Thursday, February 27, 2003
One Wonderful Morning
I'm at ERS now with a bunch of my classmates. Yes, I'm back again in La Salle and feeling a bit more healthy compared to those intense moments exactly one week ago.
The day started off smoothly. I woke up at 6 o'clock this morning and took a shower, and headed off to class. The sun was shining and reflecting off the lagoon in front of my dorm building. It gave everything this special appearance. As I headed off to class, I heard a voice from the crowd down the distance of the road. It was Joanna and Jerson. Joanna smiled and told me that the professor didn't show up in class, and that they were headed to Square Canteen.
I joined them and a lot of my classmates were also following not so far behind. A few minutes later we would be found entering a quiet early-morning Square Canteen. We had the freedom to choose any seat we wanted, eat any new food that was available, and to just relax.
DEBUTS
We occupied two small pavillions. One had Tina and company, while the one I was at had Jezire and Kate. Eric (sporting a Bandana today) and Jerson were also with us. We ate, I had a hot dog since I didn't want a heavy meal to down this fantastic morning. Early morning chit-chat happened. Not gossip, but just the jokes and the favorite songs lately. Ate Angge has just officially announced that she will be celebrating a debut, in Las Piñas! Come November! I think she's the first classmate of mine (that i've heard) to officially celebrate their debut. I'm already excited. I've never been to a debut yet. Advanced Happy Birthday Ate Angge!
I'm thinking though, it might not be the first debut I'll be attending. It's still in November. There's a lot of birthdays still along the way including Shiela's which is in a few weeks. But hearing such news was cool.
Eric and I went to the Admin to log into the HF. The office was still closed, so we just left a note that we logged in. We saw classmates Keith and Kay in front of the door to the CSO. They wanted to conduct the [Career Pathing] interview.
We returned to Square Canteen and eventually we started walking for ERS.
AFTERWARDS
After this 9 o'clock batch, we will go downstairs into the [Cabesa (Media) Viewing Room] and take a make-up class in Re-Ed2. Sounds boring? Well, we will be watching a movie. So it shouldn't be that bad. It's a movie we'll be making another essay on. After that ends at 1130am, we will proceed to Sociology. No more Ms. Lacanlale (...aaawww) but hopefully we'll find a new liking with the return of our professor, Ms. Virginia Aguilar, who has returned from her Maternity Leave.
Of course, two hours after Sociology is the FINALS (part 1) for Swimming. I missed last week's meeting due to a fever, so in addition to crossing the length of the pool one-time in the first part of the exams, I have to go treading for 45-seconds in the deep part of the pool. Right now, I have no experience in treading... but I'm still determined that I could stay afloat for 45-seconds in the deep end of the pool. And since crossing the length of the pool is free-style, I believe I can do it. I mean, why would I suddenly feel like stopping in the deep-center of our pool... and why would I stop if i was nearing the end of a long-journey (reaching the other end) of the pool. Determination, confidence and belief in myself should help me cross the pool.
The thing i'm worried about in Swimming is me. I've just recovered from my fever. What if jumping into a swimming pool reverses my healing and makes me sick again. I don't want that! So, i should take it easy and step-by-step. I should also lessen on stress and concentrate.
I'm at ERS now with a bunch of my classmates. Yes, I'm back again in La Salle and feeling a bit more healthy compared to those intense moments exactly one week ago.
The day started off smoothly. I woke up at 6 o'clock this morning and took a shower, and headed off to class. The sun was shining and reflecting off the lagoon in front of my dorm building. It gave everything this special appearance. As I headed off to class, I heard a voice from the crowd down the distance of the road. It was Joanna and Jerson. Joanna smiled and told me that the professor didn't show up in class, and that they were headed to Square Canteen.
I joined them and a lot of my classmates were also following not so far behind. A few minutes later we would be found entering a quiet early-morning Square Canteen. We had the freedom to choose any seat we wanted, eat any new food that was available, and to just relax.
DEBUTS
We occupied two small pavillions. One had Tina and company, while the one I was at had Jezire and Kate. Eric (sporting a Bandana today) and Jerson were also with us. We ate, I had a hot dog since I didn't want a heavy meal to down this fantastic morning. Early morning chit-chat happened. Not gossip, but just the jokes and the favorite songs lately. Ate Angge has just officially announced that she will be celebrating a debut, in Las Piñas! Come November! I think she's the first classmate of mine (that i've heard) to officially celebrate their debut. I'm already excited. I've never been to a debut yet. Advanced Happy Birthday Ate Angge!
I'm thinking though, it might not be the first debut I'll be attending. It's still in November. There's a lot of birthdays still along the way including Shiela's which is in a few weeks. But hearing such news was cool.
Eric and I went to the Admin to log into the HF. The office was still closed, so we just left a note that we logged in. We saw classmates Keith and Kay in front of the door to the CSO. They wanted to conduct the [Career Pathing] interview.
We returned to Square Canteen and eventually we started walking for ERS.
AFTERWARDS
After this 9 o'clock batch, we will go downstairs into the [Cabesa (Media) Viewing Room] and take a make-up class in Re-Ed2. Sounds boring? Well, we will be watching a movie. So it shouldn't be that bad. It's a movie we'll be making another essay on. After that ends at 1130am, we will proceed to Sociology. No more Ms. Lacanlale (...aaawww) but hopefully we'll find a new liking with the return of our professor, Ms. Virginia Aguilar, who has returned from her Maternity Leave.
Of course, two hours after Sociology is the FINALS (part 1) for Swimming. I missed last week's meeting due to a fever, so in addition to crossing the length of the pool one-time in the first part of the exams, I have to go treading for 45-seconds in the deep part of the pool. Right now, I have no experience in treading... but I'm still determined that I could stay afloat for 45-seconds in the deep end of the pool. And since crossing the length of the pool is free-style, I believe I can do it. I mean, why would I suddenly feel like stopping in the deep-center of our pool... and why would I stop if i was nearing the end of a long-journey (reaching the other end) of the pool. Determination, confidence and belief in myself should help me cross the pool.
The thing i'm worried about in Swimming is me. I've just recovered from my fever. What if jumping into a swimming pool reverses my healing and makes me sick again. I don't want that! So, i should take it easy and step-by-step. I should also lessen on stress and concentrate.
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
BRING ME BACK TO LIFE
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #33
"I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired!"
