Friday, January 31, 2003
THE WORST OF EMPERORS
The Damage Report - End of Week #29
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"Kung hei fat'choy!"
My addiction has stabbed the best of me. My obsession with building the ideal, perfect, utopian Chinese Haven during the Middle Ages has resulted in nothing but three absenses in two different classes.
I'm talking about playing the game [Emperor] which can be found in Alex and Lance's computers. All the evenings of the week is nothing but excitement to playing this game. I've never been so addicted to a video game since Final Fantasy IX back in 3rd Year High School.
Generally the past week has been spent on studying and cramming subjects. So far things are looking steady and stable as we lead into the Midterms next week.
I did not log-in once to the HF this week, a bad record made. Why? I couldn't tolerate the overload of articles and researching to do for the Heraldo when the Midterms and all JOU1-1 studying (remember my rule: JOU1-1-Academics over HF all the time except in dire emergencies) is to take place within this one week. I was also tired from the practicing of the Mass Demo and the whole Lasallian Days over the past two weeks. So it all came down this week.
Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out took place on Monday and Thursday nights' as scheduled. We ate out at inAzalle Chix-on-Stix on Monday night. A complete cast that had two tables connected. On Thursday night, Badge was sick and Teenah was at Robinsons Imus... so Danielle, Upper, dorm mate Joel, and I were the only ones. The four of us enjoyed Shawarmas next to the Highway.
MONDAY, JANUARY 27 - Gotta Build That City
I basically spent Monday listening in Chemistry, Career Pathing, and evaluating our professor in Intensive English. We got our essays back and the three writers in the class for the HF didn't reach any line of 9. However, a lot of our other classmates received good scores and it made me smile (instead of frown at my lower grade of 84) since it prooves that my classmates are also good in writing and that we are truly a "Broadcast Journalism" class.
In the evening it was at inAzalle for Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out. And then I returned to the dorm and wanted to play [Emperor] and I even didn't want to sleep for the first time. But around 0230 in the morning, my beautiful city went bankrupt for a reason of lacking hemp. It was frustrating! It made me go to sleep and...
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 - To Robinsons and Back with Aldrich
...miss CommArts (English) at 0700 hrs. I couldn't get myself out of bed until around 1100 in the morning! I was just so tired and confined that I stayed in bed. Aldrich came into the room and asked me to go to Robinsons Imus with him since he needs to buy a flower for Mikhail so Mikhail could give it to his girlfriend, since they are celebrating their 3rd Monthsary.
I refused to go, already guilty that I had missed CommArts. But then I realized that JOU1-1 just had a make-up class in Sociology and that our professor is so organized she's given us reviewers in the form of custom hand-outs that she will just explain about. I also grew a craving for having lunch at Burger King.
I would find myself in Robinsons Imus with Aldrich and I would develop my 24-shot film about the Mass Demo practices and portions of the parade. Aldrich tried on some expensive shades, and we both ate at Burger King.
I wish I had a best friend who'd go to a distant mall and buy something for me to give to my girlfriend. Um, wait... I need a girlfriend first. ^_^
We left Robinsons Imus for La Salle at exactly 1400hrs (2pm) and that's when NSTP-CWTSP starts back in La Salle! But since I believe we are going on-location, the jeepnees don't leave until around 1430hrs (2:30pm). We arrived in La Salle just as my classmates were leaving the SBC/LCDC wearing their NSTP uniforms. After missing all two classes with them, I already missed them.
We went to Bgy. Bautista and I spoke to my family (Ate Rose). It was fun sharing. I also enjoyed crunchy green mango's on sticks for only a piso each, together with classmate Christine Real.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29 -
Believe it or not, but I could barely remember Wednesday! I just remember that it had a lot of quizzes involved in it in basically all the subjects. In the evening I saw the back of Fiat for the first time as Jonee showed me her dorm and I saw our class representatives for the CAD Dance Competition practicing there. Mark Calvento (shiftee into JOU1-1 from COM1-1) was there. It's right behind Fiat!
I ate at Fiat with Danielle and Joel and Teenah was with her boyfriend. That was basically it other than resuming construction of a city I mapped out during a boring Biological Sciences class for [Emperor].
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 - Grilled Shawarma on a Cold Night
I woke up late, believe it or not! I missed my last English class of the Midterms! I missed a group recitation and presentation! I also missed a 20-25 item quiz. Ahhhhh!!!
I made it to Sociology and it was ok. I will miss Ms. Lacancale... she's so good in teaching her subject!! Aww... (our original prof is returning from maternal leave).
And the most splendid event of all.....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 - Say NO to War!
The Damage Report - End of Week #29
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"Kung hei fat'choy!"
My addiction has stabbed the best of me. My obsession with building the ideal, perfect, utopian Chinese Haven during the Middle Ages has resulted in nothing but three absenses in two different classes.
I'm talking about playing the game [Emperor] which can be found in Alex and Lance's computers. All the evenings of the week is nothing but excitement to playing this game. I've never been so addicted to a video game since Final Fantasy IX back in 3rd Year High School.
Generally the past week has been spent on studying and cramming subjects. So far things are looking steady and stable as we lead into the Midterms next week.
I did not log-in once to the HF this week, a bad record made. Why? I couldn't tolerate the overload of articles and researching to do for the Heraldo when the Midterms and all JOU1-1 studying (remember my rule: JOU1-1-Academics over HF all the time except in dire emergencies) is to take place within this one week. I was also tired from the practicing of the Mass Demo and the whole Lasallian Days over the past two weeks. So it all came down this week.
Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out took place on Monday and Thursday nights' as scheduled. We ate out at inAzalle Chix-on-Stix on Monday night. A complete cast that had two tables connected. On Thursday night, Badge was sick and Teenah was at Robinsons Imus... so Danielle, Upper, dorm mate Joel, and I were the only ones. The four of us enjoyed Shawarmas next to the Highway.
MONDAY, JANUARY 27 - Gotta Build That City
I basically spent Monday listening in Chemistry, Career Pathing, and evaluating our professor in Intensive English. We got our essays back and the three writers in the class for the HF didn't reach any line of 9. However, a lot of our other classmates received good scores and it made me smile (instead of frown at my lower grade of 84) since it prooves that my classmates are also good in writing and that we are truly a "Broadcast Journalism" class.
In the evening it was at inAzalle for Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out. And then I returned to the dorm and wanted to play [Emperor] and I even didn't want to sleep for the first time. But around 0230 in the morning, my beautiful city went bankrupt for a reason of lacking hemp. It was frustrating! It made me go to sleep and...
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 - To Robinsons and Back with Aldrich
...miss CommArts (English) at 0700 hrs. I couldn't get myself out of bed until around 1100 in the morning! I was just so tired and confined that I stayed in bed. Aldrich came into the room and asked me to go to Robinsons Imus with him since he needs to buy a flower for Mikhail so Mikhail could give it to his girlfriend, since they are celebrating their 3rd Monthsary.
I refused to go, already guilty that I had missed CommArts. But then I realized that JOU1-1 just had a make-up class in Sociology and that our professor is so organized she's given us reviewers in the form of custom hand-outs that she will just explain about. I also grew a craving for having lunch at Burger King.
I would find myself in Robinsons Imus with Aldrich and I would develop my 24-shot film about the Mass Demo practices and portions of the parade. Aldrich tried on some expensive shades, and we both ate at Burger King.
I wish I had a best friend who'd go to a distant mall and buy something for me to give to my girlfriend. Um, wait... I need a girlfriend first. ^_^
We left Robinsons Imus for La Salle at exactly 1400hrs (2pm) and that's when NSTP-CWTSP starts back in La Salle! But since I believe we are going on-location, the jeepnees don't leave until around 1430hrs (2:30pm). We arrived in La Salle just as my classmates were leaving the SBC/LCDC wearing their NSTP uniforms. After missing all two classes with them, I already missed them.
We went to Bgy. Bautista and I spoke to my family (Ate Rose). It was fun sharing. I also enjoyed crunchy green mango's on sticks for only a piso each, together with classmate Christine Real.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29 -
Believe it or not, but I could barely remember Wednesday! I just remember that it had a lot of quizzes involved in it in basically all the subjects. In the evening I saw the back of Fiat for the first time as Jonee showed me her dorm and I saw our class representatives for the CAD Dance Competition practicing there. Mark Calvento (shiftee into JOU1-1 from COM1-1) was there. It's right behind Fiat!
I ate at Fiat with Danielle and Joel and Teenah was with her boyfriend. That was basically it other than resuming construction of a city I mapped out during a boring Biological Sciences class for [Emperor].
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 - Grilled Shawarma on a Cold Night
I woke up late, believe it or not! I missed my last English class of the Midterms! I missed a group recitation and presentation! I also missed a 20-25 item quiz. Ahhhhh!!!
I made it to Sociology and it was ok. I will miss Ms. Lacancale... she's so good in teaching her subject!! Aww... (our original prof is returning from maternal leave).
And the most splendid event of all.....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 - Say NO to War!
Sunday, January 26, 2003
SNAP BACK TO REALITY
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #29
NOTE: A Weekly post made before moving back into my Dorm in La Salle on Sunday nights.
Oh! There goes gravity.
The last week of the Midterms prior to the Midterm examinations is this week. Almost all subjects have barely discussed anything longer than one or two chapters. With all the Lasallian Days 2003 practices, the Lasallian Days itself, and how the 2nd Sem Midterm is the shortest term in a school year, it means extra cramming this week.
I'm hoping I can restore the Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out on Monday and Thursday night. And then go to the gym M-W-F with Alex, Vince, Joel, and who else is interested. I'm also hoping I can successfully submit all assigned articles to the Heraldo Filipino.
About the depressive feeling I've had that has conflicted with my "positive aura", it's slowly returning all back to normal again. I've spoken about this problem to someone I can trust already and so far the advice she's given me is my antidote to drinking and feeling more depressed. I can very well say that things are going good again.
I'm moving into my dorm tonight and hopefully I can accomplish the creation of articles towards the LSX (Lasalleño X). A few hours of playing EMPEROR (that addictive game on constructing a city, historically) and a few minutes of reviewing for Chemistry tomorrow will do.
Let's calm things down. Relax a bit. The celebrations are over and now it's time to dive back into a normal week and snap back into reality.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #29
NOTE: A Weekly post made before moving back into my Dorm in La Salle on Sunday nights.
Oh! There goes gravity.
The last week of the Midterms prior to the Midterm examinations is this week. Almost all subjects have barely discussed anything longer than one or two chapters. With all the Lasallian Days 2003 practices, the Lasallian Days itself, and how the 2nd Sem Midterm is the shortest term in a school year, it means extra cramming this week.
I'm hoping I can restore the Broadjourn Dormers' Night Out on Monday and Thursday night. And then go to the gym M-W-F with Alex, Vince, Joel, and who else is interested. I'm also hoping I can successfully submit all assigned articles to the Heraldo Filipino.
About the depressive feeling I've had that has conflicted with my "positive aura", it's slowly returning all back to normal again. I've spoken about this problem to someone I can trust already and so far the advice she's given me is my antidote to drinking and feeling more depressed. I can very well say that things are going good again.
I'm moving into my dorm tonight and hopefully I can accomplish the creation of articles towards the LSX (Lasalleño X). A few hours of playing EMPEROR (that addictive game on constructing a city, historically) and a few minutes of reviewing for Chemistry tomorrow will do.
Let's calm things down. Relax a bit. The celebrations are over and now it's time to dive back into a normal week and snap back into reality.
Saturday, January 25, 2003
ANG PAMILYANG LASALYANO
The Damage Report - End of Week #28
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"Oh, that's how it's like."
The Lasallian Days 2003 are over. Just like that.
I'm left half-pleased and half-disappointed. I didn't expect much from the Lasallian Days. Yes, it is the "Foundation Week" of La Salle celebrating 15 years of Lasallian influence and 25 years of property existance. But, basically, that was it.
The class did our part as we participated in the Mass Demonstrations on Tuesday along with the rest of Freshmen CLA. Other colleges have spent over a week practicing and each practice consumed classroom time.
MONDAY, JANUARY 20 - Eve of the Lasallian Days
One whole day of General Rehearsals. No Chemistry to start the week off, nada. I moved into La Salle on Monday morning instead of Sunday night. I arrived in the dormitories around 9 o'clock and yet I couldn't get the drive and energy to get me to the Oval where my fellow freshmen CLA and my classmates were practicing.
Instead, I did finishing touches to two articles for the HF which were due. The articles about Mr. Rommel Rodriguez as the AFP Cadet Officer of the Year and the FA Newly Elected Officers data.
I joined three of my classmates together with Joel at Square Canteen during the rehearsals' Lunch period. I noticed that most of the other colleges' freshmen still had to wear a uniform for their General Rehearsals. Meaning, you could easily map out "CLA" with those you would see walking around wearing civilian and wearing hats.
Afterwards we rehearsed at the Oval and we had the main field for the whole afternoon. The heat was tremendous and we all got sun burns. We also had additional people suddenly throw themselves into our once-perfected performance that we had at the end of the previous week. Now, with additional people, we looked a little loose and our sharpness dissolved.
That's what we spent the whole afternoon doing. Trying to sharpen our moves once again. We finally completed the actual performance thing and CBA lined themselves up since the Oval was their main practice venue. We headed off to one side of the Oval and the sun started to set. There we did two or three dry runs of the entire performance. About ten minutes after the sun had set, we were called to gather around the Choreographer and the CLA Officers present, as well as Dean Garcia, to talk about the festivities of the following day.
In the evening, we ate out at Jatayna's. Alex, Vince, and Joel. Dorm mates. Broadjourn Dormers' night out which is scheduled on Monday and Thursday nights would be cancelled this week due to the many tiring activities.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21 - Best in Overall Performance
The dawn of the Lasallian Days. Fog down the Acacia Avenue as Joel and I made our way down and across the booths set up at the Plaza. The assembly point of CLA Freshmen was at the CLA Grounds or right in front of JFH. There, rooms were assigned for the boys and the girls to deposit their bags. I was in search for a person I could trust to take pictures of this event. It was Kuya Chris, english-speaking, of 3rd Year AB Comm. I trusted him and I know he loves to take pictures too, so I handed him the 8 shots and told him to distribute it evenly throughout the parade and the performance at the Oval.
We did a dry run of the cha-cha-cha portion of our performance in front of JFH. Receiving a few cheers from upperclassmen CLA who were seated at the kubos. The parade began and we went all around the campus. I noted the College of Business Administration (CBA) were wearing all white and the College of Science (COS) were wearing what they spent P380 on... a yellow and orange costume which looked awesome.
We were the only college to have our own Marching Band lead us down the streets of La Salle. We finally arrived at the Oval and we had our own "in-the-mood cheer" as we marched around and into our spot. It was funny how the marching band played to their loudest as we marched up until the announcer said "And now all in white... the College of Business Administration" and then, just like that, the marching band stopped playing and the CBA marched in with silence.
One by one the colleges performed. The three main contenders would be the CLA naturally since you can find many performers in Liberal Arts, COS since they have been practicing a lot of times already and their costume was bright and outstanding, and CBA since they are the title-holders, most populated college at DLSU-D, suited in white with "Die Another Day" as their performance.
The other colleges, although I believe wearn't as more prepared than CLA, COS, and CBA... were the colleges closest to the theme of this year's Lasallian Days, "Pamilyang Lasalyano". The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) won "Most Organized" since their shape in the Performance Area was a solid-diamond. The College of International Hospitality and Management (CIHM) won "Most Creative" while the College of Law Enforcement (CLE) bagged "Most Innovative" with connecting their performance to their future career in Law Enforcement. They had sirens going on, cops chasing bad guys, and they made Nelly's "Hot in Herre" into a musical with their choreography. The College of Education (COE) won "Most Relative to the Theme" since they performed wearing different clothes of society. A Family, some Nuns, students in uniform, lots of civilian clothes. They had made backgrounds and their own cardboard jeepnee. It was a classic performance.
Then it came down to the top three contenders. The College of Science (COS) had one colorful performance however since it was a perfect square they formed, their moves sometimes wearn't in sync. It was a well-crafted performance, but what seemed to make it real good was only what they where wearing. I personally liked some of their moves though... it was interesting. They got the doctors and nurses dancing. They would eventually win what would be expected: "Best in Costume Design"
Now it came down to the last two colleges. Yes, we were among the last two to perform. CLA performed second to last which was CBA. After waiting under the hot morning sun we finally made our way in after CET finished.
Inside our performance I think it did good. Everyone was wearing all-black. Then the boys would be wearing red-tela and a freshly painted red woven-hat while the girls would be wearing gray-tela and a freshly painted yellow woven-hat. The "five mothers" had a larger tela that was bright yellow and their headgear was the same as the boys. I wasn't that confident since our costume looked extremely "cheap" at first compared to COS and to the prepared fans and all-white turn out that the CBA had. However, according to people who saw CLA perform from the Grandstand, our performance was "cute" and awesome with all the flying around.
The "peaceful" Lord of the Rings music portion at the start of our performance was executed well. The girls looked soft and cute with their hand gestures like birds in the wind. Classmates Mendy and Ayesha led groups B and D, both at the front and center, during the five mothers portion. They did great. Then the music would dramatically change and the CLA guys situated on the four corners would storm into the center of the performance area causing havoc as the girls would go screaming to their next blocking.
I guess I would finally agree with our choreographer that the "guys attacking the girls" was what spiced up the performance. After the interpretation half of our performance, we headed to our next blocking and began the "Ibigay mo na!" cha-cha-cha dance. It was fun doing so. It was, I don't know why it was just so fun... but all that hardship and meeting of new people from other courses within CLA all just pay'd off when we danced as one College and one Family there.
It was a successful performance and Ate Angge and Kuya Rheyan who didn't perform with us but watched from the distance said that they observed our Dean as he was sitting on the Grandstand. The Dean was bopping his head to the beat of the music, perhaps proud of his college that he will only lead up until May of this year since his term ends then.
As CBA made their way in from the back, CLA cheered "C-L-A!" as we exited. Tired and Thirsty we made our way to any shade (the covered walk). CBA executed well but according to dorm mates in CBA, the ending of the CBA Performance had so many flaws it undermined the rest of their performance. Nice Madonna-judo-fencing whatever thing with the arnis sticks.
Although we were tired after the CBA performance, those who remained in the Oval area gathered around the Grandstand as they announced the winners as I've mentioned above.
After COS was awarded the "Best in Costume Design", the mood was a bit depressing. They had handed five awards already and CLA and CBA were left. We couldn't tell if we would still be awarded, or were we going to be awarded last place, or perhaps top two. It was confusion up until they announced "Best in Choreography" to CBA. Instantly the CLA freshmen (about 50 of us that remained) started to scream. All the colleges were awarded except us. Meaning the third of the special awards would be given to us. Since all colleges get awards.
"BEST IN OVERALL PERFORMANCE" left CLA freshmen present jumping like crazy. I couldn't believe it!
***
We went to JFH to sign attendance and to pick up our bags, as well as change back into our normal clothes. Then, even if we were all tired, went to visit the OPEN HOUSE of the dormitories.
We first stopped at my dorm room and we took pictures, and I did have a short episode about the camera which was malfunctioning again. I fixed the problem and saved the film and continued to take pictures. It was a unique event. All the other rooms had different people in them and my room mate Jan was with his girlfriend.
