1 that wearn't performing where also in the audience.
Our part came and I felt so numb as I danced half-naked onto the stage area... which by the way, had no special lighting... it was just flourescent light which just makes me look more whiter... and obviously more skinnier. Yuck. But who cares, the objective was not to act stupid. If I looked stupid, I looked stupid. But if I looked stupid and acted good, I would be an actor.
I removed all my inhibitions and danced erotic. I closed my eyes... I caressed Wilda's arms and her sides... I gasped for air... I stared into her eyes... all in the name of art!! Take that Art Appreciation!! Woohoo!!
The 30 seconds of intense dancing ended with our classmate Jeff's shout "Guadalupe!!".
I rushed backstage and suited up in my formal wear and took a peek of who was on stage. Tatarin was finished and now the "JOU2-1's Teatro Four" were performing. Athena did this daring "Wag papa!! Wag!!" as she was mentally being raped by her "father".
After they performed I went to the audience area and joined Joel and them. Ate Angge and Kate Quisumbing each performed a song and then Ayesha, Apple, Ara, and Cindy did a Filipiniana Dance number... only to be cut off by our professor since we were out of time. Nats, Bianca, Kate Quisumbing, and them did another dance number, and had to cut it short too. And the grand finale, "TAD-TA-RIN".
Watching the spoof of "Tatarin" was humourous. Although it made me wonder if it had a political side to it on behalf of Broadjourn2-1. I mean, visually all those involved in "Tad-ta-rin" were the part of the class that had fully supported the Variety Show idea instead of re-staging Tatarin. Were they making fun of some people in the class?
I wouldn't think of it that way, but it does make you wonder. But heck, thoughts like that would dissolve into the humorous short skit done by members of the class.
Charmagne looked like a maniac in the middle as she chopped something invisible. People tried to stop her, suddenly Ara comes in holding a tranquilizer. She tranquilizes everyone except Charmagne and Bianca, who danced in like Dina Bonnievie (we all know Bianca has that Sex Appeal and how she could've carried the role of Dina Bonnievie in our TATARIN this past semester but she didn't want to). Bianca shaked her butt and was tranquilized while holding this giant stuffed bear. Charmagne was tranquilized by Ara eventually and suddenly the whole JOU2-1 was screaming when Ara climbed on top of the table and danced like Beyonce on "Crazy in Love". We were screaming because she entered the scene all conservative, and then she suddenly does something like that.
And then the grand conclusion, classmate Guiller enters and does a semi-sexy dance for Ara and then the show ended.
We rushed to clear the place of our props. All our hardwork was just rushed in the end. It was visually a disaster but the effort was perfect. I give the class a 4.00 for Efforts in putting the show up, but the show itself would get a 1.50. It was disappointing. But heck, it was over at last. We had a meeting outside on the first floor and I helped Tope and Guiller deliver the props back to the Stock room of Teatro and VPAPU.
The silence is broken
I returned to my dorm room and then Lance, Mark, and I joined Basil and Gail and we decided to eat out at Waltermart McDo. Kevin appeared with Aldrich, Mik, and Mik's classmate that we didn't know.
Taking in the advice from Mark, I spoke to Aldrich for the first time with genuine feeling. The last time I spoke to him was two weeks ago (I think) but even then I only spoke to him because I had to or it was just for the sake of it. I haven't looked him in the eye and spoken to him in about a month. But it was in McDo on Friday night and after Mark's advice on Thursday night, that I spoke to Aldrich.
Wait... hold on. All I said and asked was: "Aldrich... are you going to the dorm?"
He looked and answered and that was it. Just a few words to some people, but for others it could be eternity just burning. Taking note with Mark's advice, the problem isn't exactly solved. It's just been diverted to something else that won't affect the whole tropa. If my silence towards that friend of mine continued, it would destroy one part of the tropa slowly and bit by bit. At least, now, there's breathing room.
We returned to the dorms and I had Kevin and Lance sleep in my room since Alex and Kyle went home. Kevin was playing FFX and I fell asleep.
Saturday was just spent waking up around noon, cleaning the room, and having lunch at 3 o'clock in the afternoon again like on previous Saturdays. I got picked up and we went to church at bayan.
That ends the week.
Title explained: Deju Vu of Everything? The Outreach Program in REED103 on Monday reminded me of the NSTP days during 1st Year College. Tatarin on Friday during the show was the third time the class performed it. Dancing half naked (erotic) was reminiscent of dancing half naked at the oval during the Egyptian dance. The Variety Show on Friday after Tatarin was like a Part 2 of the Variety Show done by our class exactly a year ago for Literature of the Philippines.
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