Roaaaaarrrrr! After 4 Days, 4 Nights of rest at home, I've had enough of being sick! Not that I can simply vanquish my sickness like that, but it's just after all the resting and all the medication, I'm ready to jump out of bed and leap back into the battlefield. Here's a recap of my long-weekend of rest.
1ST NIGHT - (Friday Night)
Condition: Cold, stable, recovering Fever
I surrendered to my sickness and didn't stay for my Saturday class. I called up my house using Lance's cellphone (i ran out of load) and got picked up in the early evening. Before calling, dormers would find me confined to my dorm room bed looking miserable and wearing the same clothes as the day before. I dropped my Laundry off at the [Laundry Stop] and when I arrived home, I changed a little and collapsed onto my bed tired.
1ST DAY - (Saturday)
Condition: Inactive fever, slight headache
Happy Birthday Mom!!! I don't know what got into me, but on Saturday you would find me surfing the net and watching television. I also wanted to continue reminiscing the music of Freshmen Year, that I even watched "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" just to catch the songs used in our Mass Demo last Lasallian Days 2003.
2ND NIGHT - (Saturday Night)
Condition: Inactive fever, slight headache
Evening came and I watched Survivor. I knew there were guests outside and my Uncle and his drinking buddies were outside as well. That was the atmosphere. But suddenly, my fever felt like it was returning and I was getting this intense headache that I've never had before.
2ND DAY - (Sunday)
Condition: Recovering from a fever, on-off headache, stomach upset
Medications: Tempra/Paracetamol, Diatabs, and a whole lotta' water
It would be the only actual day I dedicated fully to sleep and drinking of water. My appetite had worsened by Saturday night. Since the middle of the previous school week up until Sunday morning, I have never finished a single meal! I would only eat parts of it, eat half of it, but never finish it.
My headache was at it's worse, my fever would return occasionally, and I had symptoms of LBM. It was starting to make me tick, but I calmed down and thanked God still for the many times I was healthy during Freshmen Year College.
3RD NIGHT - (Sunday Night)
Condition: Recovering from a fever, on-off headache, stomach upset
Medications: Tempra/Paracetamol, Diatabs, and a whole lotta' water
I would be found sleeping most of the time. I barely left my bed. The only time I left my bed was when I had to use the restroom. Now that there's nothing much to say about Sunday night, I can describe my environment. There's this really comfy bright yellow mink blanket that's on my bed. It isn't hot to lie down on like what many might think, it's just warm. All the curtains in the room are yellow now, so together with the bright yellow mink blanket, it sometimes makes me feel my room is some kind of room to a palace in some distant desert land. You'd also find Water, half-eaten food still on the plate, some sunkists laying around. If the TV isn't on, it's for sure MAGIC 89.9 would be playing in the background.
3RD DAY - (Monday)
Condition: Recovering fever, slight headache, LBM
Treatment: Water and lots of fluids
As classmates started their week off, I would be found in bed sleeping. When I wake up, the alignment of my room's window makes my room look so nice and warm in the morning. I mean, the morning light enters my room. Sadly, when the sun sets, you can't see or feel it in my room. (The sun sets around 2 o'clock in the afternoon from my room, joke).
The Grammies! I was going to listen to it live on the radio with MAGIC 89.9 but then I remembered "Why listen, when you can watch?". I turned on the television and searched a few channels, and Magic 89.9's LIVE on the radio + Star World's LIVE on Television produced an interesting echo.
On the radio, it really sounded and felt LIVE. You could hear the audience more. But on television, you were watching the ordinary kind of LIVE. I decided to watch the one on television. Well actually, I wanted to use the radio as the sound and the television as the visual, but it would just produce echo's and audio-video mis-match.
Norah Jones stole the show. She looks charming and all, but after she won more than two already it was starting to get annoying. I like her music and all, but I feel sorry for the other artists in those other categories who deserved some spotlight too. How many times did we see Avril just looking at the stage, all serious, looking bad-trip even.
I spent Monday half-resting, and half-active by surfing just a little. Some people came by the assess the estimate of the next project to be done in our house- painting the ceilings and the cabinets.
4TH NIGHT - (Monday Night)
Condition: Healing from Fever, Headache, and LBM
Buffy and Charmed were reruns. I was surfing and also resting. I was actually ready to return to La Salle, but it's just the LBM factor. I don't want to return to the dormitories until I know I'm okay and strong enough already. I could return to La Salle and fix my headache there, but with the bathroom trip, no thank you.
4TH DAY - (Tuesday)
Condition: Still healing from all sicknesses of the past weekend
Aldrich and Mik are coming over, perhaps I could get a boost in energy with their presence and reminding myself I have duties to return to, friends to return to. I miss my classmates now.
***
I have the following articles to work on and complete before I return to La Salle tonight. (1) La Salleño 1993 in Review (2) La Salleño 1996 in Review (3) La Salleño - A Decade of Pop Culture (4) Un Chien Awarding.
Hopefully I can jumpstart my work for the HF, which has been gravely in the negative the past week and a half. I will submit all La Salleño articles first thing Wednesday morning before Statistics. I will set appointments for interviews at the College of Law Enforcement and Public Safety (CLEAPS) for the Collegiate News. I will work on the Media Awareness Days article with Kay Mori. I will set appointments with CLA-parties for the USC Elections 2003. And as a bonus to add more of my work towards the last Broadsheet of the Schoolyear, I will do an article about the experimental Men's dormitory and I will interview that "bitch" (matron).
In Academics, I have to make up for lost time as well. And in Foreign Filipino, I must conduct those surveys.
I'm returning to La Salle for a four-day week. Two days and two nights have been slashed off, hopefully I can return to doing all the work in the smallest time.
In God I find my strength. Here I go.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #33
"I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired!"
Roaaaaarrrrr! After 4 Days, 4 Nights of rest at home, I've had enough of being sick! Not that I can simply vanquish my sickness like that, but it's just after all the resting and all the medication, I'm ready to jump out of bed and leap back into the battlefield. Here's a recap of my long-weekend of rest.
1ST NIGHT - (Friday Night)
Condition: Cold, stable, recovering Fever
I surrendered to my sickness and didn't stay for my Saturday class. I called up my house using Lance's cellphone (i ran out of load) and got picked up in the early evening. Before calling, dormers would find me confined to my dorm room bed looking miserable and wearing the same clothes as the day before. I dropped my Laundry off at the [Laundry Stop] and when I arrived home, I changed a little and collapsed onto my bed tired.