After spending around 30-45 minutes in my room, we proceeded to Tina's dormitory in Dorm-2, Right Wing, Room 3. Yes, it's that complicated! Yikes. We took a few pictures and proceeded into the New Dormitory which was huge. Danielle and Katz abandoned their dormitories during the Lasallian Days so we headed upstairs into Upper's room and there we enjoyed some delicious Graham Cake in which she made. We took more pictures.
Eventually we would end up in my dorm before they would disperse. And we landed back in my room with a drunken dorm mate Karl, and two classmates Ara and Aye. I won't be ashamed to broadcast their names here. They are my classmates that acted irresponsibly. My other classmates noticed how silent and furious I was at all parties involved in their drinking. Including, first of all, a dorm mate in F7.
My classmates and I spent the last thirty minutes of the OPEN HOUSE trying to fix Ara and Ayesha for their commute home and for escaping the school by not throwing up in the middle of the road. Instead of resting or talking, we were dealing with heating water, making coffee, and just sitting and staring up at Ara and Aye, drunk, perhaps exaggerating a bit, I don't know.
A few more pictures later and I dropped them to the gate and across the street. I returned to the E-House area with Joel and Tina and we took yet again another picture. That ended the OPEN HOUSE, it went by so quickly.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 - Meeting another Broadjourn Section
Nothing much happened on the second day of the Lasallian Days. Well, that would be in the morning and afternoon which I had spent going with Maycee around campus trying to schedule events of the other colleges for the third and last day of the Lasallian Days. I also spent time meeting Ate Mich of Broadjourn 2-1. It's now official, the once merged COM2-4 and JOU2-1 has now split since they have different majors. Awesome. We now have a JOU2-1 and those pioneers look stronger since they're doing coverage this past week. Other than that, the only other highlight of Wednesday was in the evening with the ROTONDA PARTY by the USC.
This was the most interesting party of La Salle. Although the University Policy that no institutional event is to surpass the 8 o'clock events curfew time, this party just did it's best. All parties like this should start at 8 o'clock, not end at 8 o'clock. That is what makes our University so twisted. Parties end at 8. It's driving me crazy.
It was highlighted mainly by a Human Auction. Supposedly there were to be many girls, but everytime I was there they were auctioning guys. Basically I didn't join the 200, 300 something crowd that stood and looked at the stage which was set up at the Rotonda right behind the statue of St. La Salle. It was awkward to look up and see the performers or the bands play at the same time look at the back of that gray statue of St. John the Baptist de la Salle. I had many VPAPU flashbacks with the BeatBox that was present and a spotlight mounted in front of St. La Salle. I took a picture but it didn't develop since it was still too dim.
I didn't enjoy the party, but I enjoyed watching it. About 20% of the Rotonda was used, and that was the stage. Another 50% of it was just this void of silence where we could sit and just watch the other half partying. We had pictures taken.
A highlight here was when classmate Charmagne Kaye Diaz (2nd Runner-up in Bb. La Salle this year) suddenly appeared out of no where and popped on stage from wherever part of the crowd she came from. My classmates gathered suddenly and we started calling for her from the side but she didn't hear us.
She was buying, not being auctioned. She was buying the 2-for-1 package of guys there. She joked to the audience as she confidently stood on the stage. She joked "she'd give the two guys to Bianca (also a classmate) since she already has a boyfriend". At least Charmagne was honest with the audience and to her boyfriend. It projected smiles and laughter among classmates.
And that was that.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 - Each College has It's own Celebration
I was tired, I was growing lazy. I have things to cover for the HF. Great.
A slow morning indeed as I couldn't get out off bed after being awake already for two or three hours. I was just there half-asleep, half-awake... resting. My back, my butt, all aching with all the walking. And now, more walking to do!
I was only encouraged since I knew my classmates would only be in school in the morning. So I knew, if I wanted to see them, I had to get out of bed and make my way to JFH where the CLA DAY was taking place.
I did so and joined my classmates at the JFH area where I found some of them participating in games. Kate was playing that Paper Game and the two drunk princesses' Ara and Aye were climbing on top of JOU1-1's Pagbasa at Pagsulat professor, Dr. Lakandupil Garcia. I wasn't totally shocked at how they looked like, perhaps due to my other worries.
Much of the class used the fully-excused-from-classes day (due to CLA Day) to do their field research. Four groups in class would disperse towards the four corners of Cavite for researching in Pagbasa at Pagsulat.
So when they left, I was with Joel the whole time. I had things to cover and I spent the whole afternoon walking from building to building, dragging Basil and Joel along, as I tried to cover events for the HF. I was assigned to CET and CBA.
But I was totally out of the mood. My depression from the previous week returned, pulled me down, made me even more tired than how tired I should have been.
I couldn't cover but I requested for a data sheet and summary from CET. For the Symposiums and the CBA, I failed to accomplish coverage. But since this isn't a weekly or daily newspaper I'm working for. Since it's a broadsheet not a newscast. I can just drop by the respective Student Council offices of CBA and CET on Monday and conduct a few interviews about what they did.
Lasallian Days 2003, to me, ended quietly in the dorms. I was tired and needed sleep before starting a normal Friday.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 - Battle against the Sleepiness and the Sadness
The school returned to normal. It was a Friday. Fresh Uniforms were back and classes went by normally. Absolutely no highlights I could think of.
Just a conversation with my classmate Jhen. Just the two of us in the not-so-crowded Friday late-afternoon setting in front of the depressing DPH circular shed. I confessed my problem that made me depressed all towards Jhen. I didn't know, but just letting her know how I stupid I was feeling towards a friend of mine was just the solution. I just needed to be heard. I just needed someone to say "if this person shares this info with you, that means the two of you are already good and close and trusted friends."
Just hearing those words lifted the depression and shroud over me. I was okay again, perhaps for the evening.
Friday night I was txt-crazy trying to contact classmates in Foreign Filipino if there was class on Saturday since the professor said there might not be any. There isn't any according to the professor when I got a hold of her cellphone number. I received her message well on the way home down the cold and dark streets in front of Paradahan, Tanza where my High School Best Friend Bryan used to live at.
That concludes such a tiring week. It could have been better. It could have been worse.
The Damage Report - End of Week #28
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"Oh, that's how it's like."
The Lasallian Days 2003 are over. Just like that.
I'm left half-pleased and half-disappointed. I didn't expect much from the Lasallian Days. Yes, it is the "Foundation Week" of La Salle celebrating 15 years of Lasallian influence and 25 years of property existance. But, basically, that was it.
The class did our part as we participated in the Mass Demonstrations on Tuesday along with the rest of Freshmen CLA. Other colleges have spent over a week practicing and each practice consumed classroom time.
MONDAY, JANUARY 20 - Eve of the Lasallian Days
One whole day of General Rehearsals. No Chemistry to start the week off, nada. I moved into La Salle on Monday morning instead of Sunday night. I arrived in the dormitories around 9 o'clock and yet I couldn't get the drive and energy to get me to the Oval where my fellow freshmen CLA and my classmates were practicing.
Instead, I did finishing touches to two articles for the HF which were due. The articles about Mr. Rommel Rodriguez as the AFP Cadet Officer of the Year and the FA Newly Elected Officers data.
I joined three of my classmates together with Joel at Square Canteen during the rehearsals' Lunch period. I noticed that most of the other colleges' freshmen still had to wear a uniform for their General Rehearsals. Meaning, you could easily map out "CLA" with those you would see walking around wearing civilian and wearing hats.
Afterwards we rehearsed at the Oval and we had the main field for the whole afternoon. The heat was tremendous and we all got sun burns. We also had additional people suddenly throw themselves into our once-perfected performance that we had at the end of the previous week. Now, with additional people, we looked a little loose and our sharpness dissolved.
That's what we spent the whole afternoon doing. Trying to sharpen our moves once again. We finally completed the actual performance thing and CBA lined themselves up since the Oval was their main practice venue. We headed off to one side of the Oval and the sun started to set. There we did two or three dry runs of the entire performance. About ten minutes after the sun had set, we were called to gather around the Choreographer and the CLA Officers present, as well as Dean Garcia, to talk about the festivities of the following day.
In the evening, we ate out at Jatayna's. Alex, Vince, and Joel. Dorm mates. Broadjourn Dormers' night out which is scheduled on Monday and Thursday nights would be cancelled this week due to the many tiring activities.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21 - Best in Overall Performance
The dawn of the Lasallian Days. Fog down the Acacia Avenue as Joel and I made our way down and across the booths set up at the Plaza. The assembly point of CLA Freshmen was at the CLA Grounds or right in front of JFH. There, rooms were assigned for the boys and the girls to deposit their bags. I was in search for a person I could trust to take pictures of this event. It was Kuya Chris, english-speaking, of 3rd Year AB Comm. I trusted him and I know he loves to take pictures too, so I handed him the 8 shots and told him to distribute it evenly throughout the parade and the performance at the Oval.
We did a dry run of the cha-cha-cha portion of our performance in front of JFH. Receiving a few cheers from upperclassmen CLA who were seated at the kubos. The parade began and we went all around the campus. I noted the College of Business Administration (CBA) were wearing all white and the College of Science (COS) were wearing what they spent P380 on... a yellow and orange costume which looked awesome.
We were the only college to have our own Marching Band lead us down the streets of La Salle. We finally arrived at the Oval and we had our own "in-the-mood cheer" as we marched around and into our spot. It was funny how the marching band played to their loudest as we marched up until the announcer said "And now all in white... the College of Business Administration" and then, just like that, the marching band stopped playing and the CBA marched in with silence.
One by one the colleges performed. The three main contenders would be the CLA naturally since you can find many performers in Liberal Arts, COS since they have been practicing a lot of times already and their costume was bright and outstanding, and CBA since they are the title-holders, most populated college at DLSU-D, suited in white with "Die Another Day" as their performance.
The other colleges, although I believe wearn't as more prepared than CLA, COS, and CBA... were the colleges closest to the theme of this year's Lasallian Days, "Pamilyang Lasalyano". The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) won "Most Organized" since their shape in the Performance Area was a solid-diamond. The College of International Hospitality and Management (CIHM) won "Most Creative" while the College of Law Enforcement (CLE) bagged "Most Innovative" with connecting their performance to their future career in Law Enforcement. They had sirens going on, cops chasing bad guys, and they made Nelly's "Hot in Herre" into a musical with their choreography. The College of Education (COE) won "Most Relative to the Theme" since they performed wearing different clothes of society. A Family, some Nuns, students in uniform, lots of civilian clothes. They had made backgrounds and their own cardboard jeepnee. It was a classic performance.
Then it came down to the top three contenders. The College of Science (COS) had one colorful performance however since it was a perfect square they formed, their moves sometimes wearn't in sync. It was a well-crafted performance, but what seemed to make it real good was only what they where wearing. I personally liked some of their moves though... it was interesting. They got the doctors and nurses dancing. They would eventually win what would be expected: "Best in Costume Design"
Now it came down to the last two colleges. Yes, we were among the last two to perform. CLA performed second to last which was CBA. After waiting under the hot morning sun we finally made our way in after CET finished.
Inside our performance I think it did good. Everyone was wearing all-black. Then the boys would be wearing red-tela and a freshly painted red woven-hat while the girls would be wearing gray-tela and a freshly painted yellow woven-hat. The "five mothers" had a larger tela that was bright yellow and their headgear was the same as the boys. I wasn't that confident since our costume looked extremely "cheap" at first compared to COS and to the prepared fans and all-white turn out that the CBA had. However, according to people who saw CLA perform from the Grandstand, our performance was "cute" and awesome with all the flying around.
The "peaceful" Lord of the Rings music portion at the start of our performance was executed well. The girls looked soft and cute with their hand gestures like birds in the wind. Classmates Mendy and Ayesha led groups B and D, both at the front and center, during the five mothers portion. They did great. Then the music would dramatically change and the CLA guys situated on the four corners would storm into the center of the performance area causing havoc as the girls would go screaming to their next blocking.
I guess I would finally agree with our choreographer that the "guys attacking the girls" was what spiced up the performance. After the interpretation half of our performance, we headed to our next blocking and began the "Ibigay mo na!" cha-cha-cha dance. It was fun doing so. It was, I don't know why it was just so fun... but all that hardship and meeting of new people from other courses within CLA all just pay'd off when we danced as one College and one Family there.
It was a successful performance and Ate Angge and Kuya Rheyan who didn't perform with us but watched from the distance said that they observed our Dean as he was sitting on the Grandstand. The Dean was bopping his head to the beat of the music, perhaps proud of his college that he will only lead up until May of this year since his term ends then.
As CBA made their way in from the back, CLA cheered "C-L-A!" as we exited. Tired and Thirsty we made our way to any shade (the covered walk). CBA executed well but according to dorm mates in CBA, the ending of the CBA Performance had so many flaws it undermined the rest of their performance. Nice Madonna-judo-fencing whatever thing with the arnis sticks.
Although we were tired after the CBA performance, those who remained in the Oval area gathered around the Grandstand as they announced the winners as I've mentioned above.
After COS was awarded the "Best in Costume Design", the mood was a bit depressing. They had handed five awards already and CLA and CBA were left. We couldn't tell if we would still be awarded, or were we going to be awarded last place, or perhaps top two. It was confusion up until they announced "Best in Choreography" to CBA. Instantly the CLA freshmen (about 50 of us that remained) started to scream. All the colleges were awarded except us. Meaning the third of the special awards would be given to us. Since all colleges get awards.
"BEST IN OVERALL PERFORMANCE" left CLA freshmen present jumping like crazy. I couldn't believe it!
***
We went to JFH to sign attendance and to pick up our bags, as well as change back into our normal clothes. Then, even if we were all tired, went to visit the OPEN HOUSE of the dormitories.
We first stopped at my dorm room and we took pictures, and I did have a short episode about the camera which was malfunctioning again. I fixed the problem and saved the film and continued to take pictures. It was a unique event. All the other rooms had different people in them and my room mate Jan was with his girlfriend.
After spending around 30-45 minutes in my room, we proceeded to Tina's dormitory in Dorm-2, Right Wing, Room 3. Yes, it's that complicated! Yikes. We took a few pictures and proceeded into the New Dormitory which was huge. Danielle and Katz abandoned their dormitories during the Lasallian Days so we headed upstairs into Upper's room and there we enjoyed some delicious Graham Cake in which she made. We took more pictures.
Eventually we would end up in my dorm before they would disperse. And we landed back in my room with a drunken dorm mate Karl, and two classmates Ara and Aye. I won't be ashamed to broadcast their names here. They are my classmates that acted irresponsibly. My other classmates noticed how silent and furious I was at all parties involved in their drinking. Including, first of all, a dorm mate in F7.
My classmates and I spent the last thirty minutes of the OPEN HOUSE trying to fix Ara and Ayesha for their commute home and for escaping the school by not throwing up in the middle of the road. Instead of resting or talking, we were dealing with heating water, making coffee, and just sitting and staring up at Ara and Aye, drunk, perhaps exaggerating a bit, I don't know.
A few more pictures later and I dropped them to the gate and across the street. I returned to the E-House area with Joel and Tina and we took yet again another picture. That ended the OPEN HOUSE, it went by so quickly.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 - Meeting another Broadjourn Section
Nothing much happened on the second day of the Lasallian Days. Well, that would be in the morning and afternoon which I had spent going with Maycee around campus trying to schedule events of the other colleges for the third and last day of the Lasallian Days. I also spent time meeting Ate Mich of Broadjourn 2-1. It's now official, the once merged COM2-4 and JOU2-1 has now split since they have different majors. Awesome. We now have a JOU2-1 and those pioneers look stronger since they're doing coverage this past week. Other than that, the only other highlight of Wednesday was in the evening with the ROTONDA PARTY by the USC.
This was the most interesting party of La Salle. Although the University Policy that no institutional event is to surpass the 8 o'clock events curfew time, this party just did it's best. All parties like this should start at 8 o'clock, not end at 8 o'clock. That is what makes our University so twisted. Parties end at 8. It's driving me crazy.
It was highlighted mainly by a Human Auction. Supposedly there were to be many girls, but everytime I was there they were auctioning guys. Basically I didn't join the 200, 300 something crowd that stood and looked at the stage which was set up at the Rotonda right behind the statue of St. La Salle. It was awkward to look up and see the performers or the bands play at the same time look at the back of that gray statue of St. John the Baptist de la Salle. I had many VPAPU flashbacks with the BeatBox that was present and a spotlight mounted in front of St. La Salle. I took a picture but it didn't develop since it was still too dim.
I didn't enjoy the party, but I enjoyed watching it. About 20% of the Rotonda was used, and that was the stage. Another 50% of it was just this void of silence where we could sit and just watch the other half partying. We had pictures taken.
A highlight here was when classmate Charmagne Kaye Diaz (2nd Runner-up in Bb. La Salle this year) suddenly appeared out of no where and popped on stage from wherever part of the crowd she came from. My classmates gathered suddenly and we started calling for her from the side but she didn't hear us.
She was buying, not being auctioned. She was buying the 2-for-1 package of guys there. She joked to the audience as she confidently stood on the stage. She joked "she'd give the two guys to Bianca (also a classmate) since she already has a boyfriend". At least Charmagne was honest with the audience and to her boyfriend. It projected smiles and laughter among classmates.
And that was that.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 - Each College has It's own Celebration
I was tired, I was growing lazy. I have things to cover for the HF. Great.
A slow morning indeed as I couldn't get out off bed after being awake already for two or three hours. I was just there half-asleep, half-awake... resting. My back, my butt, all aching with all the walking. And now, more walking to do!
I was only encouraged since I knew my classmates would only be in school in the morning. So I knew, if I wanted to see them, I had to get out of bed and make my way to JFH where the CLA DAY was taking place.
I did so and joined my classmates at the JFH area where I found some of them participating in games. Kate was playing that Paper Game and the two drunk princesses' Ara and Aye were climbing on top of JOU1-1's Pagbasa at Pagsulat professor, Dr. Lakandupil Garcia. I wasn't totally shocked at how they looked like, perhaps due to my other worries.
Much of the class used the fully-excused-from-classes day (due to CLA Day) to do their field research. Four groups in class would disperse towards the four corners of Cavite for researching in Pagbasa at Pagsulat.
So when they left, I was with Joel the whole time. I had things to cover and I spent the whole afternoon walking from building to building, dragging Basil and Joel along, as I tried to cover events for the HF. I was assigned to CET and CBA.
But I was totally out of the mood. My depression from the previous week returned, pulled me down, made me even more tired than how tired I should have been.
I couldn't cover but I requested for a data sheet and summary from CET. For the Symposiums and the CBA, I failed to accomplish coverage. But since this isn't a weekly or daily newspaper I'm working for. Since it's a broadsheet not a newscast. I can just drop by the respective Student Council offices of CBA and CET on Monday and conduct a few interviews about what they did.
Lasallian Days 2003, to me, ended quietly in the dorms. I was tired and needed sleep before starting a normal Friday.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 - Battle against the Sleepiness and the Sadness
The school returned to normal. It was a Friday. Fresh Uniforms were back and classes went by normally. Absolutely no highlights I could think of.
Just a conversation with my classmate Jhen. Just the two of us in the not-so-crowded Friday late-afternoon setting in front of the depressing DPH circular shed. I confessed my problem that made me depressed all towards Jhen. I didn't know, but just letting her know how I stupid I was feeling towards a friend of mine was just the solution. I just needed to be heard. I just needed someone to say "if this person shares this info with you, that means the two of you are already good and close and trusted friends."
Just hearing those words lifted the depression and shroud over me. I was okay again, perhaps for the evening.
Friday night I was txt-crazy trying to contact classmates in Foreign Filipino if there was class on Saturday since the professor said there might not be any. There isn't any according to the professor when I got a hold of her cellphone number. I received her message well on the way home down the cold and dark streets in front of Paradahan, Tanza where my High School Best Friend Bryan used to live at.
That concludes such a tiring week. It could have been better. It could have been worse.
Sunday, January 19, 2003
PROJECT : MAGI
Lasalleño - vol X - no 3
It was released last Friday and it was frustrating when I found out thru txt messaging by Badge. Why was it frustrating? Well, suddenly finding out that the Lasalleno is out and having no actual idea on which article you worked on got published feels frustrating. Seeing people walking around holding copies of the latest Lasalleno and still not having one.
When I finally got one and browsed through it, I found out my two articles got published. I'm in Team Recto-Malate, and "Quiapo: Three for a Hundred" and "Malate: Abandoned for Christmas" got published. The first time I got two in the Lasalleno. Yipee.
I liked the animated drawings of the eleven of us. Animated Eric looks just like real life Eric. Hahaha. I also had no idea that there would be a comic version of my encounter with the British guy in the Calesa. I was surprised when I saw that comic.
However there are things to point out on this already delayed issue:
- Where's the British guy inside the Calesa in the drawing?
- Why are the articles about Malate by Paul Membrebe and myself listed under Team Coastal - Star City when we are Team Recto - Malate?
- My name "George Edward" doesn't have a hyphen, again.
- In my article "Quiapo: Three for a Hundred", why was the secondary suggested title published alongside the actual title? (In HF, when you type an article, you put down the suggested titles.) The result here was: "Quiapo: Three for a Hundred, Waiting for Christmas in Quiapo." (...um)
Actually the answer is quite simple. We couldn't edit the Lasalleno that good since there was a Preliminary Examination during that time and of course our Christmas Break. The staff couldn't assist Kuya Marthy (Features' Ed), therefore it ended up like that.
But overall, I believe it looks ok. It's a very interesting Lasalleno about the adventure of eleven people. If you want to recall any mention of this adventure in this blog, look up "Abdul in Manila" in the November 2002 archives.
Speaking of Heraldo Filipino:
- Bon Voyage classmate and co-features' staffer Eric Salta and the rest of the HF research team bound for Vigan, Ilocus Sur during the Lasallian Days. Eric, I can't believe you're going to miss out this week. But enjoy yourself there in Vigan!
- The next Lasalleno is a very special one... the project is already titled: LSX. Since it'll be the fourth last issue of the tenth Volume of the Lasalleno. Lots of articles for this one!
Lasalleño - vol X - no 3
It was released last Friday and it was frustrating when I found out thru txt messaging by Badge. Why was it frustrating? Well, suddenly finding out that the Lasalleno is out and having no actual idea on which article you worked on got published feels frustrating. Seeing people walking around holding copies of the latest Lasalleno and still not having one.
When I finally got one and browsed through it, I found out my two articles got published. I'm in Team Recto-Malate, and "Quiapo: Three for a Hundred" and "Malate: Abandoned for Christmas" got published. The first time I got two in the Lasalleno. Yipee.
I liked the animated drawings of the eleven of us. Animated Eric looks just like real life Eric. Hahaha. I also had no idea that there would be a comic version of my encounter with the British guy in the Calesa. I was surprised when I saw that comic.
However there are things to point out on this already delayed issue:
- Where's the British guy inside the Calesa in the drawing?
- Why are the articles about Malate by Paul Membrebe and myself listed under Team Coastal - Star City when we are Team Recto - Malate?
- My name "George Edward" doesn't have a hyphen, again.
- In my article "Quiapo: Three for a Hundred", why was the secondary suggested title published alongside the actual title? (In HF, when you type an article, you put down the suggested titles.) The result here was: "Quiapo: Three for a Hundred, Waiting for Christmas in Quiapo." (...um)
Actually the answer is quite simple. We couldn't edit the Lasalleno that good since there was a Preliminary Examination during that time and of course our Christmas Break. The staff couldn't assist Kuya Marthy (Features' Ed), therefore it ended up like that.
But overall, I believe it looks ok. It's a very interesting Lasalleno about the adventure of eleven people. If you want to recall any mention of this adventure in this blog, look up "Abdul in Manila" in the November 2002 archives.
Speaking of Heraldo Filipino:
- Bon Voyage classmate and co-features' staffer Eric Salta and the rest of the HF research team bound for Vigan, Ilocus Sur during the Lasallian Days. Eric, I can't believe you're going to miss out this week. But enjoy yourself there in Vigan!
- The next Lasalleno is a very special one... the project is already titled: LSX. Since it'll be the fourth last issue of the tenth Volume of the Lasalleno. Lots of articles for this one!
CHA CHA CHA C-L-A!
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #28
The Lasallian Days is the big event this week. Mass Demonstrations and Open House take place this Tuesday which is the opening day. A list of activities follow all week long.
That's all I can think of saying about this week. Just wish the College of Liberal Arts some good wishes on our performance. Hopefully we don't fly out of the Oval with all the flapping we're going to be doing.
The past weekend has been spent reviewing the ceiling they have constructed for the Kitchen and Dining Room areas. With my dad on a ship near the UAE, I'm helping my mom with the house business now. I demanded a correction be made for one portion of the ceiling that was supposed to cover a hallway yet to be constructed. The corrections will be made accordingly this incoming week.
The storage house (the first independent structure aside from the house in our subdivision lot) finished last week and I reviewed it as well. I made some critisisms about the constructed air vents on three sides, and hopefully in the future we could fix this.
The status of the house over the past weekend has been messy. All three bedrooms are loaded with things from the living room and the dining room. The outside area used to have no ceiling, now about 1/3rd of it has a ceiling. Everytime I walk outside, I always stop to look up at the ceiling and wonder about the dark roofing supports that were visible in that spot for the past three years.
But finally, it's starting to take shape.
***
I submitted some laundry to the Laundry Stop, where Aldrich submits his laundry. I didn't submit all my laundry since it wasn't ready for the laundry shop yet. I submitted these on the way home last Saturday afternoon.
I'll be picking up the laundry on the way to school Monday morning.
***
I'm here now this Sunday night. I'm moving in tomorrow morning. Why? Since there's no required classes tomorrow and only General Rehearsals, I believe I could move in tomorrow morning around 8 o'clock and make it for practice which begins at that time. I know all the moves, I just need to practice them.
When I arrive in my dorm on Monday, I need to work on cleaning it up for my classmates when they visit on Tuesday. I'll also be taking loads of pictures this week.
Here's to great fun during the Lasallian Days this week!
Title in Review: "Cha Cha Cha C-L-A!" is because our Mass Demo has elements of that kind of dance and the music is kind of disco-ish but a Pilipino song from recently (like 2000 I think). It's not too short, not too long, and I think it's just right. The only problem is, I can't exactly relate it to how the theme goes. The theme, of course, is "Pamilyang Lasalyano". Hopefully we do great. Hopefully we have good coverage. Hopefully I have good coverage of our class.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #28
The Lasallian Days is the big event this week. Mass Demonstrations and Open House take place this Tuesday which is the opening day. A list of activities follow all week long.
That's all I can think of saying about this week. Just wish the College of Liberal Arts some good wishes on our performance. Hopefully we don't fly out of the Oval with all the flapping we're going to be doing.
The past weekend has been spent reviewing the ceiling they have constructed for the Kitchen and Dining Room areas. With my dad on a ship near the UAE, I'm helping my mom with the house business now. I demanded a correction be made for one portion of the ceiling that was supposed to cover a hallway yet to be constructed. The corrections will be made accordingly this incoming week.
The storage house (the first independent structure aside from the house in our subdivision lot) finished last week and I reviewed it as well. I made some critisisms about the constructed air vents on three sides, and hopefully in the future we could fix this.
The status of the house over the past weekend has been messy. All three bedrooms are loaded with things from the living room and the dining room. The outside area used to have no ceiling, now about 1/3rd of it has a ceiling. Everytime I walk outside, I always stop to look up at the ceiling and wonder about the dark roofing supports that were visible in that spot for the past three years.
But finally, it's starting to take shape.
***
I submitted some laundry to the Laundry Stop, where Aldrich submits his laundry. I didn't submit all my laundry since it wasn't ready for the laundry shop yet. I submitted these on the way home last Saturday afternoon.
I'll be picking up the laundry on the way to school Monday morning.
***
I'm here now this Sunday night. I'm moving in tomorrow morning. Why? Since there's no required classes tomorrow and only General Rehearsals, I believe I could move in tomorrow morning around 8 o'clock and make it for practice which begins at that time. I know all the moves, I just need to practice them.
When I arrive in my dorm on Monday, I need to work on cleaning it up for my classmates when they visit on Tuesday. I'll also be taking loads of pictures this week.
Here's to great fun during the Lasallian Days this week!
Title in Review: "Cha Cha Cha C-L-A!" is because our Mass Demo has elements of that kind of dance and the music is kind of disco-ish but a Pilipino song from recently (like 2000 I think). It's not too short, not too long, and I think it's just right. The only problem is, I can't exactly relate it to how the theme goes. The theme, of course, is "Pamilyang Lasalyano". Hopefully we do great. Hopefully we have good coverage. Hopefully I have good coverage of our class.
Saturday, January 18, 2003
SAD ABOUT SOMETHING STUPID
The Damage Report - End of Week #27
It wasn't entirely a sad week, but it's the first actual time in college that I've felt my heart sink for a certain period of time and when I exposed myself to slow and sad songs. What's the problem? You'll have to read onwards.
It was a grand battle between professors and CLA Officers trying to grab time for practices for the Mass Demonstrations during the opening day of Lasallian Days. All Freshmen members of the many different colleges where placed together, and in our case, shuffled... to perform at the Oval next Tuesday.
In the time that we did have classes, it was just the basic of basics. Simple things such as one small and complete lecture, and a couple of handouts at the stalls.
The newly effective schedule of the "Broadjourn Dormers Night Out" which is on Monday and Thursday nights did happen, at least the first day. On Monday night, five girls and five guys (my non-classmate dormmates) were put together and enjoyed the tasty barbeque meals in the ambiance of inaZalle. One great BBQ place.
On Tuesday night it was a different story. I was going to submit my interview forms to the two locations my two assigned news articles from the HF were to take place. The Stalls area for the [Faculty Association] article and the ROTC Building for the [ROTC Awardee] article. In both places, I actually ended up meeting with the person to be interviewed instead of their respective secretary. They requested they be interviewed right there and then.
Well, exception to the [FA] guy, who happens to be the current President of the Faculty Association. He led me into his next classroom down in OSH which was filled with many upperclassmen. I conducted my interview accordingly and we spoke about the FA and the recent elections taken place. After 10 minutes, I had gathered enough notes and information to create an article.
I passed by classmates Arazelli, Badge, and Cindy at the kubos. Arazelli and Aldrich were having a conversation. Afterwards I proceeded into the ROTC building and was culture shocked immedietly because I forgot to remind myself where I was heading to.
Everyone in the ROTC building were military like! I mean, I knew that already. But I forgot to prepare myself for that. I forgot to set my mental state and prepare for a "Military Journalist" mode or something. I walked inside to submit the interview form and within moments I was interviewing the first of two guys to help me out in getting information about the recent winning of a top ROTC award nation-wide over here in their unit in La Salle Dasmariñas.
I was asked to return at 5:30pm on Tuesday night, an hour from the moment I stepped into their office. Returning at that time would enable me to interview the guy who won the award himself, Mr. Rommel Rodriguez.
I retreated to the kubos to find Ara and Aldrich still having a conversation. I was with Cindy and Badge and during the course of waiting, Ate Winnie (Photographer at the Heraldo Filipino) arrived and we spoke about "the issues lately".
I said bye to Cindy, Badge, Ara, and Aldrich and I headed off towards the stairs leading up into "Battlefield" and across it was the ROTC Building.
I conducted my interview and it was the longest, perhaps most memorable, interview I've ever given since I joined the Heraldo Filipino. I got inspirational quotations from Kuya Rommel (as he would like to be addressed). He's a 4th Year ComSci student and also of the highest rank in ROTC. He won ROTC OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2002 under the Navy division (three divisions: Army, Navy, and Air Force).
It was one awesome interview. He was really cool about it. He made me feel at ease when I knew I wasn't 100% prepared. (Remember: I only went to the ROTC building to submit the interview form, and I didn't fully expect I could do it on-the-spot.)
The interview lasted nearly two hours! It was just this long conversation and I want to make it my duty to make this article good and to try and help him clean up the name of ROTC as a Campus Journalist.
It was so dark around 8 o'clock in the evening and the wind was cold. Only the lights of the PCH building lit up the "Battlefield" as I crossed it slowly thinking about the ROTC, about the interview, and what big thing I could do about it.
***
MASS DEMO PRACTICES
By Wednesday the choreographer and the CLA Officers and all the practice for the Mass Demo still hadn't started! We were all ready. Classes and teachers already and automatically dropping our classroom time and setting us free to roam around waiting for nothing.
Wednesday afternoon began the practices. We were exposed since our practice area was right in front of the Chapel Grounds or right in the center of the Plaza! The grass lawns here were ok and we fit perfectly into it (count: nearly 300 freshmen of CLA). It felt like our CLA FRESHMEN ORIENTATION back in late-May 2002!
Eventually we finished our initial practice and it involves us acting like birds and all. It's confusing to think of. The College of Liberal Arts usually carries many talented dancers and actors/actresses and a lot of creative people. Why are we practicing 2-3 days late? The College of Science had been practicing for days before we started.
Anyways, all these practices are great because we get to meet other Freshmen from our neighboring CLA courses. I've got new "friendships" with some AB Psychology, AB Community Development, and AB Philosophy. I've also re-aquainted myself with the first person I ever met in La Salle during the CLA Freshmen Orientation... Carla Mae! She's looking really great, sparkling almost, perhaps the Athena of ComDev1-1 (merged with a Philo section) bites... she has a boyfriend already. ^_^
Frizcon, Jun Jun, and Gary add as friends from Psych1-1. Jet Paul would be added from Development Studies first year. JC, Allan or "A", Mia, Ella, Anna, and Franko come from Philo1-1. It's fun meeting new people, fresh smiles from newly made friends.
On Thursday and Friday, we had whole-day practices.
And on Friday, we practiced in the afternoon at the Oval as the sun set. We finally spaced out and we looked pretty much okay, ahem, compared to the, ahem... (CBA will kill me for this) ..., masses that the giant CBA had.
What is CBA doing by impression?
I'm seeing perhaps 2 1/2 times the amount of performers coming from CBA than CLA. They are using ARNIS sticks and going to the tune of Madonna's song "Die Another Day". My favorite soundtrack song of recently yes, but done with the massive amount of freshmen students in CBA. CBA is the largest College in the University, and it really does show. I think having too many people on the field would be hard to control and manage and hard to synchronize with the others. However, after hearing from CBA dorm mates... each student payed P350+ on expenses for their Mass Demonstration.
FLASH. I thought it was a tradition for the upperclassmen to shoulder the amounts for food, costume, and choreographer towards the Freshmen during the Mass Demo. Why are the CBA students paying?! The upperclassmen need to pay for them. And.. CLA upperclassmen pay'd only P10 I believe... so with the masses in CBA... maybe all the upperclassmen had to pay there was P1!!
Crazy.
Anyways, it was fun to watch CBA. Well yes they performed well ok with the sticks and all (like some slow-motion battle scene from a Lord of the Rings' movie) but what was fun to watch was when they were dismissed. The masses would dissolve into the exits and it would look like ants escaping from a flood. (i am so cruel)
Well, GOOD LUCK to them. In other colleges: The College of Science, to me, is actually the most feared if this is, in any way, a competition. COS has been practicing for the entire week and with whole-day practices. They've held back dorm mates like Allan, Aldrich, Alex, and Brian. They are doing some kind of pregnant-lady dance or something... where the guys have to move roughly using their hands to signal the release of some baby (?).
The theme of the Mass Demo and the entire Lasallian Days this year is "Pamilyang Lasalyano".
The College of Criminology had a few representatives. They were on the other side of the field. The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) is doing the "Brothers, Sisters, Fathers, Mothers" family song thing according to Basil of Environmental Engineering. But the way I look at it, since Kurt and Davies' (IE students) aren't going to their practices... then, well... iono. We'll have to see what happens to them.
***
BEFORE YOU DIE YOU SEE THE RING
I took Lance, Alex, Brian, Basil, and Karl with me to Robinsons' Imus to watch the American version of THE RING. We watched the Japanese version at SM Megamall last November 2002... now we had to catch this one.
At the mall we arrived quarter to 8pm and the movie would start at 8pm. Perfect! We grabbed some take-out from Burger King (where I encountered Sai from my former affiliated Organization, VPAPU) and arrived in the theater just two trailers before the start of the movie.
***
BEYOND THE CURFEW
The movie was amazing. I give it a 93 if my rating for the Japanese was 92. They are both amazing. The Japanese get the bigger credit with the originality and concept of this truly thrilling movie. But the Hollywood Version had a greater kind of storyline depth to it compared to how simpler the Japanese one was.
We commuted home and Aldrich txt'd Lance that he would wait at 7-11 La Salle for us. Aldrich came from SM Southmall.
We arrived at the Bayan, had trouble getting into an DBB-C or DBB-F jeepnee... finally ended up in front of La Salle and joined Aldrich. We ordered a few things from 7-11 before heading into La Salle.
I always do the talking so my "Honesty Policy" got us through the Main Gate. I informed my companions who were happy to not have their IDs taken since it was 2 hours beyond curfew time that "we aren't in the clear blue yet.".
I told them that we just finished "50%" of the game. The next 50% was the guard at the dormitory.
Half of our IDs where taken. Lance said he "came from home" with proof that he wrote it down when he logged out earlier that evening. Aldrich also said he "came from home" with stronger proof that "he wasn't with us at the movies" but he had to tag Brian along since Brian was facing a Major Offense if his ID would be taken away.
Everyone else surrendered their IDs. I was the first to surrender it, using the "Honestly Policy" to play the friendly-friendly game with the guard. Anyways, during "Die Another Day" last November 27th 2002... my classmate dormers got their IDs taken after I was the one who asked them to go out and beyond curfew. My ID wasn't taken then since the guard "avoided" to take it pretending he walked away during that night.
So now, I guess it's time to play fair and just submit my ID. I do know the system more than the dorm mates of mine. I don't want to brag or boast, but they've had many offenses already and still don't know how the system works. I've studied the system, asked questions, and know exactly my standing with the offenses. It's complicated, but I think I know what I'm doing... so I should be safe.
***
SADNESS DWELLING
I'm enjoying my College Life so far. It's fun and interesting to live day-by-day the lifestyle prior to the real world. I'm happy with it and very thankful for it. But I have a question, with all the smiling don't your facial muscles get tired eventually?
That's how I probably explain it. With all the positive energy I surround myself in, it gets kind of tiresome eventually. I'm not going on a depressive-run now. No. It's just in some departments of the life I'm living in are asking for more when they just can't get any.