1ST DAY - (Saturday)
Condition: Inactive fever, slight headache
Happy Birthday Mom!!! I don't know what got into me, but on Saturday you would find me surfing the net and watching television. I also wanted to continue reminiscing the music of Freshmen Year, that I even watched "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" just to catch the songs used in our Mass Demo last Lasallian Days 2003.
2ND NIGHT - (Saturday Night)
Condition: Inactive fever, slight headache
Evening came and I watched Survivor. I knew there were guests outside and my Uncle and his drinking buddies were outside as well. That was the atmosphere. But suddenly, my fever felt like it was returning and I was getting this intense headache that I've never had before.
2ND DAY - (Sunday)
Condition: Recovering from a fever, on-off headache, stomach upset
Medications: Tempra/Paracetamol, Diatabs, and a whole lotta' water
It would be the only actual day I dedicated fully to sleep and drinking of water. My appetite had worsened by Saturday night. Since the middle of the previous school week up until Sunday morning, I have never finished a single meal! I would only eat parts of it, eat half of it, but never finish it.
My headache was at it's worse, my fever would return occasionally, and I had symptoms of LBM. It was starting to make me tick, but I calmed down and thanked God still for the many times I was healthy during Freshmen Year College.
3RD NIGHT - (Sunday Night)
Condition: Recovering from a fever, on-off headache, stomach upset
Medications: Tempra/Paracetamol, Diatabs, and a whole lotta' water
I would be found sleeping most of the time. I barely left my bed. The only time I left my bed was when I had to use the restroom. Now that there's nothing much to say about Sunday night, I can describe my environment. There's this really comfy bright yellow mink blanket that's on my bed. It isn't hot to lie down on like what many might think, it's just warm. All the curtains in the room are yellow now, so together with the bright yellow mink blanket, it sometimes makes me feel my room is some kind of room to a palace in some distant desert land. You'd also find Water, half-eaten food still on the plate, some sunkists laying around. If the TV isn't on, it's for sure MAGIC 89.9 would be playing in the background.
3RD DAY - (Monday)
Condition: Recovering fever, slight headache, LBM
Treatment: Water and lots of fluids
As classmates started their week off, I would be found in bed sleeping. When I wake up, the alignment of my room's window makes my room look so nice and warm in the morning. I mean, the morning light enters my room. Sadly, when the sun sets, you can't see or feel it in my room. (The sun sets around 2 o'clock in the afternoon from my room, joke).
The Grammies! I was going to listen to it live on the radio with MAGIC 89.9 but then I remembered "Why listen, when you can watch?". I turned on the television and searched a few channels, and Magic 89.9's LIVE on the radio + Star World's LIVE on Television produced an interesting echo.
On the radio, it really sounded and felt LIVE. You could hear the audience more. But on television, you were watching the ordinary kind of LIVE. I decided to watch the one on television. Well actually, I wanted to use the radio as the sound and the television as the visual, but it would just produce echo's and audio-video mis-match.
Norah Jones stole the show. She looks charming and all, but after she won more than two already it was starting to get annoying. I like her music and all, but I feel sorry for the other artists in those other categories who deserved some spotlight too. How many times did we see Avril just looking at the stage, all serious, looking bad-trip even.
I spent Monday half-resting, and half-active by surfing just a little. Some people came by the assess the estimate of the next project to be done in our house- painting the ceilings and the cabinets.
4TH NIGHT - (Monday Night)
Condition: Healing from Fever, Headache, and LBM
Buffy and Charmed were reruns. I was surfing and also resting. I was actually ready to return to La Salle, but it's just the LBM factor. I don't want to return to the dormitories until I know I'm okay and strong enough already. I could return to La Salle and fix my headache there, but with the bathroom trip, no thank you.
4TH DAY - (Tuesday)
Condition: Still healing from all sicknesses of the past weekend
Aldrich and Mik are coming over, perhaps I could get a boost in energy with their presence and reminding myself I have duties to return to, friends to return to. I miss my classmates now.
***
I have the following articles to work on and complete before I return to La Salle tonight. (1) La Salleño 1993 in Review (2) La Salleño 1996 in Review (3) La Salleño - A Decade of Pop Culture (4) Un Chien Awarding.
Hopefully I can jumpstart my work for the HF, which has been gravely in the negative the past week and a half. I will submit all La Salleño articles first thing Wednesday morning before Statistics. I will set appointments for interviews at the College of Law Enforcement and Public Safety (CLEAPS) for the Collegiate News. I will work on the Media Awareness Days article with Kay Mori. I will set appointments with CLA-parties for the USC Elections 2003. And as a bonus to add more of my work towards the last Broadsheet of the Schoolyear, I will do an article about the experimental Men's dormitory and I will interview that "bitch" (matron).
In Academics, I have to make up for lost time as well. And in Foreign Filipino, I must conduct those surveys.
I'm returning to La Salle for a four-day week. Two days and two nights have been slashed off, hopefully I can return to doing all the work in the smallest time.
In God I find my strength. Here I go.
Friday, February 21, 2003
I GOT A DISEASE
The Damage Report - End of Week #32
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"6 1/2 articles due, a fever, and a killer headache..."
IT hasn't exactly been a good week either. It started off roughly, it was mushy in the middle, and it ended with a fever, a headache, and the weight of 6 1/2 articles by the end. I found myself singing that old 60s boyband hit "I wanna go home..." as I retreated back home a whole day earlier.
So, what exactly went wrong? Well, many little things that could simply ignite a chain of frustrating outbursts. How many times did I call the main matron of the dormitories a bitch? How on earth did I start trash talking and a revolution for a third of the on-campus guys to move out with me into an ideal clubhouse-style dormitory off-campus? How did I end up with a stack of articles when I could have completed them all on or before Friday?
These are the questions left unanswered. I've never felt more "in the negative" in front of Boss Kuya Marthy (Features' Editor) and Boss Ate July (News/Sports Editor) of the Heraldo Filipino. I refused to show my face in the office, and when I did, I got guilt rubbed onto my face by the Features' Editor and a bit of guilt from the News Editor after I backed out on my requested participation to be the apprentice writer to the games in Laguna.
You could read about Monday's frustrations here. The very thought of it still makes my blood boil in anger. Perhaps that's the reason of my fever. For my anger towards that beeyatch.
On Tuesday, NSTP-CWTSP brought us to Bgy. Bautista the 2nd to the last time. Actually, it was supposed to be the last time. But we still had a party to throw for the kids, a sort-of "Farewell Party". I can't believe we've already reached the end of NSTP. I'm going to miss my assigned family... I learned new things... I learned how to open up more and to engage in speaking Tagalog/Pilipino because of them. And their lifestyle... a perspective so different from ours. A unique glimpse. I will treasure the time I've volunteered for NSTP.