Clearly spoken: It's my obsession with friendship. The special and closer bonds trying to form with the specific people I would feel more comfortable with. It hurts so bad when I just get bounced back, even by a little bit.
It makes my heart sink when I look at lightning strike their eyes and strike their skin making them lightning struck. I want to be struck by lightning too.
Just like them.
Title in Review: "Sad about something stupid." Something that isn't stupid to me makes me depressed therefore making it stupid. Makes sense? You'll probably have to be a Psychology student to explain what I'm saying...
The Damage Report - End of Week #27
It wasn't entirely a sad week, but it's the first actual time in college that I've felt my heart sink for a certain period of time and when I exposed myself to slow and sad songs. What's the problem? You'll have to read onwards.
It was a grand battle between professors and CLA Officers trying to grab time for practices for the Mass Demonstrations during the opening day of Lasallian Days. All Freshmen members of the many different colleges where placed together, and in our case, shuffled... to perform at the Oval next Tuesday.
In the time that we did have classes, it was just the basic of basics. Simple things such as one small and complete lecture, and a couple of handouts at the stalls.
The newly effective schedule of the "Broadjourn Dormers Night Out" which is on Monday and Thursday nights did happen, at least the first day. On Monday night, five girls and five guys (my non-classmate dormmates) were put together and enjoyed the tasty barbeque meals in the ambiance of inaZalle. One great BBQ place.
On Tuesday night it was a different story. I was going to submit my interview forms to the two locations my two assigned news articles from the HF were to take place. The Stalls area for the [Faculty Association] article and the ROTC Building for the [ROTC Awardee] article. In both places, I actually ended up meeting with the person to be interviewed instead of their respective secretary. They requested they be interviewed right there and then.
Well, exception to the [FA] guy, who happens to be the current President of the Faculty Association. He led me into his next classroom down in OSH which was filled with many upperclassmen. I conducted my interview accordingly and we spoke about the FA and the recent elections taken place. After 10 minutes, I had gathered enough notes and information to create an article.
I passed by classmates Arazelli, Badge, and Cindy at the kubos. Arazelli and Aldrich were having a conversation. Afterwards I proceeded into the ROTC building and was culture shocked immedietly because I forgot to remind myself where I was heading to.
Everyone in the ROTC building were military like! I mean, I knew that already. But I forgot to prepare myself for that. I forgot to set my mental state and prepare for a "Military Journalist" mode or something. I walked inside to submit the interview form and within moments I was interviewing the first of two guys to help me out in getting information about the recent winning of a top ROTC award nation-wide over here in their unit in La Salle Dasmariñas.
I was asked to return at 5:30pm on Tuesday night, an hour from the moment I stepped into their office. Returning at that time would enable me to interview the guy who won the award himself, Mr. Rommel Rodriguez.
I retreated to the kubos to find Ara and Aldrich still having a conversation. I was with Cindy and Badge and during the course of waiting, Ate Winnie (Photographer at the Heraldo Filipino) arrived and we spoke about "the issues lately".
I said bye to Cindy, Badge, Ara, and Aldrich and I headed off towards the stairs leading up into "Battlefield" and across it was the ROTC Building.
I conducted my interview and it was the longest, perhaps most memorable, interview I've ever given since I joined the Heraldo Filipino. I got inspirational quotations from Kuya Rommel (as he would like to be addressed). He's a 4th Year ComSci student and also of the highest rank in ROTC. He won ROTC OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2002 under the Navy division (three divisions: Army, Navy, and Air Force).
It was one awesome interview. He was really cool about it. He made me feel at ease when I knew I wasn't 100% prepared. (Remember: I only went to the ROTC building to submit the interview form, and I didn't fully expect I could do it on-the-spot.)
The interview lasted nearly two hours! It was just this long conversation and I want to make it my duty to make this article good and to try and help him clean up the name of ROTC as a Campus Journalist.
It was so dark around 8 o'clock in the evening and the wind was cold. Only the lights of the PCH building lit up the "Battlefield" as I crossed it slowly thinking about the ROTC, about the interview, and what big thing I could do about it.
***
MASS DEMO PRACTICES
By Wednesday the choreographer and the CLA Officers and all the practice for the Mass Demo still hadn't started! We were all ready. Classes and teachers already and automatically dropping our classroom time and setting us free to roam around waiting for nothing.
Wednesday afternoon began the practices. We were exposed since our practice area was right in front of the Chapel Grounds or right in the center of the Plaza! The grass lawns here were ok and we fit perfectly into it (count: nearly 300 freshmen of CLA). It felt like our CLA FRESHMEN ORIENTATION back in late-May 2002!
Eventually we finished our initial practice and it involves us acting like birds and all. It's confusing to think of. The College of Liberal Arts usually carries many talented dancers and actors/actresses and a lot of creative people. Why are we practicing 2-3 days late? The College of Science had been practicing for days before we started.
Anyways, all these practices are great because we get to meet other Freshmen from our neighboring CLA courses. I've got new "friendships" with some AB Psychology, AB Community Development, and AB Philosophy. I've also re-aquainted myself with the first person I ever met in La Salle during the CLA Freshmen Orientation... Carla Mae! She's looking really great, sparkling almost, perhaps the Athena of ComDev1-1 (merged with a Philo section) bites... she has a boyfriend already. ^_^
Frizcon, Jun Jun, and Gary add as friends from Psych1-1. Jet Paul would be added from Development Studies first year. JC, Allan or "A", Mia, Ella, Anna, and Franko come from Philo1-1. It's fun meeting new people, fresh smiles from newly made friends.
On Thursday and Friday, we had whole-day practices.
And on Friday, we practiced in the afternoon at the Oval as the sun set. We finally spaced out and we looked pretty much okay, ahem, compared to the, ahem... (CBA will kill me for this) ..., masses that the giant CBA had.
What is CBA doing by impression?
I'm seeing perhaps 2 1/2 times the amount of performers coming from CBA than CLA. They are using ARNIS sticks and going to the tune of Madonna's song "Die Another Day". My favorite soundtrack song of recently yes, but done with the massive amount of freshmen students in CBA. CBA is the largest College in the University, and it really does show. I think having too many people on the field would be hard to control and manage and hard to synchronize with the others. However, after hearing from CBA dorm mates... each student payed P350+ on expenses for their Mass Demonstration.
FLASH. I thought it was a tradition for the upperclassmen to shoulder the amounts for food, costume, and choreographer towards the Freshmen during the Mass Demo. Why are the CBA students paying?! The upperclassmen need to pay for them. And.. CLA upperclassmen pay'd only P10 I believe... so with the masses in CBA... maybe all the upperclassmen had to pay there was P1!!
Crazy.
Anyways, it was fun to watch CBA. Well yes they performed well ok with the sticks and all (like some slow-motion battle scene from a Lord of the Rings' movie) but what was fun to watch was when they were dismissed. The masses would dissolve into the exits and it would look like ants escaping from a flood. (i am so cruel)
Well, GOOD LUCK to them. In other colleges: The College of Science, to me, is actually the most feared if this is, in any way, a competition. COS has been practicing for the entire week and with whole-day practices. They've held back dorm mates like Allan, Aldrich, Alex, and Brian. They are doing some kind of pregnant-lady dance or something... where the guys have to move roughly using their hands to signal the release of some baby (?).
The theme of the Mass Demo and the entire Lasallian Days this year is "Pamilyang Lasalyano".
The College of Criminology had a few representatives. They were on the other side of the field. The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) is doing the "Brothers, Sisters, Fathers, Mothers" family song thing according to Basil of Environmental Engineering. But the way I look at it, since Kurt and Davies' (IE students) aren't going to their practices... then, well... iono. We'll have to see what happens to them.
***
BEFORE YOU DIE YOU SEE THE RING
I took Lance, Alex, Brian, Basil, and Karl with me to Robinsons' Imus to watch the American version of THE RING. We watched the Japanese version at SM Megamall last November 2002... now we had to catch this one.
At the mall we arrived quarter to 8pm and the movie would start at 8pm. Perfect! We grabbed some take-out from Burger King (where I encountered Sai from my former affiliated Organization, VPAPU) and arrived in the theater just two trailers before the start of the movie.
***
BEYOND THE CURFEW
The movie was amazing. I give it a 93 if my rating for the Japanese was 92. They are both amazing. The Japanese get the bigger credit with the originality and concept of this truly thrilling movie. But the Hollywood Version had a greater kind of storyline depth to it compared to how simpler the Japanese one was.
We commuted home and Aldrich txt'd Lance that he would wait at 7-11 La Salle for us. Aldrich came from SM Southmall.
We arrived at the Bayan, had trouble getting into an DBB-C or DBB-F jeepnee... finally ended up in front of La Salle and joined Aldrich. We ordered a few things from 7-11 before heading into La Salle.
I always do the talking so my "Honesty Policy" got us through the Main Gate. I informed my companions who were happy to not have their IDs taken since it was 2 hours beyond curfew time that "we aren't in the clear blue yet.".
I told them that we just finished "50%" of the game. The next 50% was the guard at the dormitory.
Half of our IDs where taken. Lance said he "came from home" with proof that he wrote it down when he logged out earlier that evening. Aldrich also said he "came from home" with stronger proof that "he wasn't with us at the movies" but he had to tag Brian along since Brian was facing a Major Offense if his ID would be taken away.
Everyone else surrendered their IDs. I was the first to surrender it, using the "Honestly Policy" to play the friendly-friendly game with the guard. Anyways, during "Die Another Day" last November 27th 2002... my classmate dormers got their IDs taken after I was the one who asked them to go out and beyond curfew. My ID wasn't taken then since the guard "avoided" to take it pretending he walked away during that night.
So now, I guess it's time to play fair and just submit my ID. I do know the system more than the dorm mates of mine. I don't want to brag or boast, but they've had many offenses already and still don't know how the system works. I've studied the system, asked questions, and know exactly my standing with the offenses. It's complicated, but I think I know what I'm doing... so I should be safe.
***
SADNESS DWELLING
I'm enjoying my College Life so far. It's fun and interesting to live day-by-day the lifestyle prior to the real world. I'm happy with it and very thankful for it. But I have a question, with all the smiling don't your facial muscles get tired eventually?
That's how I probably explain it. With all the positive energy I surround myself in, it gets kind of tiresome eventually. I'm not going on a depressive-run now. No. It's just in some departments of the life I'm living in are asking for more when they just can't get any.
Clearly spoken: It's my obsession with friendship. The special and closer bonds trying to form with the specific people I would feel more comfortable with. It hurts so bad when I just get bounced back, even by a little bit.
It makes my heart sink when I look at lightning strike their eyes and strike their skin making them lightning struck. I want to be struck by lightning too.
Just like them.
Title in Review: "Sad about something stupid." Something that isn't stupid to me makes me depressed therefore making it stupid. Makes sense? You'll probably have to be a Psychology student to explain what I'm saying...
Sunday, January 12, 2003
A PHYSICAL FIVE DAYS
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Opening Week #27
Aldrich came over and slept over during my one-day weekend. When we arrived on Saturday afternoon to my house, my brother had some guests over from his 2nd Year class in Atheneum. There were lots of dishes and food on the table and it was just delicious. Glad I wasn't alone to eat it though, Aldrich was there.
We listened to music and did tons of surfing. It was in my room he updated his blog and I helped him create a gallery of pictures, which you can find by clicking here.
Since it was getting late I asked him to just sleep over. We watched "Men in Black II" in my room and ate again outside in the dining room. My brother's classmates went away and our relatives were now the guests.
Eventually things simmered down and we just listened to MAGIC 89.9 all night with it's partying songs. Aldrich was trying to contact my classmate Ronalyn with his cellphone during this time.
We slept in my brother's room. Just the two of us. We listened to music and spoke about our problems with friendship towards other people. Although I have absolutely no problems with friendships made in college, I did express to him my problems with friendships in the past and how I've changed and learned from them. Sadly though, he's facing these problems up to now. Hopefully I'll be able to help him out since all these friendship problems took place and ended in High School.
We fell asleep around 12mn and around quarter to 1 o'clock in the morning I was attacked a few times by mosquitos. I couldn't take it anymore so I fled the room with my pillow and blanket (must've looked stupid doing so) and into my aircondition room to join my brother and my mom.
I found out the following morning I woke up around quarter to 9 o'clock and my reaction was that Aldrich would be confused. "Uh, where is George?". And then he was confused. He txt'd me a 3-part msg. into my 3210 which I read later though. It included something about me being eaten by the witch lady in THE RING and that he was next. Very funny too, the way it was written in txt form.
[georg... aahh wer r u... aahh... im scared... aahh... im all alone... aahh... im trapd n d room... aahh... i see tha well in yer tv... aahh... some1s climbing out f d well... aahh... nw shes walkn 2wards me all pilay... aahh... shes gettn biggr n closer... aahh... shes... shes... AAAHHHHHH!!! .....]
He stayed until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. We spent all morning long trying to fix up his gallery that we only worked half-on on Saturday night.
About the incoming week
I forsee a lot of practice this week as we are all on the eve of the Lasallian Days 2003. We've got choreographers to listen to I think and all of this that the upperclassmen will be doing and holding.
It's also going to be very physical. Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday trips to the Gym. Tuesday, Alex and I have planned that us and a few interested dormers go swimming at the swimming pool at PLS around 5 or 6 in the evening. If there's no practice for Broadjourn during Thursday afternoon, there's also swimming then.
Hopefully it's a great week with the least amount of clashing. For the Heraldo Filipino, hopefully I'll dive back into researching and get myself involved in making more articles this time around. For the AB Comm Channel, there will be some editing to do this week that I have the option of witnessing and learning from inside the MPR (Media Production Room).
That's all. Here's to a great week!
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Opening Week #27
Aldrich came over and slept over during my one-day weekend. When we arrived on Saturday afternoon to my house, my brother had some guests over from his 2nd Year class in Atheneum. There were lots of dishes and food on the table and it was just delicious. Glad I wasn't alone to eat it though, Aldrich was there.
We listened to music and did tons of surfing. It was in my room he updated his blog and I helped him create a gallery of pictures, which you can find by clicking here.
Since it was getting late I asked him to just sleep over. We watched "Men in Black II" in my room and ate again outside in the dining room. My brother's classmates went away and our relatives were now the guests.
Eventually things simmered down and we just listened to MAGIC 89.9 all night with it's partying songs. Aldrich was trying to contact my classmate Ronalyn with his cellphone during this time.
We slept in my brother's room. Just the two of us. We listened to music and spoke about our problems with friendship towards other people. Although I have absolutely no problems with friendships made in college, I did express to him my problems with friendships in the past and how I've changed and learned from them. Sadly though, he's facing these problems up to now. Hopefully I'll be able to help him out since all these friendship problems took place and ended in High School.
We fell asleep around 12mn and around quarter to 1 o'clock in the morning I was attacked a few times by mosquitos. I couldn't take it anymore so I fled the room with my pillow and blanket (must've looked stupid doing so) and into my aircondition room to join my brother and my mom.
I found out the following morning I woke up around quarter to 9 o'clock and my reaction was that Aldrich would be confused. "Uh, where is George?". And then he was confused. He txt'd me a 3-part msg. into my 3210 which I read later though. It included something about me being eaten by the witch lady in THE RING and that he was next. Very funny too, the way it was written in txt form.
[georg... aahh wer r u... aahh... im scared... aahh... im all alone... aahh... im trapd n d room... aahh... i see tha well in yer tv... aahh... some1s climbing out f d well... aahh... nw shes walkn 2wards me all pilay... aahh... shes gettn biggr n closer... aahh... shes... shes... AAAHHHHHH!!! .....]
He stayed until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. We spent all morning long trying to fix up his gallery that we only worked half-on on Saturday night.
About the incoming week
I forsee a lot of practice this week as we are all on the eve of the Lasallian Days 2003. We've got choreographers to listen to I think and all of this that the upperclassmen will be doing and holding.
It's also going to be very physical. Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday trips to the Gym. Tuesday, Alex and I have planned that us and a few interested dormers go swimming at the swimming pool at PLS around 5 or 6 in the evening. If there's no practice for Broadjourn during Thursday afternoon, there's also swimming then.
Hopefully it's a great week with the least amount of clashing. For the Heraldo Filipino, hopefully I'll dive back into researching and get myself involved in making more articles this time around. For the AB Comm Channel, there will be some editing to do this week that I have the option of witnessing and learning from inside the MPR (Media Production Room).
That's all. Here's to a great week!
Saturday, January 11, 2003
ON THOSE DAMN COLD NIGHTS
The Damage Report - Ending Week #26
January begins and so has the Midterms. One week of catching up and head-on action into what a professor says "as the shortest and most busiest term of the school year.". Sadly, there are only three months left of SY 2002-2003, and it was only yesterday I had entered college and exploded into getting involved in the University.
Last Monday - Reunited in the New Year
I had txt'd my classmates that I was so excited to meet them that I would be sleeping inside JFH 204 overnight Sunday for Chemistry in early morning. I didn't do that, but I did have trouble sleeping. 50% Homesick (the comfort of home) and 50% Excited (seeing classmates again).
I arrived in class together with Tina. The class only had a few people in it that morning. I was glad to be one of the first few to be there. So I can sit down and await the others rather than rush when I would be late.
It was a day to re-integrate myself into the atmosphere of La Salle after being adjusted to home life in Tanza. For more details on what happened on Monday, click here.
Last Tuesday - Heartache in the House
I recall in NSTP we were all suited up just to get our names checked for attendance and that was it. What a waste of a perfectly fresh and recently ironed NSTP shirt. Tsk tsk.
Since NSTP ended early, I decided to assist Upper in their BioSci Project which was on Powerpoint. We travelled to Maycee's house beyond the bayan and I didn't know I wouldn't be leaving until the following day.
Maycee's house was simple and cute. She's the only one living there since her parents only come in on only one or two days. Upper went to work while the rest of us just listened to music or watched television downstairs.
Day became night and the girls I were with started to cook dinner. It made me ask "what if we all dormed together. well of course, we'd need to balance and add a few more guys, but what if this was the kind of 'Broadjourn Headquarters' thing I had playing in my head in the past?".
Around 8:30pm Kats suddenly said "Ok lang ba uwi tayo bukas ng umaga?". My heart stopped for a moment! I already missed out going to the gym with Alex and Vince (the first time in the year 2003) when I had all the go-signals to do so (my horoscope that day: Today is the best day to start being fit.).
Eventually and even after much deliberation, I decided that "majority wins" so I stayed with their group. I grew instantly guilty about not finishing up my work for my own project that Kate is working so hard on. For more details on what happened on Tuesday, click here.
Last Wednesday - A Semi G7 Reunion
I sat-in during "Pagbasa", the original Filipino class I had with Core JOU1-1. I just felt like it since I had no where to go during the break. It just greatly reminded me of how I miss having Dr. Garcia as a professor. He's just amazing at how he teaches us the way we need to be taught... as aspiring Broadcast Journalists.
Anyways, later during the afternoon break we all went to Waltermart to buy gifts for our REED class. Before Christmas Break, the professor Mrs. Planas (who owns a Photocopy Shop in front of the Main Gate), made us draw a name of a classmate in which we must treat extra special and that person must guess who is treating him or her special in the new year. A very fun and interesting way.
I already knew mine. It had to be Badge. It was hard though, because Badge is always nice to me. I mean, she always has that smile or notion of agreement or gesture of acceptance towards me. I guess the things that tipped my guess in favor of her was receiving a few extra txt. msgs. and quotes than normal.
You can sort of say it was a shopping spree at Waltermart. Weird place to have a shopping spree, but it happened and it was crazy trying to wrap gifts 5 minutes before class and still standing in front of [Expressions] supply shop.
The person I got was Jhen, and I had difficulty in getting to her since she's busy with the Teatro. But since I txt'd her in the middle of the night, she guessed it was me.
The guessing portion involved the entire class in a circle in the classroom while the guesser was in the center next to Mrs. Planas.
Later that night I ran into G7 Candy at the E-House and found out Ekai would be going to La Salle in the evening. I instantly joined the new plan of the evening and found myself with Candy and Erika at Net-o-Pia. Lance joined later on and it was now four of us. Missing is Nikki and Joy, and of course Bryan who is on the other side of the planet.
We ate at Frio Mixx and couldn't exactly fit at the same table. I just sat with Lance and we spoke about issues lately at the dorm if their were any.
We returned to La Salle in the evening and ended a brief semi-reunion.
Last Thursday - Cramps and Chaos
This was the worst day of the week. It just involved leaving swimming trunks in the dormitory and finding out only when you're half undressed at the swimming pool already. And then it also involved being very tired, getting two sets of cramps on both legs, and every room I walked to in the evening (dorm rooms) something would fall (cellphones fell), something would spill (lance's pepsi and water bottle), something would shatter (a glass shattered).
Click here to find out exactly what happened.
Last Friday - Evolution and the Gospel According to Mark
I tried my best to recover from all of what happened on Thursday. Every left step, my left leg would cramp a bit reminding me of that painful experience while in the swimming pool. But I pulled through it.
Both Pagbasa and BioSci pulled out timeslots next week freeing up a "Giant Break" next Wednesday. In BioSci we watched three 15-minute documentaries all pertaining to Evolutionary Changes. At least it was something I could understand compared to a green board splattered with scribblings of white chalk and scrambled words. Someone please show me a tape of myself when I did have the Sciences as my favorite subject in the past.
After BioSci, we decided to use our "Year of the Goat" McDo tickets so we ate at McDo in Waltermart. It was a shorter trip, but still very fun.
In Re-Ed we had the quiz in which the highest rated score would receive an option: (1) Watch Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for free OR (2) Gain an exemption from a future quiz. Joanna Paraohao won! It was just funny. I didn't believe it, but majority of the top scorers were from the group that just went to Waltermart an hour before the quiz. Well, my friends did carry their bibles to Waltermart after all.
I got a passing score for something I didn't exactly read. The quiz was about the Gospel according to Mark. I read only the first three chapters than I got addicted to reading the Book of Revelation. Beats me how that happened. And the thrill of winning a prize like that simply didn't interest me. I was interested in watching the winner pick out his or her choice. I would be watching LOTR: The Two Towers no matter what.
And after that, the day ended. I went to ERS to surf and type about how bad my Thursday had gone. Surfing lasted two hours by myself. I retreated to my dorm room and that was that.
On Saturday - A Rose for Emily
In Foreign Filipino I was reunited with Judith of COM1-1 and Erick of BS Education. We had to make pilipino adjectives for these poster boards Mrs. Evangeline Encabo gave us. It was a partner-partner thing so I had Judy. It was really fun working with her since we were the only "Comm/Broadjourn" students there. Meaning, we felt the world of creativity fell right on our shoulders, not that I'm bragging, but we felt expected of.
A nice posterboard and it had a home-made theatrical poster on it. Some book or story entitled "A Rose for Emily" and under it was the caption "WATCH EMILY MAKE OUT WITH THE DEAD." or something like that. Sadista, Morbid, and other words like that emerged from us as Judy composed a creative story to explain it into further detail what we thought was happening by just looking at the strange poster.
After class I went to the dorms and packed up. Aldrich went with me. And we rode off out of La Salle.
The Damage Report - Ending Week #26
January begins and so has the Midterms. One week of catching up and head-on action into what a professor says "as the shortest and most busiest term of the school year.". Sadly, there are only three months left of SY 2002-2003, and it was only yesterday I had entered college and exploded into getting involved in the University.
Last Monday - Reunited in the New Year
I had txt'd my classmates that I was so excited to meet them that I would be sleeping inside JFH 204 overnight Sunday for Chemistry in early morning. I didn't do that, but I did have trouble sleeping. 50% Homesick (the comfort of home) and 50% Excited (seeing classmates again).
I arrived in class together with Tina. The class only had a few people in it that morning. I was glad to be one of the first few to be there. So I can sit down and await the others rather than rush when I would be late.
It was a day to re-integrate myself into the atmosphere of La Salle after being adjusted to home life in Tanza. For more details on what happened on Monday, click here.
Last Tuesday - Heartache in the House
I recall in NSTP we were all suited up just to get our names checked for attendance and that was it. What a waste of a perfectly fresh and recently ironed NSTP shirt. Tsk tsk.
Since NSTP ended early, I decided to assist Upper in their BioSci Project which was on Powerpoint. We travelled to Maycee's house beyond the bayan and I didn't know I wouldn't be leaving until the following day.
Maycee's house was simple and cute. She's the only one living there since her parents only come in on only one or two days. Upper went to work while the rest of us just listened to music or watched television downstairs.
Day became night and the girls I were with started to cook dinner. It made me ask "what if we all dormed together. well of course, we'd need to balance and add a few more guys, but what if this was the kind of 'Broadjourn Headquarters' thing I had playing in my head in the past?".
Around 8:30pm Kats suddenly said "Ok lang ba uwi tayo bukas ng umaga?". My heart stopped for a moment! I already missed out going to the gym with Alex and Vince (the first time in the year 2003) when I had all the go-signals to do so (my horoscope that day: Today is the best day to start being fit.).
Eventually and even after much deliberation, I decided that "majority wins" so I stayed with their group. I grew instantly guilty about not finishing up my work for my own project that Kate is working so hard on. For more details on what happened on Tuesday, click here.
Last Wednesday - A Semi G7 Reunion
I sat-in during "Pagbasa", the original Filipino class I had with Core JOU1-1. I just felt like it since I had no where to go during the break. It just greatly reminded me of how I miss having Dr. Garcia as a professor. He's just amazing at how he teaches us the way we need to be taught... as aspiring Broadcast Journalists.
Anyways, later during the afternoon break we all went to Waltermart to buy gifts for our REED class. Before Christmas Break, the professor Mrs. Planas (who owns a Photocopy Shop in front of the Main Gate), made us draw a name of a classmate in which we must treat extra special and that person must guess who is treating him or her special in the new year. A very fun and interesting way.
I already knew mine. It had to be Badge. It was hard though, because Badge is always nice to me. I mean, she always has that smile or notion of agreement or gesture of acceptance towards me. I guess the things that tipped my guess in favor of her was receiving a few extra txt. msgs. and quotes than normal.
You can sort of say it was a shopping spree at Waltermart. Weird place to have a shopping spree, but it happened and it was crazy trying to wrap gifts 5 minutes before class and still standing in front of [Expressions] supply shop.
The person I got was Jhen, and I had difficulty in getting to her since she's busy with the Teatro. But since I txt'd her in the middle of the night, she guessed it was me.
The guessing portion involved the entire class in a circle in the classroom while the guesser was in the center next to Mrs. Planas.
Later that night I ran into G7 Candy at the E-House and found out Ekai would be going to La Salle in the evening. I instantly joined the new plan of the evening and found myself with Candy and Erika at Net-o-Pia. Lance joined later on and it was now four of us. Missing is Nikki and Joy, and of course Bryan who is on the other side of the planet.
We ate at Frio Mixx and couldn't exactly fit at the same table. I just sat with Lance and we spoke about issues lately at the dorm if their were any.
We returned to La Salle in the evening and ended a brief semi-reunion.
Last Thursday - Cramps and Chaos
This was the worst day of the week. It just involved leaving swimming trunks in the dormitory and finding out only when you're half undressed at the swimming pool already. And then it also involved being very tired, getting two sets of cramps on both legs, and every room I walked to in the evening (dorm rooms) something would fall (cellphones fell), something would spill (lance's pepsi and water bottle), something would shatter (a glass shattered).
Click here to find out exactly what happened.
Last Friday - Evolution and the Gospel According to Mark
I tried my best to recover from all of what happened on Thursday. Every left step, my left leg would cramp a bit reminding me of that painful experience while in the swimming pool. But I pulled through it.
Both Pagbasa and BioSci pulled out timeslots next week freeing up a "Giant Break" next Wednesday. In BioSci we watched three 15-minute documentaries all pertaining to Evolutionary Changes. At least it was something I could understand compared to a green board splattered with scribblings of white chalk and scrambled words. Someone please show me a tape of myself when I did have the Sciences as my favorite subject in the past.
After BioSci, we decided to use our "Year of the Goat" McDo tickets so we ate at McDo in Waltermart. It was a shorter trip, but still very fun.
In Re-Ed we had the quiz in which the highest rated score would receive an option: (1) Watch Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for free OR (2) Gain an exemption from a future quiz. Joanna Paraohao won! It was just funny. I didn't believe it, but majority of the top scorers were from the group that just went to Waltermart an hour before the quiz. Well, my friends did carry their bibles to Waltermart after all.
I got a passing score for something I didn't exactly read. The quiz was about the Gospel according to Mark. I read only the first three chapters than I got addicted to reading the Book of Revelation. Beats me how that happened. And the thrill of winning a prize like that simply didn't interest me. I was interested in watching the winner pick out his or her choice. I would be watching LOTR: The Two Towers no matter what.
And after that, the day ended. I went to ERS to surf and type about how bad my Thursday had gone. Surfing lasted two hours by myself. I retreated to my dorm room and that was that.
On Saturday - A Rose for Emily
In Foreign Filipino I was reunited with Judith of COM1-1 and Erick of BS Education. We had to make pilipino adjectives for these poster boards Mrs. Evangeline Encabo gave us. It was a partner-partner thing so I had Judy. It was really fun working with her since we were the only "Comm/Broadjourn" students there. Meaning, we felt the world of creativity fell right on our shoulders, not that I'm bragging, but we felt expected of.
A nice posterboard and it had a home-made theatrical poster on it. Some book or story entitled "A Rose for Emily" and under it was the caption "WATCH EMILY MAKE OUT WITH THE DEAD." or something like that. Sadista, Morbid, and other words like that emerged from us as Judy composed a creative story to explain it into further detail what we thought was happening by just looking at the strange poster.
After class I went to the dorms and packed up. Aldrich went with me. And we rode off out of La Salle.
Friday, January 10, 2003
Pain at the Pool, Party, and Pad
On the great-slash-miserable Thursday I had this week
I never expected my Thursday to turn out the way it did. It was all set to be one great and normal day of the week. Classes, long breaks, and of course Swimming to conclude the day. However, it did not turn out that way.
I've been repeating this story to close friends and dorm mates. I think it's the first longest "kwento" I've ever had to tell people about.
***
Everything was going normal and fine for English class which started at 7 o'clock in the morning. I was running a bit late, but that's nothing compared to later on.
After English Class, Maycee received a message from her co-news writer Oliver, that there was a seminar that required all members of the HF to be present. I didn't want to go because I wanted to join my classmates in Brejanah Cafe for the first time this new year and enjoy Breakfast.
But duty comes first and I joined Maycee on the long walk to the Administration Building from the construction yard that swallowed half of JFH. Eventually I'd end up inside CBA Basement One, Room 9 or the one in front of the mini-Chapel.
So the seminar took place and it was about leadership and St. La Salle, and the mood was like that of a recollection. We sang songs like that one revived by Jologs... "We are next in line...".
This seminar took me away from breakfast with classmates and from researching at the Library for Sociology class later at 1130 hrs. But we were excused from classes affected by the seminar.
***
I was excited to join my classmates at the Batibot, our place to hang out before proceeding to PLS. After eating with a lot of staffers of the HF under the largest pavillion inside Square Canteen, I joined my classmates at the Batibot. There, things were going good and they told me stories of how Sociology class was. They played "Shrades", and if you would know my classmates, it was extremely fun with acting talents, comedy, drama, and basically all of the above.
Since last year (Prelim Term, 2nd Semester) I always took awhile to pack up my stuff for Swimming, I decided to pack up my stuff the night before starting "now". So I went back to the dorm and grabbed the "Swim Kit" and of course I felt good that I finally had my very own combination lock that the PLS-Pool requires all swimmers to bring.
I took the bag and left for the Batibot where classmates waited. I arrived early so we didn't even leave for another five or ten minutes (a record, last term I would be found trying to catch up with my classmates who were half-way down the Covered Walk).
***
The Swimming Pool
We arrived at PLS and I was beyond satisfied with having completed all the requirements to get into the swimming pool. Those would be (1) combination lock AND (2) registration form. I proceeded up the steps to the lockers.
There, I hadn't set the new combination lock I had so I had Emil help me with it. It took a while to set it up because it was hard to access the reset-numbers thing. After about 5 minutes, half my classmates were already down in the showers and perhaps another 1/4 were already in the swimming pool.
It finally was set and I locked it closed (not on the locker, but by itself) and tested the combination.
EVENT: THE NEWLY SET LOCK-NUMBER DIDN'T OPEN
I was now greatly worried, and we tried neighboring combinations (example: 450 would be 449 or 451) and it still didn't work. I spent another five minutes trying to open it as about 3/4 of my class were already in the swimming pool.
I found out you have to "snap" the lock open not just "pull it normally". So I was relieved. I emptied my pockets, set up my locker, and prepared to join my classmates down at the swimming pool.
As I unbuttoned my barong polo uniform, I suddenly realized that I was not wearing my swimming trunks!!! I always wear my trunks in the dorm room before going to PLS so it's less effort. But since I wanted to grab my packed bag earlier and join my classmates in the fastest way possible, I forgot that I didn't pack my trunks because I always plan on wearing them there.
EVENT: I LEFT MY SWIMMING TRUNKS
I now panic'd and was feeling bad. I realized I had to walk BACK to my DORM ROOM which was over a KILOMETER away into the heart of the campus! I already walked to PLS with classmates from the Batibot near the Admin, and now I had to return to my dorm room!!
I started cursing. My stuff were placed inside a locker but I had to keep the lock to get "back" into the PLS-Swimming Pool. Bullshit! I had to pick out the things i needed, and find a place to hide it. Ate Jo let me use her locker and after that I informed the familiar Guard watching the gate to the pool about my sudden big problem.
Immedietly I ran as fast as I could (no one was in the area) up towards the Covered Walk. I arrived into my dorm room ten minutes later extremely tired. I wore my trunks, and left the dorm to return to PLS. Another ten minutes!
By the time I arrived at the pool, my classmates were in the swimming pool looking up and listening to our instructor, Ms. Davin. It felt stupid to still be wearing a uniform when all my classmates were in the swimming pool. I went up the stairs and then suddenly, due to stress and fatigue, forgot that Ate Jo's locker has a lock obviously and I didn't know the combination.
Balik nanaman. I went down the stairs to search for Ate Jo. I couldn't find her so I looked like an idiot standing there on the stairs and sticking out as my classmates listened to our professor. I found Ate Jo and got the combination, got my things, locked them in my locker, took a quick shower, and since I was already late... I didn't use the ladder to decend into the pool, I just quietly jumped in which made an unexpected loud splash amidst the silence and calmness of the pool and the rest of my class.
I think they burst out laughing as I accidentally made that loud splash. Basically when I got in, it was time to practice what they were just taught moments before.
I was still bad trip and tired, but hearing the voices, the laughter, the fun and energy of my classmates and how happy they were swimming in the pool is what kept me in the pool. If it wasn't for their smiles, then I would be found giving up already and in the corner under the Kiosk.
Suddenly, I started to shiver because of the cold winds of January. I practiced to what they learned and all was going well until I suddenly felt a cramp on my right foot. I was suddenly paralyzed.
EVENT: PARALYZED BY THE CRAMPS
Since it was the second time I had a cramp on my right foot while in the swimming pool, I already knew how to control it slowly. It was quite painful but at least I knew how to relax the cramp.
But that's when something worse even happened.
I started to have a cramp, not on the foot, but on the lower part of my left leg. I didn't know what exactly to stretch out and I was feeling paralyzing pain already while in the swimming pool. Nearby classmates assisted me and thanks to Maycee and Eric (i just noticed, the co-writers of the HF in our class). I had had ENOUGH. I wanted OUT of the pool to dry up a little since I was shivering adn recovering from two cramps.
I got out of the swimming pool and the warm sun dried me up and I felt good and calm. But we had a quiz in just a few minutes at that time so I knew I had to jump back into the pool and practice.
I got in the pool and no later than 30 seconds, I saw my classmates getting out of the pool. The instructor announced the quiz would be done next week. Good news? Yes. But now the showers were ALL completely taken after they were sunny and vacant when I dried up just seconds before.
EVENT: THE SHOWERS GET TAKEN AWAY QUICKLY
I got out of the pool and waited for my turn to take a shower. But unlike last term when there where delays between the time our section and another section (on the other side of the pool) uses the showers, this term there wasn't a delay. If all the showers were taken by classmates, just turning around to get the towel you'd turn back and notice that half of the showers your classmates were just on now had the other section on them.
I did manage to take a shower but to change into dry clothes was impossible. All the stalls were taken by the other section and after waiting for nearly 20 more minutes and about 80% of the class already going home... I decided I had dried up enough already by waiting-- to just put on my chocolate slacks and go to the dorm.
Kuya Rheyan accompanied me towards the dormitory from PLS since he was going to attend a meeting for CLA blocks. In the dorm room, I txt'd Badge and Kate "Meet tayo 6:10pm at 7-11." (for going to Ate Angge's since there was a fiesta in her area).
So it was only "5:45pm" and I decided to "wash away all the negative" by taking another and totally refreshing shower in my dorm. I did so and came out at "6:05pm" to receive four txt msgs. Two or three of them said "Nand2 na kami." and the time it had when they sent it was "5:30pm".
I was flushed with guilt instantly and like before, panic'd to put on my watch, secure my belongings, and get to 7-11 ASAP. I was already worried they were gone, and worse, angry.
Basil suddenly called me just when I was about seconds away from finishing and leaving. He told me my classmate was calling me. I then felt confused... I walked outside and saw a smile. It was Kate! And she didn't look angry. She even went inside the school again all the way from 7-11! I could not believe it, she's amazing and so patient. That smile just loosened the tension a bit, but still I knew they had been waiting for 45 minutes already so I had to get my ass moving.
* * *
The Party
We rushed out of La Salle and down the acacia lined avenue as it was half-dark already since the sun just set during that walk. I crossed the street suddenly to buy film for my newly repaired camera and then I didn't know they followed me across too. Woops. We crossed to get back to the La Salle side of the street so we could ride an AREA F jeepnee bound for Ate Angge's.
On the great-slash-miserable Thursday I had this week
I never expected my Thursday to turn out the way it did. It was all set to be one great and normal day of the week. Classes, long breaks, and of course Swimming to conclude the day. However, it did not turn out that way.
I've been repeating this story to close friends and dorm mates. I think it's the first longest "kwento" I've ever had to tell people about.