Wednesday came and I woke up late. Well, I woke exactly at 8:30am for my ElemStat class. I got out of the shower at 8:45am. And I finished suiting up and fixing my hair by 9:00am. I was heading out the door when I realized I was going to be making myself look stupid again in front of Ms. Atibagos. ElemStat (Wed and Fri) and English1 (Tue and Thu) are the first subject of the said days. And it's in these subjects I'm making it late to class these days.
I was having a nightmare picturing Ms. Atibagos giving me that "you're late again" look. She's a nice teacher, very serious about her subject, but still not over-board angry or anything like that. It's just the courtesy thing. I didn't want to enter the class with her looking at me as I walked towards my empty seat. I didn't want to enter the class and have her stop one second of her lecture.
So I didn't go to class. But I did have the objective that I would get all lectures and notes from someone and to not be late for her class from now on.
Since I was crunching time in working for the HF with more articles to do, I couldn't review for the quiz in Reed. Instead, I got Joel to sit-in again. I thought the class would go "Joel, again?" but when he entered the classroom they reacted with "Joel!!". Well Joel, comes to show how hospitable we are with guests and friends of our classmates.
After Reed, I rushed to the dormitory to change. I had a plan to go shopping since I've had a few extra bucks the past few weeks. I was ready to meet with the FilAmz Male Fashion Icon, Aldrich, who would suggest some things to wear. He convinced me that I need a total new look. I'm that kind of person, but since I had the extra cash, why not wear something different for once? It would be cool. It would feel cool. And anything that adds confidence to how I carry myself will do.
We set it at 4pm. He told me he'll accompany his best friend Mik up until 5pm. So I gladly waited, and in fact relaxed at the dorm. I had articles to do, assignments and lectures to review, but I reserved Wednesday night for shopping and for some fun.
5:30pm came and I had to give him a call on the cellphone. He eventually came around 6:00pm. I got Joel to come along. So now it was Joel, Aldrich, and myself. We arrived at Robinson's Imus around 7:00pm. We decided together as a small group to eat first. Since I knew Aldrich and his classmate Raymond ate at Max's Restaurant the day before, I decided why not try it.
My dad doesn't like the service of Max's Restaurant (SM Bacoor Branch). Coincidently, Lance's dad also hates the services. I personally don't like the food and I prefer the tasty Kenny Rogers. But I wanted to give Max's another shot.
So the three of us went in and ordered our food. There was this table connected to ours but on the other side of the wall. A middle aged woman and man with perhaps their teenaged daughter was there. Aldrich and I didn't speak out loud in English, but we were speaking in English that if an eavesdropping table were interested, they could make out some of our words.
The middle aged man started to speak his own english. I didn't notice it much at first and thought "maybe these guys are from the states too or something.". But in situations like these, I don't give much attention to it. But suddenly, somewhere between sips of bottomless Iced Teas, I had the feeling that the teenage girl and the mother were looking over the barrier and looking at me. I hate that insecure feeling like they're analyzing my voice or something. Hahaha.
I ignored them, I didn't want to look over (though i knew i should've) since I was enjoying my own conversation with two close friends of mine. Aldrich and Joel were seated across from me. I was the only one on my side of the table.
But then, Aldrich snuck in one of his sarcasms. "Trying Hard." he murmured to me. I ignited into silent laughter as I tried to ignore even what Aldrich said. I started to act weird. I drank my Iced Tea. Ate a few pieces of chicken. Than I started to laugh again. It was stupid. But I told Aldrich at that same time with half-vocal and half-eye signal that "Yep... they're trying hard!"
I didn't want to say anything. I mean, perhaps the people on the other side of the barrier were also like us. But I guess Aldrich analyzed it more. I wouldn't have said anything. I mean, I know the frustration and the feeling when another english speaking pinoy passes by. Usually, the bigger group survives. What I mean is, if there are five english speaking pinoys seated at a table next to a different set of english speaking pinoys (let's say, only two of them)... the bigger group gets to speak out loud while the smaller group will just have to speak quietly amongst themselves. It's a complicated cycle... or a thing. It's probably even nothing. Why am I still typing this? (LOL)
Anyways, we ended and we all spent a total of P700 pesos. We could have eaten at Burger King, for just P200 and we'd all be full and the shops like Pennshoppe, Guess, etc. would be right next door. We left Max's around 8pm, and since we knew that the mall closes so friggin' early... we made a mad dash for the 2nd floor. On the 2nd floor, we headed straight into Pennshoppe and then into Bench. Since we ran out of time, we couldn't really buy anything. So basically, all the hype just for the friggin' chicken at Max's that I didn't completely enjoy.
***
The mall closed and we found ourselves outside. We took the overpass and then Aldrich and Joel bought these necklace and bracelet thingys. No, not the colorful beads for girls. I'm talking about those spike thingys. Aldrich put on two bracelets on each arm, and one spike necklace. Joel says: "How kinky!"
We returned home exactly before curfew. I was quiet because I just felt like all that excitement slammed the door on my face. I felt stupid in a way. I freed up my busy schedule just to eat chicken that made me feel so heavy the rest of the night.
Thursday morning came and that's where my sickness would cut my week short. I was already pressured by the Heraldo Filipino, to the extreme now. The AB Com Channel recruitment is going on, and I'm dying to encourage my classmates to join but I couldn't be there when they tried.
I made it to English 1, and then I could barely carry myself into Sociology. My neck was burning and I was feeling so sick. But I had to go to Sociology since it was the last session that Ms. Lacanlale would be with us. Our real Sociology professor would be returning. It's so sad, I admit that Ms. Lacanlale is the first Professor and Teacher that I've admired in a very very very long time. She's so good in teaching, and she looks good too. And what a way to end with the class. She took out a plastic Penis and showed the class how to properly put on a condom. Then she showed us the female condom, which "terrified" some of my girl classmates. The painful IUD, spermicide... all of the above. It's part of "Family Planning", her last lecture for us. My head was down on my desk the last half of class, but I looked up at her as she discussed. She could beat Sir Ronnie (of High School) anytime of the day when it comes to Sex Education. (in fairness, she is awesome in Sociology. Sociology is something I'm really interested in learning more about now.)
The class begged for her to stay, and as she left the classroom... we were screaming just for her to stay. Sounds like a High School class? Well, it may sound like one... but at least we made Ms. Lacanlale feel very important to us. And these screams make us the champions. Hmph. ^-^
After Sociology, I would never see my classmates until the next week. Rona, Joy, and Krystelle accompanied me to get 4 Mineral Bottles and I got a Tempra Tablet from Ate Angge and down the road, from HF Photograher Ate Winnie (Edwina Clorina). Thanks guys! I complained in frustration that the only clinic in the East Campus (nearest to my classrooms) is closed. Meaning, anyone that was feeling sick and ill would have to go all the way to the West Campus in the Admin Building. That's insane. No one would survive the walk! "I-he-heraldo ko yan!" I protested in front of Rona, half-joking, half-serious. (I think it was already mentioned in the previous Kampusap-usapan in Broadsheet #4).
They dropped me to the dorm and I from there I rested. I would be confined to my dorm under heat, under pain, under a headache, and under one hell of a nightmare up until Friday afternoon.
I would like to thank those who took care of me in the dorms:
- THANKS Karl and Lance for buying me Baked Mac and a Sunkist on Thursday afternoon.
- THANKS Aldrich for buying me dinner on Thursday night from Chowking.
- THANKS Kurt for buying me a sandwich and a small iced tea on Friday morning.
- THANKS to all concerned dorm mates of my health condition.
- THANKS for the txt classmates, who told me to drink plenty of water, get sleep, and stuff.
- THANKS Lance for letting me txt when I ran out of load.
- THANKS Kay Mori of HF for going the extra mile in understanding my condition and for letting me keep the LS Archives to finish my articles over the weekend.
The Damage Report - End of Week #32
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"6 1/2 articles due, a fever, and a killer headache..."
IT hasn't exactly been a good week either. It started off roughly, it was mushy in the middle, and it ended with a fever, a headache, and the weight of 6 1/2 articles by the end. I found myself singing that old 60s boyband hit "I wanna go home..." as I retreated back home a whole day earlier.
So, what exactly went wrong? Well, many little things that could simply ignite a chain of frustrating outbursts. How many times did I call the main matron of the dormitories a bitch? How on earth did I start trash talking and a revolution for a third of the on-campus guys to move out with me into an ideal clubhouse-style dormitory off-campus? How did I end up with a stack of articles when I could have completed them all on or before Friday?
These are the questions left unanswered. I've never felt more "in the negative" in front of Boss Kuya Marthy (Features' Editor) and Boss Ate July (News/Sports Editor) of the Heraldo Filipino. I refused to show my face in the office, and when I did, I got guilt rubbed onto my face by the Features' Editor and a bit of guilt from the News Editor after I backed out on my requested participation to be the apprentice writer to the games in Laguna.
You could read about Monday's frustrations here. The very thought of it still makes my blood boil in anger. Perhaps that's the reason of my fever. For my anger towards that beeyatch.
On Tuesday, NSTP-CWTSP brought us to Bgy. Bautista the 2nd to the last time. Actually, it was supposed to be the last time. But we still had a party to throw for the kids, a sort-of "Farewell Party". I can't believe we've already reached the end of NSTP. I'm going to miss my assigned family... I learned new things... I learned how to open up more and to engage in speaking Tagalog/Pilipino because of them. And their lifestyle... a perspective so different from ours. A unique glimpse. I will treasure the time I've volunteered for NSTP.
Wednesday came and I woke up late. Well, I woke exactly at 8:30am for my ElemStat class. I got out of the shower at 8:45am. And I finished suiting up and fixing my hair by 9:00am. I was heading out the door when I realized I was going to be making myself look stupid again in front of Ms. Atibagos. ElemStat (Wed and Fri) and English1 (Tue and Thu) are the first subject of the said days. And it's in these subjects I'm making it late to class these days.
I was having a nightmare picturing Ms. Atibagos giving me that "you're late again" look. She's a nice teacher, very serious about her subject, but still not over-board angry or anything like that. It's just the courtesy thing. I didn't want to enter the class with her looking at me as I walked towards my empty seat. I didn't want to enter the class and have her stop one second of her lecture.
So I didn't go to class. But I did have the objective that I would get all lectures and notes from someone and to not be late for her class from now on.
Since I was crunching time in working for the HF with more articles to do, I couldn't review for the quiz in Reed. Instead, I got Joel to sit-in again. I thought the class would go "Joel, again?" but when he entered the classroom they reacted with "Joel!!". Well Joel, comes to show how hospitable we are with guests and friends of our classmates.
After Reed, I rushed to the dormitory to change. I had a plan to go shopping since I've had a few extra bucks the past few weeks. I was ready to meet with the FilAmz Male Fashion Icon, Aldrich, who would suggest some things to wear. He convinced me that I need a total new look. I'm that kind of person, but since I had the extra cash, why not wear something different for once? It would be cool. It would feel cool. And anything that adds confidence to how I carry myself will do.
We set it at 4pm. He told me he'll accompany his best friend Mik up until 5pm. So I gladly waited, and in fact relaxed at the dorm. I had articles to do, assignments and lectures to review, but I reserved Wednesday night for shopping and for some fun.
5:30pm came and I had to give him a call on the cellphone. He eventually came around 6:00pm. I got Joel to come along. So now it was Joel, Aldrich, and myself. We arrived at Robinson's Imus around 7:00pm. We decided together as a small group to eat first. Since I knew Aldrich and his classmate Raymond ate at Max's Restaurant the day before, I decided why not try it.
My dad doesn't like the service of Max's Restaurant (SM Bacoor Branch). Coincidently, Lance's dad also hates the services. I personally don't like the food and I prefer the tasty Kenny Rogers. But I wanted to give Max's another shot.
So the three of us went in and ordered our food. There was this table connected to ours but on the other side of the wall. A middle aged woman and man with perhaps their teenaged daughter was there. Aldrich and I didn't speak out loud in English, but we were speaking in English that if an eavesdropping table were interested, they could make out some of our words.
The middle aged man started to speak his own english. I didn't notice it much at first and thought "maybe these guys are from the states too or something.". But in situations like these, I don't give much attention to it. But suddenly, somewhere between sips of bottomless Iced Teas, I had the feeling that the teenage girl and the mother were looking over the barrier and looking at me. I hate that insecure feeling like they're analyzing my voice or something. Hahaha.
I ignored them, I didn't want to look over (though i knew i should've) since I was enjoying my own conversation with two close friends of mine. Aldrich and Joel were seated across from me. I was the only one on my side of the table.