***
Everything was going normal and fine for English class which started at 7 o'clock in the morning. I was running a bit late, but that's nothing compared to later on.
After English Class, Maycee received a message from her co-news writer Oliver, that there was a seminar that required all members of the HF to be present. I didn't want to go because I wanted to join my classmates in Brejanah Cafe for the first time this new year and enjoy Breakfast.
But duty comes first and I joined Maycee on the long walk to the Administration Building from the construction yard that swallowed half of JFH. Eventually I'd end up inside CBA Basement One, Room 9 or the one in front of the mini-Chapel.
So the seminar took place and it was about leadership and St. La Salle, and the mood was like that of a recollection. We sang songs like that one revived by Jologs... "We are next in line...".
This seminar took me away from breakfast with classmates and from researching at the Library for Sociology class later at 1130 hrs. But we were excused from classes affected by the seminar.
***
I was excited to join my classmates at the Batibot, our place to hang out before proceeding to PLS. After eating with a lot of staffers of the HF under the largest pavillion inside Square Canteen, I joined my classmates at the Batibot. There, things were going good and they told me stories of how Sociology class was. They played "Shrades", and if you would know my classmates, it was extremely fun with acting talents, comedy, drama, and basically all of the above.
Since last year (Prelim Term, 2nd Semester) I always took awhile to pack up my stuff for Swimming, I decided to pack up my stuff the night before starting "now". So I went back to the dorm and grabbed the "Swim Kit" and of course I felt good that I finally had my very own combination lock that the PLS-Pool requires all swimmers to bring.
I took the bag and left for the Batibot where classmates waited. I arrived early so we didn't even leave for another five or ten minutes (a record, last term I would be found trying to catch up with my classmates who were half-way down the Covered Walk).
***
The Swimming Pool
We arrived at PLS and I was beyond satisfied with having completed all the requirements to get into the swimming pool. Those would be (1) combination lock AND (2) registration form. I proceeded up the steps to the lockers.
There, I hadn't set the new combination lock I had so I had Emil help me with it. It took a while to set it up because it was hard to access the reset-numbers thing. After about 5 minutes, half my classmates were already down in the showers and perhaps another 1/4 were already in the swimming pool.
It finally was set and I locked it closed (not on the locker, but by itself) and tested the combination.
EVENT: THE NEWLY SET LOCK-NUMBER DIDN'T OPEN
I was now greatly worried, and we tried neighboring combinations (example: 450 would be 449 or 451) and it still didn't work. I spent another five minutes trying to open it as about 3/4 of my class were already in the swimming pool.
I found out you have to "snap" the lock open not just "pull it normally". So I was relieved. I emptied my pockets, set up my locker, and prepared to join my classmates down at the swimming pool.
As I unbuttoned my barong polo uniform, I suddenly realized that I was not wearing my swimming trunks!!! I always wear my trunks in the dorm room before going to PLS so it's less effort. But since I wanted to grab my packed bag earlier and join my classmates in the fastest way possible, I forgot that I didn't pack my trunks because I always plan on wearing them there.
EVENT: I LEFT MY SWIMMING TRUNKS
I now panic'd and was feeling bad. I realized I had to walk BACK to my DORM ROOM which was over a KILOMETER away into the heart of the campus! I already walked to PLS with classmates from the Batibot near the Admin, and now I had to return to my dorm room!!
I started cursing. My stuff were placed inside a locker but I had to keep the lock to get "back" into the PLS-Swimming Pool. Bullshit! I had to pick out the things i needed, and find a place to hide it. Ate Jo let me use her locker and after that I informed the familiar Guard watching the gate to the pool about my sudden big problem.
Immedietly I ran as fast as I could (no one was in the area) up towards the Covered Walk. I arrived into my dorm room ten minutes later extremely tired. I wore my trunks, and left the dorm to return to PLS. Another ten minutes!
By the time I arrived at the pool, my classmates were in the swimming pool looking up and listening to our instructor, Ms. Davin. It felt stupid to still be wearing a uniform when all my classmates were in the swimming pool. I went up the stairs and then suddenly, due to stress and fatigue, forgot that Ate Jo's locker has a lock obviously and I didn't know the combination.
Balik nanaman. I went down the stairs to search for Ate Jo. I couldn't find her so I looked like an idiot standing there on the stairs and sticking out as my classmates listened to our professor. I found Ate Jo and got the combination, got my things, locked them in my locker, took a quick shower, and since I was already late... I didn't use the ladder to decend into the pool, I just quietly jumped in which made an unexpected loud splash amidst the silence and calmness of the pool and the rest of my class.
I think they burst out laughing as I accidentally made that loud splash. Basically when I got in, it was time to practice what they were just taught moments before.
I was still bad trip and tired, but hearing the voices, the laughter, the fun and energy of my classmates and how happy they were swimming in the pool is what kept me in the pool. If it wasn't for their smiles, then I would be found giving up already and in the corner under the Kiosk.
Suddenly, I started to shiver because of the cold winds of January. I practiced to what they learned and all was going well until I suddenly felt a cramp on my right foot. I was suddenly paralyzed.
EVENT: PARALYZED BY THE CRAMPS
Since it was the second time I had a cramp on my right foot while in the swimming pool, I already knew how to control it slowly. It was quite painful but at least I knew how to relax the cramp.
But that's when something worse even happened.
I started to have a cramp, not on the foot, but on the lower part of my left leg. I didn't know what exactly to stretch out and I was feeling paralyzing pain already while in the swimming pool. Nearby classmates assisted me and thanks to Maycee and Eric (i just noticed, the co-writers of the HF in our class). I had had ENOUGH. I wanted OUT of the pool to dry up a little since I was shivering adn recovering from two cramps.
I got out of the swimming pool and the warm sun dried me up and I felt good and calm. But we had a quiz in just a few minutes at that time so I knew I had to jump back into the pool and practice.
I got in the pool and no later than 30 seconds, I saw my classmates getting out of the pool. The instructor announced the quiz would be done next week. Good news? Yes. But now the showers were ALL completely taken after they were sunny and vacant when I dried up just seconds before.
EVENT: THE SHOWERS GET TAKEN AWAY QUICKLY
I got out of the pool and waited for my turn to take a shower. But unlike last term when there where delays between the time our section and another section (on the other side of the pool) uses the showers, this term there wasn't a delay. If all the showers were taken by classmates, just turning around to get the towel you'd turn back and notice that half of the showers your classmates were just on now had the other section on them.
I did manage to take a shower but to change into dry clothes was impossible. All the stalls were taken by the other section and after waiting for nearly 20 more minutes and about 80% of the class already going home... I decided I had dried up enough already by waiting-- to just put on my chocolate slacks and go to the dorm.
Kuya Rheyan accompanied me towards the dormitory from PLS since he was going to attend a meeting for CLA blocks. In the dorm room, I txt'd Badge and Kate "Meet tayo 6:10pm at 7-11." (for going to Ate Angge's since there was a fiesta in her area).
So it was only "5:45pm" and I decided to "wash away all the negative" by taking another and totally refreshing shower in my dorm. I did so and came out at "6:05pm" to receive four txt msgs. Two or three of them said "Nand2 na kami." and the time it had when they sent it was "5:30pm".
I was flushed with guilt instantly and like before, panic'd to put on my watch, secure my belongings, and get to 7-11 ASAP. I was already worried they were gone, and worse, angry.
Basil suddenly called me just when I was about seconds away from finishing and leaving. He told me my classmate was calling me. I then felt confused... I walked outside and saw a smile. It was Kate! And she didn't look angry. She even went inside the school again all the way from 7-11! I could not believe it, she's amazing and so patient. That smile just loosened the tension a bit, but still I knew they had been waiting for 45 minutes already so I had to get my ass moving.
* * *
The Party
We rushed out of La Salle and down the acacia lined avenue as it was half-dark already since the sun just set during that walk. I crossed the street suddenly to buy film for my newly repaired camera and then I didn't know they followed me across too. Woops. We crossed to get back to the La Salle side of the street so we could ride an AREA F jeepnee bound for Ate Angge's.
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
The House of Heartbreak
If my life were a television show, those would be the title of the past two episodes. Two episodes almost complete by Wednesday. It's so fast for just 2-3 days into the week.
Unexpected twists and turns swirl the start of the Midterms. It started out happy with seeing my friends again, than it flips into the troubled love lives of some unmentioned classmates. I don't want to mention names since this is a highly sensitive issue at the same time needs to be blogged.
***
Last night I didn't expect I'd be sleeping over at Maycee's house. I was there along with Tina, Upper, Danielle, Katz, and of course Maycee. I was the only guy present, but these were my trusted classmates. I went with them expecting to fix one or two problems with their Powerpoint presentation for the BioSci Project. It turned out around half past 8 o'clock in the evening and only 30 minutes before Curfew at the dorms (everyone except Maycee dorms inside La Salle)... they freaked out and feared the curfew.
Suddenly I would be forced to stay overnight. I couldn't finish my own contribution to my group project. Kate has been working very hard on that project, and I always feel terrible when I don't do my part. I mean, I do my part, but it's not as much as Kate. Thank YOU .
(Due to NETOPIA DASMA-2's constant troubles with posting using BLOGGER and BLOGSPOT, the rest of this post was cut. I had printed the rest of this entry and will update this when I get home in Tanza this Saturday)
If my life were a television show, those would be the title of the past two episodes. Two episodes almost complete by Wednesday. It's so fast for just 2-3 days into the week.
Unexpected twists and turns swirl the start of the Midterms. It started out happy with seeing my friends again, than it flips into the troubled love lives of some unmentioned classmates. I don't want to mention names since this is a highly sensitive issue at the same time needs to be blogged.
***
Last night I didn't expect I'd be sleeping over at Maycee's house. I was there along with Tina, Upper, Danielle, Katz, and of course Maycee. I was the only guy present, but these were my trusted classmates. I went with them expecting to fix one or two problems with their Powerpoint presentation for the BioSci Project. It turned out around half past 8 o'clock in the evening and only 30 minutes before Curfew at the dorms (everyone except Maycee dorms inside La Salle)... they freaked out and feared the curfew.
Suddenly I would be forced to stay overnight. I couldn't finish my own contribution to my group project. Kate has been working very hard on that project, and I always feel terrible when I don't do my part. I mean, I do my part, but it's not as much as Kate. Thank YOU .
(Due to NETOPIA DASMA-2's constant troubles with posting using BLOGGER and BLOGSPOT, the rest of this post was cut. I had printed the rest of this entry and will update this when I get home in Tanza this Saturday)
Monday, January 06, 2003
ABOUT BROADJOURN 2006
All members of the JOU1-1 class are requested to join this exclusive online forum. A great place to connect with classmates, interact, and share messages and pictures. Make opinions and take surveys with the Polls. Chat with a classmate. Store pictures and other data you wish to share. All here at the new Broadjourn2006!
Broadjourn & Dorm Life: Back and Better
When counting how many students are in the class during Career Pathing, I heard 44. 44?! That's the number of students in the class now after I thought it was 45+?! Well here is some good news. Camille said she's returning and Erian is also coming back this summer. Currently, the class isn't falling apart. I don't think it'll ever fall apart as long as Tina, William, Kats, Arjay, Eric, Kate, Emil, Ayesha, and other Broadjourn-elite (those who choose to graduate with a degree in AB Broadcast Journalism) don't leave or don't reconsider their career path.
This Broadjourn thing isn't really the topic. I've returned to La Salle and filled with smiles it was as we reunited we each other. I'm glad I'm back, I'm glad we're all back.
Emil and Joanna got a haircut. Mendy colored her hair. Jeremy and Emil both started to wear brown pants, on the other hand, Jerson remains with black pants, still a rebel fighter. Everyone is looking healthy after the food-enriched Holiday Season.
In the dorms, everyone looks "recent" and "alive". Basil looks more serious. I haven't seen Brian yet. Karl fixed his hair up back to normal and away from the semi-kal he had at the start of the semester. Lance is also moving away from the semi-kal look. Jan's hair looks a bit longer. It's the hair that has changed from before. The faces and the jokes are still the same.
My move back into the dorm wasn't a complete hassle. The only thing that delayed me from finishing unpacking was I was just so deep into conversation with everyone I was seeing.
Joel has good news. His father just got promoted to Vice-Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces. That included spending his New Year with his father and family in Baguio. A handshake with Madam President herself. Joel's father is moving to Camp Aguinaldo, and it's still uncertain where Joel will be going. He's La Salle - Dasma still, but I'm not sure if he'll dorm for that long.
Well again, I haven't been that close to Joel this whole 2nd Semester. He's been missing his High School friends a lot I think, since he is eager to return home on Tuesday nights since his only class on Wednesday is in the afternoon. I don't know, but as he gets into other people to talk to, some new guy name Aldrich gets closer to us.
Aldrich, like Lance and myself, is a Military Brat. Children of the US Armed Forces. No biggie, we could relate on things that others can't relate to us with. It's very cool. He gave Rona a Christmas and New Year's Gift earlier. Rona did feel guilty since she didn't want to carry her gift around all day and flash it in front of her friends and classmates. I noticed how she discreetly placed the gift as she brought it with her.
*** *** ***
I'm with Alex now at ERS, 4 o'clock batch, on #42. He's on #41. I'm teaching him on how to start a blog. He's a ComSci student, so maybe if I pass blogfever onto him... he'll pass it onto his classmates, which include Veejay Siongco (HS Batchmate). Than the whole MAH will start to blog... than the whole ERS will be blogging... than the whole University!!! *evil laugh*
Actually, I just want him to have one. Or at least get to know what a blog is so we can talk about blogs. He's done a lot already for me. He's let me print from his computer, use his computer, hang out in his room, etc. So I feel I owe it to him, to welcome him to what I do.
That's it for now. I've got to post at BroadJourn2006. Plus, #42 isn't the fastest computer in ERS... good day.
When counting how many students are in the class during Career Pathing, I heard 44. 44?! That's the number of students in the class now after I thought it was 45+?! Well here is some good news. Camille said she's returning and Erian is also coming back this summer. Currently, the class isn't falling apart. I don't think it'll ever fall apart as long as Tina, William, Kats, Arjay, Eric, Kate, Emil, Ayesha, and other Broadjourn-elite (those who choose to graduate with a degree in AB Broadcast Journalism) don't leave or don't reconsider their career path.
This Broadjourn thing isn't really the topic. I've returned to La Salle and filled with smiles it was as we reunited we each other. I'm glad I'm back, I'm glad we're all back.
Emil and Joanna got a haircut. Mendy colored her hair. Jeremy and Emil both started to wear brown pants, on the other hand, Jerson remains with black pants, still a rebel fighter. Everyone is looking healthy after the food-enriched Holiday Season.
In the dorms, everyone looks "recent" and "alive". Basil looks more serious. I haven't seen Brian yet. Karl fixed his hair up back to normal and away from the semi-kal he had at the start of the semester. Lance is also moving away from the semi-kal look. Jan's hair looks a bit longer. It's the hair that has changed from before. The faces and the jokes are still the same.
My move back into the dorm wasn't a complete hassle. The only thing that delayed me from finishing unpacking was I was just so deep into conversation with everyone I was seeing.
Joel has good news. His father just got promoted to Vice-Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces. That included spending his New Year with his father and family in Baguio. A handshake with Madam President herself. Joel's father is moving to Camp Aguinaldo, and it's still uncertain where Joel will be going. He's La Salle - Dasma still, but I'm not sure if he'll dorm for that long.
Well again, I haven't been that close to Joel this whole 2nd Semester. He's been missing his High School friends a lot I think, since he is eager to return home on Tuesday nights since his only class on Wednesday is in the afternoon. I don't know, but as he gets into other people to talk to, some new guy name Aldrich gets closer to us.
Aldrich, like Lance and myself, is a Military Brat. Children of the US Armed Forces. No biggie, we could relate on things that others can't relate to us with. It's very cool. He gave Rona a Christmas and New Year's Gift earlier. Rona did feel guilty since she didn't want to carry her gift around all day and flash it in front of her friends and classmates. I noticed how she discreetly placed the gift as she brought it with her.
*** *** ***
I'm with Alex now at ERS, 4 o'clock batch, on #42. He's on #41. I'm teaching him on how to start a blog. He's a ComSci student, so maybe if I pass blogfever onto him... he'll pass it onto his classmates, which include Veejay Siongco (HS Batchmate). Than the whole MAH will start to blog... than the whole ERS will be blogging... than the whole University!!! *evil laugh*
Actually, I just want him to have one. Or at least get to know what a blog is so we can talk about blogs. He's done a lot already for me. He's let me print from his computer, use his computer, hang out in his room, etc. So I feel I owe it to him, to welcome him to what I do.
That's it for now. I've got to post at BroadJourn2006. Plus, #42 isn't the fastest computer in ERS... good day.
Sunday, January 05, 2003
THE RETURN TO MID-TERM EARTH
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #26
The last three months of the 2nd Semester are up ahead. Time flies by so fast. It was only yesterday I remember meeting new friends, facing those panel interviews in organizations, moments of moving into the dorm, those times in Square Canteen just sitting there studying, or reading, or talking, and of course eating.
This incoming week will start off with release of test papers I guess. The Preliminary Examinations closed the 2002 portion of our current School Year. Reviving my thoughts on the results, I think I did fairly well on all of them exception to the Sciences. But as I see it, these results might be the best so far compared to any of the 1st Semester exams. Hopefully my speculation is true, and hopefully I started the 2nd Semester smoothly.
In dorm life, which resumes in a few hours, I'm hoping to move in and be organized. I have to clean the kitchen inside F3 (my duty, while Lance does the bathroom). I couldn't clean it two Fridays ago since I didn't have a sponge.
I've already admitted I'm actually missing the times hanging out with the guys. Being away from them and other friends, being isolated, has been one experience these past two weeks. I want to return and talk about VCD movies, FHMs, events around the school, etc.
There are still some projects to name. A quiz in Reed-2 on our first meeting this Midterm. I'm not exactly sure if it's a critically graded quiz, but all I know is that the person with the highest score will get to watch [Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers] for free, because she'll pay for him or her. It's a prize, and sounds cool, but no matter what I'll be watching "Lord of the Rings 2". I haven't even studied the selection of the Gospel yet.
And of course there's the [Biological Science] project that's frustrating because I can't help Kate on it. Coordination with this project has been terrible. Members of our group are scattered everywhere. Las Piñas to Tanza to Dasmariñas. Hopefully we can conclude this project and do finishing touches during the first two days of the week.
NSTP-CWTSP and PE Swimming this week. I keep thinking we won't go on-location in NSTP and we won't go swimming this week in PE. But I remind myself that these classes don't stop for any reason. So on Tuesday, NSTP brings us back to Barangay Bautista Zone #10 where I get to see my family if they're still there. (Ate Rose might be working abroad in Dubai, meaning she'll send her two kids back to Antique). I like my current assigned family. Ate Rose is easy to get along with, she understands my taglish, and we're used to each other in friendly talk. I'm fearful because I'm hearing from some of my classmates that their families don't click with them. If they can't click to "great talkers" that Broadjourn have so many of, what will happen to me with my taglish?! I have to find another good family just in case.