But then, Aldrich snuck in one of his sarcasms. "Trying Hard." he murmured to me. I ignited into silent laughter as I tried to ignore even what Aldrich said. I started to act weird. I drank my Iced Tea. Ate a few pieces of chicken. Than I started to laugh again. It was stupid. But I told Aldrich at that same time with half-vocal and half-eye signal that "Yep... they're trying hard!"
I didn't want to say anything. I mean, perhaps the people on the other side of the barrier were also like us. But I guess Aldrich analyzed it more. I wouldn't have said anything. I mean, I know the frustration and the feeling when another english speaking pinoy passes by. Usually, the bigger group survives. What I mean is, if there are five english speaking pinoys seated at a table next to a different set of english speaking pinoys (let's say, only two of them)... the bigger group gets to speak out loud while the smaller group will just have to speak quietly amongst themselves. It's a complicated cycle... or a thing. It's probably even nothing. Why am I still typing this? (LOL)
Anyways, we ended and we all spent a total of P700 pesos. We could have eaten at Burger King, for just P200 and we'd all be full and the shops like Pennshoppe, Guess, etc. would be right next door. We left Max's around 8pm, and since we knew that the mall closes so friggin' early... we made a mad dash for the 2nd floor. On the 2nd floor, we headed straight into Pennshoppe and then into Bench. Since we ran out of time, we couldn't really buy anything. So basically, all the hype just for the friggin' chicken at Max's that I didn't completely enjoy.
***
The mall closed and we found ourselves outside. We took the overpass and then Aldrich and Joel bought these necklace and bracelet thingys. No, not the colorful beads for girls. I'm talking about those spike thingys. Aldrich put on two bracelets on each arm, and one spike necklace. Joel says: "How kinky!"
We returned home exactly before curfew. I was quiet because I just felt like all that excitement slammed the door on my face. I felt stupid in a way. I freed up my busy schedule just to eat chicken that made me feel so heavy the rest of the night.
Thursday morning came and that's where my sickness would cut my week short. I was already pressured by the Heraldo Filipino, to the extreme now. The AB Com Channel recruitment is going on, and I'm dying to encourage my classmates to join but I couldn't be there when they tried.
I made it to English 1, and then I could barely carry myself into Sociology. My neck was burning and I was feeling so sick. But I had to go to Sociology since it was the last session that Ms. Lacanlale would be with us. Our real Sociology professor would be returning. It's so sad, I admit that Ms. Lacanlale is the first Professor and Teacher that I've admired in a very very very long time. She's so good in teaching, and she looks good too. And what a way to end with the class. She took out a plastic Penis and showed the class how to properly put on a condom. Then she showed us the female condom, which "terrified" some of my girl classmates. The painful IUD, spermicide... all of the above. It's part of "Family Planning", her last lecture for us. My head was down on my desk the last half of class, but I looked up at her as she discussed. She could beat Sir Ronnie (of High School) anytime of the day when it comes to Sex Education. (in fairness, she is awesome in Sociology. Sociology is something I'm really interested in learning more about now.)
The class begged for her to stay, and as she left the classroom... we were screaming just for her to stay. Sounds like a High School class? Well, it may sound like one... but at least we made Ms. Lacanlale feel very important to us. And these screams make us the champions. Hmph. ^-^
After Sociology, I would never see my classmates until the next week. Rona, Joy, and Krystelle accompanied me to get 4 Mineral Bottles and I got a Tempra Tablet from Ate Angge and down the road, from HF Photograher Ate Winnie (Edwina Clorina). Thanks guys! I complained in frustration that the only clinic in the East Campus (nearest to my classrooms) is closed. Meaning, anyone that was feeling sick and ill would have to go all the way to the West Campus in the Admin Building. That's insane. No one would survive the walk! "I-he-heraldo ko yan!" I protested in front of Rona, half-joking, half-serious. (I think it was already mentioned in the previous Kampusap-usapan in Broadsheet #4).
They dropped me to the dorm and I from there I rested. I would be confined to my dorm under heat, under pain, under a headache, and under one hell of a nightmare up until Friday afternoon.
I would like to thank those who took care of me in the dorms:
- THANKS Karl and Lance for buying me Baked Mac and a Sunkist on Thursday afternoon.
- THANKS Aldrich for buying me dinner on Thursday night from Chowking.
- THANKS Kurt for buying me a sandwich and a small iced tea on Friday morning.
- THANKS to all concerned dorm mates of my health condition.
- THANKS for the txt classmates, who told me to drink plenty of water, get sleep, and stuff.
- THANKS Lance for letting me txt when I ran out of load.
- THANKS Kay Mori of HF for going the extra mile in understanding my condition and for letting me keep the LS Archives to finish my articles over the weekend.
Monday, February 17, 2003
BROADJOURN DORMERS NIGHT OUT - 02/17/03
Well, tonight resumes the 2-week cancelled "Broadjourn Dormers Night Out". Hopefully we have delicious food and a great time. I'm still pressured though by my requirement to make articles for the HF's Lasalleño. I'm worried my editor will appear behind me all of a sudden and demand his articles to be submitted.
I'm not even in the HF-mood recently...
Anyways, Andok's chicken and a picnic at a kubo await. I'm excited and I'm hungry. ^_^
Well, tonight resumes the 2-week cancelled "Broadjourn Dormers Night Out". Hopefully we have delicious food and a great time. I'm still pressured though by my requirement to make articles for the HF's Lasalleño. I'm worried my editor will appear behind me all of a sudden and demand his articles to be submitted.
I'm not even in the HF-mood recently...
Anyways, Andok's chicken and a picnic at a kubo await. I'm excited and I'm hungry. ^_^
Killing Me Slowly
(to whom this may concern -- absolute silence is your reaction)
I know you probably don't realize it. I know you're a very happy person. I know you love your friends. And that's what kills me. We're so similar. We love our friends. We treasure them. We both have been looking for the right person to be our best friend. That's what kills me again. You've found one, and I'm left to keep searching. The right person to accept the knowledge of our unique lives. The right person to have that backstage pass to our day-to-day business. The right person we could pour our trust in. Knowing that this person, will go the extra mile in being friends.
I met you this past semester. We share so many things in common. One time, in this great search, I gave up. I said to myself "I wish I could just duplicate myself." Now, there's you. The same funny sarcasm. The same desire to have friends. Even a similar background and past.