In Swimming, I left the Preliminary Term happy. Good grade in the Prelim Exam, and for the first time in my life I could swim. Maybe the technique isn't mastered yet, but I'm staying afloat and crossing one side of the pool to the other without stopping. I like this subject, and I look forward to studying the other swimming techniques such as the backstroke, treading, etc.
For the Heraldo Filipino, the release of the Lasalleño which was a Christmas Edition and was delayed last month, will be in mid-January. I don't know how it'll turn out. If one of my articles gets published in it, my article ends with something like "so this Christmas, don't spend it alone.... blah blah blah".
I guess no worries there. Just new assignments for the Broadsheet perhaps and of course time to get working on the next Lasalleño, the special edition one to celebrate ten years.
Here's to a great week! To reunite with classmates, friends, dormers, and the atmosphere of La Salle Dasmariñas.
Title in Review: The title is explains itself already with a twist of "Lord of the Rings" into it. (Middle Earth)
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Week #26
The last three months of the 2nd Semester are up ahead. Time flies by so fast. It was only yesterday I remember meeting new friends, facing those panel interviews in organizations, moments of moving into the dorm, those times in Square Canteen just sitting there studying, or reading, or talking, and of course eating.
This incoming week will start off with release of test papers I guess. The Preliminary Examinations closed the 2002 portion of our current School Year. Reviving my thoughts on the results, I think I did fairly well on all of them exception to the Sciences. But as I see it, these results might be the best so far compared to any of the 1st Semester exams. Hopefully my speculation is true, and hopefully I started the 2nd Semester smoothly.
In dorm life, which resumes in a few hours, I'm hoping to move in and be organized. I have to clean the kitchen inside F3 (my duty, while Lance does the bathroom). I couldn't clean it two Fridays ago since I didn't have a sponge.
I've already admitted I'm actually missing the times hanging out with the guys. Being away from them and other friends, being isolated, has been one experience these past two weeks. I want to return and talk about VCD movies, FHMs, events around the school, etc.
There are still some projects to name. A quiz in Reed-2 on our first meeting this Midterm. I'm not exactly sure if it's a critically graded quiz, but all I know is that the person with the highest score will get to watch [Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers] for free, because she'll pay for him or her. It's a prize, and sounds cool, but no matter what I'll be watching "Lord of the Rings 2". I haven't even studied the selection of the Gospel yet.
And of course there's the [Biological Science] project that's frustrating because I can't help Kate on it. Coordination with this project has been terrible. Members of our group are scattered everywhere. Las Piñas to Tanza to Dasmariñas. Hopefully we can conclude this project and do finishing touches during the first two days of the week.
NSTP-CWTSP and PE Swimming this week. I keep thinking we won't go on-location in NSTP and we won't go swimming this week in PE. But I remind myself that these classes don't stop for any reason. So on Tuesday, NSTP brings us back to Barangay Bautista Zone #10 where I get to see my family if they're still there. (Ate Rose might be working abroad in Dubai, meaning she'll send her two kids back to Antique). I like my current assigned family. Ate Rose is easy to get along with, she understands my taglish, and we're used to each other in friendly talk. I'm fearful because I'm hearing from some of my classmates that their families don't click with them. If they can't click to "great talkers" that Broadjourn have so many of, what will happen to me with my taglish?! I have to find another good family just in case.
In Swimming, I left the Preliminary Term happy. Good grade in the Prelim Exam, and for the first time in my life I could swim. Maybe the technique isn't mastered yet, but I'm staying afloat and crossing one side of the pool to the other without stopping. I like this subject, and I look forward to studying the other swimming techniques such as the backstroke, treading, etc.
For the Heraldo Filipino, the release of the Lasalleño which was a Christmas Edition and was delayed last month, will be in mid-January. I don't know how it'll turn out. If one of my articles gets published in it, my article ends with something like "so this Christmas, don't spend it alone.... blah blah blah".
I guess no worries there. Just new assignments for the Broadsheet perhaps and of course time to get working on the next Lasalleño, the special edition one to celebrate ten years.
Here's to a great week! To reunite with classmates, friends, dormers, and the atmosphere of La Salle Dasmariñas.
Title in Review: The title is explains itself already with a twist of "Lord of the Rings" into it. (Middle Earth)
Of Watching War Movies
It was showing on Japanese BS2. I started this vacation in a mood to watch war movies, and although I only watched two (Windtalkers, We Were Soldiers), I couldn't give up yet so I caught most of "Saving Private Ryan" on BS2. It was in English.
Why do these war movies have these silent endings?! I mean, I know there's this grandeur ending to these war movies, but it's starting to get irritating. In [Windtalkers], the ending could have used more enumeration. Instead of skipping so many things that could be placed into detail. I guess the moment a lead dies, you go straight to the end of the movie. No time for the others who were in the story. That's just my opinion.
When I watch these war movies, I just like to imagine what I would do if I were there. I'm not exactly trying to say "cut" and "paste" here, but if I was under training for so long, placing patriotism for my country. It doesn't have to be just "for the Philippines", but also for what my dad worked for.
In the battlefield, those emotions felt. It makes me want to try out acting! But if i remember correctly, my "acting career" died in Senior Year High School after I wrote a script that all my group members memorized except me, and I was the only one in the play that brought the whole damn thing down.
And funny, that play involved swordfighting and Musketeers.
I'm going to catch more War Movies this year. I want to watch [Black Hawk Down] again, that had good sound effects. If I remember, it won an Academy Award for sound effects, I think. [Band of Brothers], which I want so badly to have in my VCD/Movie collection that i've started, is actually NOW ON SALE. It was at SM Southmall. For P2,000.
Yikes. Maybe next time.
I'm just in the mood of war movies. So far I believe [Saving Private Ryan] and [Band of Brothers], both of which involve the great Tom Hanks, are the grestest. [We Were Soldiers] brought in more feelings of the homeland, and of course the ending was a silent stir. [Windtalkers] has a unique concept, especially the part when Ben Yahzee pretended he was Japanese. [Black Hawk Down] as I try to remember, had great scenes and lots of helicopters (well, of course, the title already has a Helicopter in it). [Pearl Harbor] on the other hand was Historical and since "Disney" had a part in making it, the lines between Romance and total-Action were blurry. I loved [Pearl Harbor] nevertheless.
What ever happened to the movie about the Bataan Death March that I heard Tom Cruise would be doing? All those Hollywood Guys have done movies already, when is Tom Cruise entering the scene. [Top Gun] was ages ago, although a classic.
It's getting late now, I have a few places to surf as I close my last night of the vacation. Tomorrow night (Sunday night) I'll be in the dorms already. Good night.
It was showing on Japanese BS2. I started this vacation in a mood to watch war movies, and although I only watched two (Windtalkers, We Were Soldiers), I couldn't give up yet so I caught most of "Saving Private Ryan" on BS2. It was in English.
Why do these war movies have these silent endings?! I mean, I know there's this grandeur ending to these war movies, but it's starting to get irritating. In [Windtalkers], the ending could have used more enumeration. Instead of skipping so many things that could be placed into detail. I guess the moment a lead dies, you go straight to the end of the movie. No time for the others who were in the story. That's just my opinion.
When I watch these war movies, I just like to imagine what I would do if I were there. I'm not exactly trying to say "cut" and "paste" here, but if I was under training for so long, placing patriotism for my country. It doesn't have to be just "for the Philippines", but also for what my dad worked for.
In the battlefield, those emotions felt. It makes me want to try out acting! But if i remember correctly, my "acting career" died in Senior Year High School after I wrote a script that all my group members memorized except me, and I was the only one in the play that brought the whole damn thing down.
And funny, that play involved swordfighting and Musketeers.
I'm going to catch more War Movies this year. I want to watch [Black Hawk Down] again, that had good sound effects. If I remember, it won an Academy Award for sound effects, I think. [Band of Brothers], which I want so badly to have in my VCD/Movie collection that i've started, is actually NOW ON SALE. It was at SM Southmall. For P2,000.
Yikes. Maybe next time.
I'm just in the mood of war movies. So far I believe [Saving Private Ryan] and [Band of Brothers], both of which involve the great Tom Hanks, are the grestest. [We Were Soldiers] brought in more feelings of the homeland, and of course the ending was a silent stir. [Windtalkers] has a unique concept, especially the part when Ben Yahzee pretended he was Japanese. [Black Hawk Down] as I try to remember, had great scenes and lots of helicopters (well, of course, the title already has a Helicopter in it). [Pearl Harbor] on the other hand was Historical and since "Disney" had a part in making it, the lines between Romance and total-Action were blurry. I loved [Pearl Harbor] nevertheless.
What ever happened to the movie about the Bataan Death March that I heard Tom Cruise would be doing? All those Hollywood Guys have done movies already, when is Tom Cruise entering the scene. [Top Gun] was ages ago, although a classic.
It's getting late now, I have a few places to surf as I close my last night of the vacation. Tomorrow night (Sunday night) I'll be in the dorms already. Good night.
Saturday, January 04, 2003
A glimpse into my Cellphone Inbox
(22) Twenty-two Messages counted
D0RM Aldrich
-BRJM Kate
D0RM Aldrich
D0RM Aldrich
-BRJM Kate
+639167103...
-Mom
Jhen's Mom
D0RM Aldrich
-BRJM Jezire
Jhen's Mom
BRJM William
SMRT Service
G7 Joy Anne
D0RM Aldrich
D0rm Aldrich
-BRJM Jezire
D0RM Aldrich
D0RM Aldrich
-D0RM Lance
BRJM Arazelli
D0RM Joel
D0RM Aldrich
(22) Twenty-two Messages counted
D0RM Aldrich
-BRJM Kate
D0RM Aldrich
D0RM Aldrich
-BRJM Kate
+639167103...
-Mom
Jhen's Mom
D0RM Aldrich
-BRJM Jezire
Jhen's Mom
BRJM William
SMRT Service
G7 Joy Anne
D0RM Aldrich
D0rm Aldrich
-BRJM Jezire
D0RM Aldrich
D0RM Aldrich
-D0RM Lance
BRJM Arazelli
D0RM Joel
D0RM Aldrich
Brodcst Msktir News Update: Page Loading Issues
Due to the lengthy time it usually takes the new layout "Blue Flash & Sparkle" to load, the thirty-plus sample pictures found throughout the columns on both sides have been taken out. Instead, an automated image displayer will soon be installed to randomly load only one of those pictures at a time or when the page is loaded itself. The estimated download time of this blog should be around 25% faster.
Due to the lengthy time it usually takes the new layout "Blue Flash & Sparkle" to load, the thirty-plus sample pictures found throughout the columns on both sides have been taken out. Instead, an automated image displayer will soon be installed to randomly load only one of those pictures at a time or when the page is loaded itself. The estimated download time of this blog should be around 25% faster.
IT BEGINS WHERE IT ENDS
The Damage Report - Holiday Special - Week 2 of 2
NOTE: this is a special post to conclude the events of the past week. this is the last of a two-week Christmas Break featuring "the damage report".
The past week has been a stir of a few movies, lots of music, and of course the sounds that rocked the skies last Tuesday night. After all of that, only the music and the eerie calm after the New Year Celebrations.
My NOKIA 3350 is officially broken. I've said that many times, but I'll mention it again since it was pronounced a "dead-set" not only by Wellcom, but by the NOKIA CARE service center inside Semicom in SM Southmall last Wednesday. If the creators of the cellphone say it's dead, it's dead.
Yes, I'm saddened by the loss of such a great surviving phone. Lance said "you did take care of it.". I guess he saw that on those many days that I announced to my room mates as I left the room "I'm leaving my phone here, I don't want it snatched or get involved in a hold-up. My phone will stay right here, on our little Cell*Spot." (Cell*spot is a cellphone holder tray that Lance and I constructed by the door).
I did take care of that phone! No doubt about that. I housed it in a white rubber silicon case or whatever when I bought it. I remember back at Bryan's despidida at how people who wanted to borrow my phone got irritated at the protection of the phone... it was hard to press the buttons.
The phone did not last a year. It was a Graduation Gift for me by my parents from the 1st of April back in 2002. I was perfectly content with that phone. I wanted a phone that wasn't "demanding to be up-to-date" AND still "didn't stick out completely in the cellphone market". The NOKIA 3350, it's a 33xx that is different than a widely used 3310, and no one could really argue it being "out-dated" because it wasn't anyways, and if the 3310 becomes out-dated someday in the future, the 3350 would still "last longer". That's my theory.
But for some unknown reason, it's dead and it's gone.
Speaking of gone, 2002 has wrapped up and is over with. Sad "our" year has ended. Enough about that already, that's why I made a "Year in Review" of 2002.
In with 2003, and the past week I've been completing layout after layout after layout. I've yet to work on the A2k2 Website Splash page and place a TAG-BOARD on it, I still need to catalog a few more things, brush up on invitations for the just completed Broadjourn Yahoo! Group, and of course pack up for moving back into the dorm.
Movies watched this past week were [Moulin Rouge] and [Minority Report]. Lots of listening to Magic 89.9 also, like the "Year-end Countdown" last Tuesday night on New Years' Eve.
Two more days of Vacation... wait, let's make that one more day. Sunday is all-packing and no-absolute freedom.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually missing the guys now. Hanging out, just surviving in the dorm rooms, sleeping, waking up, walking in our uniforms up and down the hall, signing that friggin' log book all the time. I miss seeing that lame punching bag hanging on a tree in front of neighboring F4.
Those nights were we'd just go out to eat. Name the place: Fiat, Brejanah Cafe, Hidden Tapsi, Jatayna's, Waltermart McDo, Starluck, and 7-11 to name.
Basil's extremely loud voice. The way Karl would enter a room. Brian walking down the hall seriously after making the curfew just as he said good night to his girlfriend. The quiet F6... Alex playing the piano, Lance's classmate Vince studying and already asleep. JP or "the lonestar" as he'd be found in F6 (his room is F7, the "empty room" since the 2 occupants always go out). Of course, Allan, working around the clock in the room. Then of course, Francis of F2, from Davao, always visiting F3 since no one's in F2. Mark of F1, barely goes out of his room, but when he does, he can ignite extremely long conversations with people. One time Lance spoke with him in F3 last November and the conversation didn't die down until 4 o'clock in the morning. I've also been victim, Mark is practicing his english (he's in the Accountancy "Survivors" class, he made it beyond the cut, but his english is his weakness).
Then of course we enter my own room. My room mate Jan, returning from Swim Varsity training...listens to a lot of rock and alternative music. Then of course, my other room mate, Lance himself. He would be found using his computer, reading an FHM that was passed onto him, or walking around outside talking to others.
This atmosphere returns in less than three days. We'll have to wait for my "Carpe Noctem" post, the first one this new year.
Other than thinking about next week, this week itself ends with new cement hardening in our backyard as mom had a cement pathway extended up towards the part just under my air condition in the backyard.
And that seems to be it. On the next "The Damage Report", we return to normal back in La Salle as the new Midterm begins.
Title in Review: "It begins where it ended" is just in reference to how this past week was split because half of it is in 2002, and the other half is in 2003.
The Damage Report - Holiday Special - Week 2 of 2
NOTE: this is a special post to conclude the events of the past week. this is the last of a two-week Christmas Break featuring "the damage report".
The past week has been a stir of a few movies, lots of music, and of course the sounds that rocked the skies last Tuesday night. After all of that, only the music and the eerie calm after the New Year Celebrations.
My NOKIA 3350 is officially broken. I've said that many times, but I'll mention it again since it was pronounced a "dead-set" not only by Wellcom, but by the NOKIA CARE service center inside Semicom in SM Southmall last Wednesday. If the creators of the cellphone say it's dead, it's dead.
Yes, I'm saddened by the loss of such a great surviving phone. Lance said "you did take care of it.". I guess he saw that on those many days that I announced to my room mates as I left the room "I'm leaving my phone here, I don't want it snatched or get involved in a hold-up. My phone will stay right here, on our little Cell*Spot." (Cell*spot is a cellphone holder tray that Lance and I constructed by the door).
I did take care of that phone! No doubt about that. I housed it in a white rubber silicon case or whatever when I bought it. I remember back at Bryan's despidida at how people who wanted to borrow my phone got irritated at the protection of the phone... it was hard to press the buttons.
The phone did not last a year. It was a Graduation Gift for me by my parents from the 1st of April back in 2002. I was perfectly content with that phone. I wanted a phone that wasn't "demanding to be up-to-date" AND still "didn't stick out completely in the cellphone market". The NOKIA 3350, it's a 33xx that is different than a widely used 3310, and no one could really argue it being "out-dated" because it wasn't anyways, and if the 3310 becomes out-dated someday in the future, the 3350 would still "last longer". That's my theory.
But for some unknown reason, it's dead and it's gone.
Speaking of gone, 2002 has wrapped up and is over with. Sad "our" year has ended. Enough about that already, that's why I made a "Year in Review" of 2002.
In with 2003, and the past week I've been completing layout after layout after layout. I've yet to work on the A2k2 Website Splash page and place a TAG-BOARD on it, I still need to catalog a few more things, brush up on invitations for the just completed Broadjourn Yahoo! Group, and of course pack up for moving back into the dorm.
Movies watched this past week were [Moulin Rouge] and [Minority Report]. Lots of listening to Magic 89.9 also, like the "Year-end Countdown" last Tuesday night on New Years' Eve.
Two more days of Vacation... wait, let's make that one more day. Sunday is all-packing and no-absolute freedom.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually missing the guys now. Hanging out, just surviving in the dorm rooms, sleeping, waking up, walking in our uniforms up and down the hall, signing that friggin' log book all the time. I miss seeing that lame punching bag hanging on a tree in front of neighboring F4.
Those nights were we'd just go out to eat. Name the place: Fiat, Brejanah Cafe, Hidden Tapsi, Jatayna's, Waltermart McDo, Starluck, and 7-11 to name.
Basil's extremely loud voice. The way Karl would enter a room. Brian walking down the hall seriously after making the curfew just as he said good night to his girlfriend. The quiet F6... Alex playing the piano, Lance's classmate Vince studying and already asleep. JP or "the lonestar" as he'd be found in F6 (his room is F7, the "empty room" since the 2 occupants always go out). Of course, Allan, working around the clock in the room. Then of course, Francis of F2, from Davao, always visiting F3 since no one's in F2. Mark of F1, barely goes out of his room, but when he does, he can ignite extremely long conversations with people. One time Lance spoke with him in F3 last November and the conversation didn't die down until 4 o'clock in the morning. I've also been victim, Mark is practicing his english (he's in the Accountancy "Survivors" class, he made it beyond the cut, but his english is his weakness).
Then of course we enter my own room. My room mate Jan, returning from Swim Varsity training...listens to a lot of rock and alternative music. Then of course, my other room mate, Lance himself. He would be found using his computer, reading an FHM that was passed onto him, or walking around outside talking to others.
This atmosphere returns in less than three days. We'll have to wait for my "Carpe Noctem" post, the first one this new year.
Other than thinking about next week, this week itself ends with new cement hardening in our backyard as mom had a cement pathway extended up towards the part just under my air condition in the backyard.
And that seems to be it. On the next "The Damage Report", we return to normal back in La Salle as the new Midterm begins.
Title in Review: "It begins where it ended" is just in reference to how this past week was split because half of it is in 2002, and the other half is in 2003.
Friday, January 03, 2003
A LOOK BACK AT A SEMI-REUNION
I've got pictures to scan later on Friday (that's today, but it's midnight still) and I'm hoping to catalog more pictures and complete tweaking of the Broadjourn Blog + the Broadjourn Yahoo! Group. In the meantime, here are some pictures I've decided to share about a semi-reunion for the Atheneum Class of 2002.
The event was "The Search for Miss Atheneum 2003" and about 1/3 of the Graduated Class attended this to watch. This event took place inside our High School campus (Atheneum) on the night of December 12, 2002.
[left to right: lance, me, enrico, jaydee, and jed]
"Is this a Boy Band?"
Ok, start laughing if you know these people. I bet you're asking "Where's the 1/3 of the Graduated class?! Only Fiftheen graduated?!". Actually, I wanted to get a picture of those who did watch Miss Atheneum and who are members of Batch 2002. However, they all looked busy talking to each other that I am left with a regret that they didn't get captured on camera. Oh well. Enrico (front and center) said that "yes, we'll get a picture after the show.". But it turned out that the "1/3 of the Graduated Class" slowly left before the show ended. Only five guys of Batch 2002 were left in the Quadrangle...
[left to right: karl, joel, joyce, lance, aldrich and me]
"New Faces next to a Familiar Face"
I invited three dormmates to visit Atheneum with Lance and myself. Joel, Karl, and Aldrich. Anyways, we dragged these guys to watch a show that they probably didn't quite enjoy (quote: "Uh... what are we watching?) Well, it pays off... I mean, at least they saw our High School... the High School that Lance and I graduated from. In the above picture, we are with a familiar face.
The girl in the center is Joyce Mendez, currently a Senior at Atheneum (Class 2003). She's also english-speaking and like Aldrich, she's from Guam. However, I never got to know her completely... it's a "friend of a friend" thing. She's cool though.
Likewise having three people from our present life enter the atmosphere of our past life.
I've got pictures to scan later on Friday (that's today, but it's midnight still) and I'm hoping to catalog more pictures and complete tweaking of the Broadjourn Blog + the Broadjourn Yahoo! Group. In the meantime, here are some pictures I've decided to share about a semi-reunion for the Atheneum Class of 2002.
The event was "The Search for Miss Atheneum 2003" and about 1/3 of the Graduated Class attended this to watch. This event took place inside our High School campus (Atheneum) on the night of December 12, 2002.
[left to right: lance, me, enrico, jaydee, and jed]
"Is this a Boy Band?"
Ok, start laughing if you know these people. I bet you're asking "Where's the 1/3 of the Graduated class?! Only Fiftheen graduated?!". Actually, I wanted to get a picture of those who did watch Miss Atheneum and who are members of Batch 2002. However, they all looked busy talking to each other that I am left with a regret that they didn't get captured on camera. Oh well. Enrico (front and center) said that "yes, we'll get a picture after the show.". But it turned out that the "1/3 of the Graduated Class" slowly left before the show ended. Only five guys of Batch 2002 were left in the Quadrangle...
[left to right: karl, joel, joyce, lance, aldrich and me]
"New Faces next to a Familiar Face"
I invited three dormmates to visit Atheneum with Lance and myself. Joel, Karl, and Aldrich. Anyways, we dragged these guys to watch a show that they probably didn't quite enjoy (quote: "Uh... what are we watching?) Well, it pays off... I mean, at least they saw our High School... the High School that Lance and I graduated from. In the above picture, we are with a familiar face.
The girl in the center is Joyce Mendez, currently a Senior at Atheneum (Class 2003). She's also english-speaking and like Aldrich, she's from Guam. However, I never got to know her completely... it's a "friend of a friend" thing. She's cool though.
Likewise having three people from our present life enter the atmosphere of our past life.
MY RESOLUTIONS FOR 2003
After reviewing last year and looking at an outlook horoscope for 2003, I have finally composed and compiled my resolutions for 2003. Emphasis on the finally. I'm disappointed it took me until the 2nd of January to make it.
Anyways, flat out simple (in my offline journal, these resolutions are detailed). Drum roll please....
- Greatly develop my physical health (eat, sleep, study, and work out well)
- Receive no failing marks in final results (includes a GPA goal)
- Establish closer ties to all new and old friends (i want to know people more)
- Improve my work and writing for the Heraldo Filipino (i need improvement)
- End the year knowing how to Speak Tagalog/Pilipino fluently (a definite must)
- Do my part to maintain the integrity of Broadcast Journalism 2006 (keep the spirit up)
After reviewing last year and looking at an outlook horoscope for 2003, I have finally composed and compiled my resolutions for 2003. Emphasis on the finally. I'm disappointed it took me until the 2nd of January to make it.
Anyways, flat out simple (in my offline journal, these resolutions are detailed). Drum roll please....
- Greatly develop my physical health (eat, sleep, study, and work out well)
- Receive no failing marks in final results (includes a GPA goal)
- Establish closer ties to all new and old friends (i want to know people more)
- Improve my work and writing for the Heraldo Filipino (i need improvement)
- End the year knowing how to Speak Tagalog/Pilipino fluently (a definite must)
- Do my part to maintain the integrity of Broadcast Journalism 2006 (keep the spirit up)
Thursday, January 02, 2003
2003 FOR THE CRABS
Your energy level should be very high for most of 2003, and as a result you'll be able to get more accomplished than you've been able to manage in previous years. For this reason, it might be a good idea to work on projects, which you've always wanted to do, but have never had the time or energy to tackle. Have you always wanted to take up painting, writing, backpacking, or surfing? This is the year to do it! Don't allow yourself to make up excuses why you can't. Just do it!
Romance is going to have its ups and downs, but basically it's going to be very satisfying. You'll probably remain with the same partner throughout the year, or at least for most of it, and get closer with the passage of every month. Money should also be plentiful pretty much throughout 2003. There may be a temptation to overspend, but that's something you can easily curb if you set your mind to it.
Your career path looks smooth this year, with no more difficult intervals than you'd normally expect. There'll be at least one major change, and that for the better. Hard work will pay well.
For the most part, this should be a productive and enjoyable year for you on many levels. Make the most of the good times, and when they hit, don't let low spirits leave you discouraged. At year's end, you will be in a very positive space and looking forward to 2004.
***
I like it. Sounds good. Sounds like the way I want to spend 2003. Lots of energy? I really hope that's true or that happens... I like this Horoscope for 2003. ^_^ Get your Outlook Horoscope for the year 2003 (from Yahoo!) by clicking here.
Your energy level should be very high for most of 2003, and as a result you'll be able to get more accomplished than you've been able to manage in previous years. For this reason, it might be a good idea to work on projects, which you've always wanted to do, but have never had the time or energy to tackle. Have you always wanted to take up painting, writing, backpacking, or surfing? This is the year to do it! Don't allow yourself to make up excuses why you can't. Just do it!
Romance is going to have its ups and downs, but basically it's going to be very satisfying. You'll probably remain with the same partner throughout the year, or at least for most of it, and get closer with the passage of every month. Money should also be plentiful pretty much throughout 2003. There may be a temptation to overspend, but that's something you can easily curb if you set your mind to it.
Your career path looks smooth this year, with no more difficult intervals than you'd normally expect. There'll be at least one major change, and that for the better. Hard work will pay well.
For the most part, this should be a productive and enjoyable year for you on many levels. Make the most of the good times, and when they hit, don't let low spirits leave you discouraged. At year's end, you will be in a very positive space and looking forward to 2004.
***
I like it. Sounds good. Sounds like the way I want to spend 2003. Lots of energy? I really hope that's true or that happens... I like this Horoscope for 2003. ^_^ Get your Outlook Horoscope for the year 2003 (from Yahoo!) by clicking here.
ONE YEAR AGO
I made New Years' Resolutions for 2002 and a questioneer made from the past to evaluate the year 2002. Here are the results:
A List of Prompt Goals for 2002
- Visit Six other Provinces. You must set foot on them. (Pit stops are included.)
Although 2002 probably exposed you more to the roads and to riding in a car more than any year in the past, these six provinces you were talking about didn't happen. You did, however, enter entirely and see Batangas for the first time (September 2002).
- Complete the A2k2 Website, and have it available from graduation onwards.
After those painstaking nights in early 2002, this was achieved. And yes, it is still available up to this day. Click here.
- Continue Progress on GCP and Establish your Personal Website.
[*gputz] Charmed Philippines, the first fully installed website you've made on the web, was cancelled after you couldn't update it anymore since you wanted to focus on the A2k2 Website in early 2002 and you wanted to practice driving during the summer. Of course, without you updating GCP before College... than it was inevitable to re-establish it again online. Other than that, this blog counts as making a personal website. (Yehey.)
- End the Year with Two Documentaries.
Sadly, you did not proceed with the A2k2 Documentary you envisioned. No one really wanted to help out and the idea was an idea not put into action. However, you did help out with a documentary in college for NSTP-CWTSP which involved teaching the less fortunate children and interviewing officials of a Community Church in the Dasmariñas Resettlement Area. If you are asking about Photo Documention, you did several in 2002.
- No more failing grades in results.
Senior Year High School ended with the largest gap possible between two grades on a card. You made up for it in summer class. You did not receive any failing grade in results from College by the end of 2002. Things are improving, maintain the steady improvement.
- Speak Tagalog applying the ratio (5 english : 4 tagalog) technique.
Admittingly, your attempts to speaking tagalog in the year 2002 has been the best compared to 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. However, the ratio thing didn't work. Just keep trying.
- End your Senior Year happily with the least regret.
You did your best, and that counts. On a percentage scale, you were 70% Happy when you graduated.
- For the holiday season, make sure you have P500+ worth of gifts given to your mother and brother. Your father as well if he is around during the Christmas Season.
Honestly speaking, the gifts you gave in Christmas 2002 were the only wrapped gifts under the Christmas Tree. But you did give this year using your own savings. Not bad for a starter.
- Try to get as tall as 5' 6" to 5' 8"+. You must gain weight to a minimum of 120 pounds.
I think I've reached 5' 6" by now, but in 2002 your brother grew taller than you already (blame basketball ^_~). I laugh at the 120 pounds... nothing happened with gaining weight. Especially with living in a dormitory and the food in-take has been shuffled (dinner at 5, than the next day dinner is at 9pm, than the next day dinner is at 7pm... no consistancy).
- Work Out to the Extreme. EAT, SLEEP, and WORK OUT WELL.
These fields are lacking by the end of 2002, but they're stable and could improve. Just give more effort into these. You did visit the gym a few times in College and things are set for a healthy 2003.
- Make the smallest amount of enemies possible. Even better, have NO enemies.
You have no enemies in La Salle as of now. (Let's not jynx this.) But as a Campus Journalist, don't expect you wouldn't encounter any along the way. Just keep your cool, things are working out fine so far, and don't worry when anything bad happens. Just think and remain focused.
- Make it an "easy thing" idea to get home from whatever college you're in.
Since you dorm now, this isn't a problem. However, in the case that you need to go home suddenly from La Salle... you already know what vehicles to take to get to Tanza.
- You must learn how to drive a car/owner, scooter, and a motorcycle.
LOL. You learned how to drive the owner/service in 2002, you just need to practice with live traffic. On a scooter, what scooter? You didn't get to even touch a scooter in 2002. And a motorcycle, you couldn't find the time or energy to try it.
- Give Aid/Food/Gifts to your God Children.
You gave money. "That's all they want."
- Have over 400+ Pictures taken in 2002. (excludes 2001 Senior Year Album shots)
Achieved. (up to now, I can't believe this was really achieved)
- End the year with minimal amount of damages to your household things and equipment. (This includes minimal amount of lost items)
It was going "oh so wonderful" and "steady" until the end of 2002. At the end of 2002: Nokia 3350 (reason: unknown). Kodak Camera (reason: perhaps due to overuse, but it was repaired).
- End the year with majority of it being summerized as "The Greatest!", "Amazing Year", etc.
Achieved.
** ** **
A Questioneer from the Past (for the Future)
- What happened on January 23rd 2002?
An ordinary day in Senior Year High School. Jeff goes around with a piece of paper with sketches of the "Senior Year" Jersey for the Sportsfest. Offline journal entry title "The Jersey Designer".
- What happened on February 17th 2002?
The Offline Journal entry title of that day was "A2k2's 450 Pictures", and if I remember that day as hard as I can, I remember working full time on the [Atheneum Batch of 2002] website.
What happened on March 5th 2002?
Offline Journal entry title "Flies in Tinola, Friends in LJ". One thing that happened on this day was in Atheneum's Canteen. I reserved "Chicken Tinola" in the morning since our lunch break was when the food would always run out. But when the food ran out, the canteen suddenly came up with crispy Chicken. You tried to put away your reserved order, but the lady didn't let you. So you just ate plain Tinola while the others got crispy chicken. As you were talking at the table, you didn't realize that a fly had landed in your bowl of soup already. You brought it to the Canteen counter and asked for it to be changed. The lady said "of course we don't have anymore Tinola" and then thought that you purposely let the fly drown in the Tinola so you could get some crispy chicken.
- What happened on May 1st 2002?
Offline journal entry title "Waiting Behind Barricades". It was Labor Day in the Philippines if I can recall and they placed barricades in Epza for security precautions.
- What happened on July 9th 2002?
A few weeks into starting my new college life at DLSU-D. Offline journal entry title "Pictures in the Rain". It was a total downpour on the way from the Stalls towards JFH/Dorms that day. Three umbrellas but eight or nine people. I took out my camera, took pictures as we tried to escape from drowning right there and then in the middle of the wet street.
- What happened on September 11th 2002?
Offline journal entry title "VPAPU at the Chapel". It was on this day that I bought a U.S. Pin to remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks a year before this date. I went to the chapel a few times in prayer and in the evening, the first choice organization I applied for, VPAPU (Visual and Performing Arts Production Unit), was helping the "All for the love of thee" rehearsals at the chapel.
- What happened on October 3rd 2002?
In DLSU-D, offline journal entry title "Patay Sindi- Dorm Pictures". I took pictures in the dormitory inside La Salle and enjoyed watching "Patay Sindi", a play by the AB Com Seniors 4-1.
- What happened on November 7th 2002?
First meeting with the PE Swimming Instructor inside PLS. We were briefed about the pool and our future lessons and how our instructor would handle our class. Offline journal entry title "Spectacular Spectacular Swimming".
- What happened on December 14th 2002?
With dad have been away from the house for the 182nd day on December 14 2002 (there's a counter in my offline journal), you and mom started to argue a bit on finding the new architect to finish construction of the house. You argued in the living room about the proposed hallway, then there were conflicts with dad's divider plan, mom's suggestion, and my own originally proposed hallway. Offline journal entry title "Architectual Arguing".
- What happened on December 30th 2002?
As I worked on my third version of my online journal/blog "Brodcst Msktir", I also got to finally watch "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" and enjoyed it in the evening.
- Do you or did you have a Girlfriend in 2002?
Although I had interests, I couldn't pull through with any since the year was just too loaded with events such as GRADUATION from High School in late March and starting COLLEGE in mid-June. I was concentrating more on keeping my grades balanced and trying to live on my own 6 days a week as a dormer.
- Are you satisfied with the results of your goals and resolutions at the end of 2002?
I failed to fulfill some resolutions, but they have been in my head for the past few days so they will automatically be re-installed as Resolutions for 2003. I am greatly satisfied with the Pictures goal, although I did not reach "400 non-high school pictures in 2002"... I did however capture great moments of BroadJourn's "First Few Weeks". Pictures- that will last the whole four year journey.
- If you could time travel to any point in 2002 and change something (you must change something), what would you have changed?
I would leave it as it is. One great year already and it stands on its own. But since this question says I have to change ONE event, at the very least, it would be GRADUATION NIGHT. I crammed to make those "Graduation Letters" to give out to the rest of G7 that I nearly missed the initial march. The pictures of that night were also terrible. And that memorable GRADUATION does not have video coverage. It still disappoints me when I remember that my graduation didn't have good coverage.
- What is perhaps the most significant thing that happened to you in 2002?
- (spends 3 minutes brainstorming just to make sure)
- I will admit, it was not graduation night. High School was in a drifting stage to me at that point, and I was searching for a place that I really belong to. The answer to this question is actually very obvious: The most significant thing that happened to me in 2002 was when I started College and realized that life isn't confined to the four corners of Atheneum or the town life of Tanza... that I was now free to make my own choices... to choose between UST AB Journalism or DLSU-D AB Broadcast Journalism... to dorm or not to dorm... to join this org or that org... the experiences of renewal was the best thing that happened to me in 2002.
- Does the family have a car or new vehicle to replace the owner by the end of 2002?
Sadly no, but my dad didn't spend the past 6 months with us and he's working in the Gulf on a Fuel Ship as a Merchant Marine. However, I believe by the end of 2003, we will have a house that is more complete than ever before and a second-hand car, and perhaps, if I'm lucky by the end of 2003... I'm driving this second-hand car.
- The house on the last two days of the year 2001 was recorded on film. What are the changes to the house by the end of 2002?
Three levels of Halo-blocks were added to the Garden Wall (the one the neighbors built). Mom just recently bought custom curtains all around the house. If I ask this question to the GPUTZ of January 2004... he would hopefully write a novel since 2003 is the year of continued construction of the house (ceiling, dividers, tiles... putting shape to the house now after 2 years of static).
- Is dad settled with a nice job and mom doing well in the house, as well as Paul in his studies?
- Dad is settled with a good paying job but the job itself is in personal question. He was originally to be working in Guam. But then he had no options left there so he had to be a merchant marine. Random assignments... he could be on a ship in Hawaii all the time... or on a ship in the Gulf near the possible warzone of the US and IRAQ. My dad is on a fuel ship that is re-fuelling US Warships... something I never imagined he'd end up at. But that's where he is, let's just pray for his safety. Dad started working in December 2002, although he left the Philippines in June 2002.
- For mom, she's doing great in the house. She gets tired, but she's happy and steady in the house.
- Paul looks like he's doing good in his studies. He's getting taller everyday, his grades are high and capable of being considered an honor student, and as Sports Editor of the Angles he has participated in the DSPC in which he placed 10th in Sports Writing.
- What have you lost in 2002?
- The other camera case, during the RETREAT in Tagaytay for Atheneum Class of 2002.
- Dad's alarm clock, in the dormitory.
- Just recently, I thought my KEYS were lost... but they were found.
- If 2000 was the "Great Millennial Year", and if 2001 was "The Most Heaviest Year Spiritually", what is the year 2002 summarized and quoted as?
"One great year. Tremendous changes. Unforgettable moments. Moving onwards from the trapped atmosphere of High School and moving ahead into a greater culture. The culture of College."
- What are you wearing right now?
Black socks (from my La Salle Uniform, but I wear them with civilian now since it's comfortable and since the white socks are kind of huge and there's just so many of them). Blue #13 Jersey shorts. White "Planet Hollywood - Hong Kong" shirt.
- Where are you right now?
In my room, 12:15 AM 1/2/03.
- If you turn around, what do you see?
My closet, dim, since the only sources of light in the room at this time is my lamp (to my left) and a yellow candle that I always light up since New Years' Eve.
- If you close your eyes, what do you hear?
The air condition running and the silence of outside. Sad though, since exactly 24 hours ago (it's 12:16 AM right now)... it was very lively outside with fire works and fire crackers going off in the distance and across the fields... you know how I hate the reminiscing the fun 24-hours after it. It makes me depressed a little.