It kills me so slowly. Knowing you and seeing you in front of me everyday. I'm concerned and want to know if you're okay. I don't want any good friend of mine experiencing problems. At one point I was about to break up just like the Columbia Spaceshuttle into Earth's Orbit. I couldn't stand it anymore that I'm left searching for someone else, when all hope for another person to fill in these shoes is like searching for a needle in three acres of rice fields. It took me ages to find someone I think I could just hang out with. I found this person, but then again, this person is already dedicated to someone else.
I'm not jealous and I'm not envious. Those would describe those darker days back in High School. Right now, I'm just happy that you found what you've been looking for. A best friend. And a girl. You're situated in a good place. I just wish you'd understand my problem and encourage me to wait for my turn. Carpe Diem.
To the person who you've found. The friend, not the girl. "You are lucky. Take care of each other. Work together like the buddy system back during the Vietnam War. Watch each other's backs. Don't let anyone drown. Stay cool."
In the end, this isn't love. This is friendship and my obesession with it.
For those concerned, thank you. All I ask is your understanding and some luck on this little journey of mine. Nothing more.
(to whom this may concern -- absolute silence is your reaction)
I know you probably don't realize it. I know you're a very happy person. I know you love your friends. And that's what kills me. We're so similar. We love our friends. We treasure them. We both have been looking for the right person to be our best friend. That's what kills me again. You've found one, and I'm left to keep searching. The right person to accept the knowledge of our unique lives. The right person to have that backstage pass to our day-to-day business. The right person we could pour our trust in. Knowing that this person, will go the extra mile in being friends.
I met you this past semester. We share so many things in common. One time, in this great search, I gave up. I said to myself "I wish I could just duplicate myself." Now, there's you. The same funny sarcasm. The same desire to have friends. Even a similar background and past.
It kills me so slowly. Knowing you and seeing you in front of me everyday. I'm concerned and want to know if you're okay. I don't want any good friend of mine experiencing problems. At one point I was about to break up just like the Columbia Spaceshuttle into Earth's Orbit. I couldn't stand it anymore that I'm left searching for someone else, when all hope for another person to fill in these shoes is like searching for a needle in three acres of rice fields. It took me ages to find someone I think I could just hang out with. I found this person, but then again, this person is already dedicated to someone else.
I'm not jealous and I'm not envious. Those would describe those darker days back in High School. Right now, I'm just happy that you found what you've been looking for. A best friend. And a girl. You're situated in a good place. I just wish you'd understand my problem and encourage me to wait for my turn. Carpe Diem.
To the person who you've found. The friend, not the girl. "You are lucky. Take care of each other. Work together like the buddy system back during the Vietnam War. Watch each other's backs. Don't let anyone drown. Stay cool."
In the end, this isn't love. This is friendship and my obesession with it.
For those concerned, thank you. All I ask is your understanding and some luck on this little journey of mine. Nothing more.
Bad Trip! - The True Story of Frustration
ARRRGGH! I am so hating the on-campus dormitories right now! It is so fucking frustrating! I have to let my feelings lash out into this journal before it targets innocent civilians passing by.
Anyways it goes something like this. Last Friday night I went on a Group Date with Rona-Aldrich, Mik-Jenna, William, and Joy. We went to Las Piñas after playing Billiards at Robinsons Imus. You can read about this night by clicking here.
I returned to the front of La Salle with Aldrich and Mik. Aldrich and Mik would stay at their friend's Dormitory off-campus, just walking distance. I insisted that I return to my comfy bed back inside my dormitory. Since I couldn't provide an excuse-letter like Ben's Group Date did (Ben-his GF, Karl-his date, Lance-Joyce, Basil-Gaile, and Alex-his date) when they went to Alabang, I had to tell the security guard that "I came from home. I spent my Valentine's there."
The main gate guard let me in without any problem. And I walked in the stillness of the midnight down that acacia road. I arrived to the dormitories to find another guard. I told him "I came from home." but he still took my ID.
I didn't argue, I just surrendered it. And I was to pick it up in the morning.
Saturday morning came and I was told by the guards and the e-house (lobby of the dormitories) that they were still "processing" my curfew violation. I was told to provide a signed letter by my parents or legal guardian to excuse me from receiving an offense. They also told me that I would get my ID on Monday.
Whaaaaat?!
As frustrating as it was, I ignored it as best as I could. It was a stupid thing. Why are they making such a big deal out of this? I don't want to boast, but I believe I'm one of the very few male dormers' that follow most of the rules and comply with them!
Come Monday morning after Chemistry (this morning), I proceeded to the dormitory lobby as Eric and them went straight to eat at Fiat. I waited in the lobby for a few minutes as I waited for Matron Hernandez to arrive. She finally arrived and I showed her the letter. Next thing she asks me is: "What is your telephone number?"
In my head was [oh, you don't believe me? ok, go ahead and call my house.]
I gave her my number and she called my house, but no one answered. Perhaps my mom was still asleep or the phone was answered by the Answering Machine before my mom got to it.
"When can I get my ID?" I asked the Matron, in such a kind voice that was starting to sound plastik with anger burning inside.
"Maybe 1pm. Whenever your mom becomes available." She replies.
I always say "Thank you" to end a conversation such as this. But instead I just turned around and headed off down the Acacia avenue and up to the Rotonda. My mom finally answered the phone via my cellphone.
"Mom, the Matron is going to call you later. Just remember i was over in the house last Friday night, with High School friends." I said. She replied with an "Okay" and I told her "Ok thank you, I love you, bye."
I stopped by the guard at the Main Gate, who knew me as a dormer. I confessed that the Matron still has my ID, and that she won't give it until 1pm. He just smiled and told me that I didn't have to worry on getting back into the school, even without an ID. That made me feel a bit better.
I crossed the street, went to Fiat, and ate Brunch with my classmates. I told some of them about this problem.
I returned into the campus, and later enjoyed Potchi Strawberries with Ate Angge at the kubo as we waited for Career Pathing. Career Pathing eventually didn't even happen, and we were dismissed. Some of my classmates went to the Alumni Building to start their assignment, while I went straight to the E-HOUSE to claim my ID knowing my mom was ready to accept the phone. I also needed my ID to surf at ERS and complete some posts.
So I arrive at the dormitory. Thank God Matron Nancy (the nice matron) was there along with this other woman dressed in the same Matron clothes. Matron Hernandez was there in the center, eating.
My approach wasn't the usual smile, it was more of just a plain expression. The Matron called my house, but my mom didn't answer. I called my house using my cellphone and my mom answered and I told her to answer the next call.
The Matron called again and my mom answered. I felt nervous, perhaps the Matron would bombard my mom with a series of questions.
She did.
I overheard the Matron talk about "Potential Termination", "consideration", and other related stuff. I was burning deep inside. If I had curfew violations, it was because I had an extracurricular activity that I was part of. Perhaps the PAG Recital, etc. The worse one would be watching a movie perhaps.
Upper and Kats passed by and I felt some relief that my good classmates had passed by. The Matron popped out of that Intercom booth and handed me my ID. I took the ID and didn't even look at her.
I walked away rushing to get to ERS to join my classmates to surf here.
What's my frustration?
It's this. Other guys go out and have curfew violations because of their girlfriends, because of their drinking, because they simply want to be late or be out there. I have curfew violations only due to participation in University Activities and other sorts. Inside the dorms, I comply with all their regulations and I believe I'm a good on-campus dormer. But that bitch with the glasses, Matron Hernandez, has absolutely no heart-felt feeling for those guys (and of course those girls) that still do their best to follow the rules amidst the tight schedule of the curfew.
Yes, I was out on a Group Date last Friday night. But it was Valentine's Day. And it's my privacy that I can say whatever I want to the Matron. I told everyone FROM THE MOMENT I ARRIVED BACK IN LA SALLE AT 12:30MN last Saturday early morning, that I CAME FROM HOME. They got the signature, they got my mom's approval (even if she knows I really went on a Group Date). WHAT ELSE DO THEY WANT?
(my classmate Cindy encouraged me that I talk to Matron Nancy and tell her my problem and to let at least one of the Matrons know that I haven't done anything seriously wrong as an on-campus dormer)
I've always planned to stay 2-years inside La Salle as an on-campus dormer. But for the first time I'm thinking seriously about moving off-campus. I only wish I could take some of the guys with me. Joel, Basil, Karl, Brian, Lance, Aldrich (and Mik when he comes), with me to some awesome compound off-campus. That's my dream. To hang out all together in a place with no curfew regulation and less house rules.
On-campus dorming: NO cooking, NO laundry, NO good condo facilities, STRICT curfew.
Off-campus dorming: True freedom.
The search begins now. And this summer, I might shift off-campus for dorming.
ARRRGGH! I am so hating the on-campus dormitories right now! It is so fucking frustrating! I have to let my feelings lash out into this journal before it targets innocent civilians passing by.
Anyways it goes something like this. Last Friday night I went on a Group Date with Rona-Aldrich, Mik-Jenna, William, and Joy. We went to Las Piñas after playing Billiards at Robinsons Imus. You can read about this night by clicking here.
I returned to the front of La Salle with Aldrich and Mik. Aldrich and Mik would stay at their friend's Dormitory off-campus, just walking distance. I insisted that I return to my comfy bed back inside my dormitory. Since I couldn't provide an excuse-letter like Ben's Group Date did (Ben-his GF, Karl-his date, Lance-Joyce, Basil-Gaile, and Alex-his date) when they went to Alabang, I had to tell the security guard that "I came from home. I spent my Valentine's there."
The main gate guard let me in without any problem. And I walked in the stillness of the midnight down that acacia road. I arrived to the dormitories to find another guard. I told him "I came from home." but he still took my ID.
I didn't argue, I just surrendered it. And I was to pick it up in the morning.
Saturday morning came and I was told by the guards and the e-house (lobby of the dormitories) that they were still "processing" my curfew violation. I was told to provide a signed letter by my parents or legal guardian to excuse me from receiving an offense. They also told me that I would get my ID on Monday.
Whaaaaat?!
As frustrating as it was, I ignored it as best as I could. It was a stupid thing. Why are they making such a big deal out of this? I don't want to boast, but I believe I'm one of the very few male dormers' that follow most of the rules and comply with them!
Come Monday morning after Chemistry (this morning), I proceeded to the dormitory lobby as Eric and them went straight to eat at Fiat. I waited in the lobby for a few minutes as I waited for Matron Hernandez to arrive. She finally arrived and I showed her the letter. Next thing she asks me is: "What is your telephone number?"
In my head was [oh, you don't believe me? ok, go ahead and call my house.]
I gave her my number and she called my house, but no one answered. Perhaps my mom was still asleep or the phone was answered by the Answering Machine before my mom got to it.
"When can I get my ID?" I asked the Matron, in such a kind voice that was starting to sound plastik with anger burning inside.
"Maybe 1pm. Whenever your mom becomes available." She replies.
I always say "Thank you" to end a conversation such as this. But instead I just turned around and headed off down the Acacia avenue and up to the Rotonda. My mom finally answered the phone via my cellphone.
"Mom, the Matron is going to call you later. Just remember i was over in the house last Friday night, with High School friends." I said. She replied with an "Okay" and I told her "Ok thank you, I love you, bye."
I stopped by the guard at the Main Gate, who knew me as a dormer. I confessed that the Matron still has my ID, and that she won't give it until 1pm. He just smiled and told me that I didn't have to worry on getting back into the school, even without an ID. That made me feel a bit better.
I crossed the street, went to Fiat, and ate Brunch with my classmates. I told some of them about this problem.
I returned into the campus, and later enjoyed Potchi Strawberries with Ate Angge at the kubo as we waited for Career Pathing. Career Pathing eventually didn't even happen, and we were dismissed. Some of my classmates went to the Alumni Building to start their assignment, while I went straight to the E-HOUSE to claim my ID knowing my mom was ready to accept the phone. I also needed my ID to surf at ERS and complete some posts.
So I arrive at the dormitory. Thank God Matron Nancy (the nice matron) was there along with this other woman dressed in the same Matron clothes. Matron Hernandez was there in the center, eating.
My approach wasn't the usual smile, it was more of just a plain expression. The Matron called my house, but my mom didn't answer. I called my house using my cellphone and my mom answered and I told her to answer the next call.
The Matron called again and my mom answered. I felt nervous, perhaps the Matron would bombard my mom with a series of questions.
She did.
I overheard the Matron talk about "Potential Termination", "consideration", and other related stuff. I was burning deep inside. If I had curfew violations, it was because I had an extracurricular activity that I was part of. Perhaps the PAG Recital, etc. The worse one would be watching a movie perhaps.
Upper and Kats passed by and I felt some relief that my good classmates had passed by. The Matron popped out of that Intercom booth and handed me my ID. I took the ID and didn't even look at her.
I walked away rushing to get to ERS to join my classmates to surf here.
What's my frustration?
It's this. Other guys go out and have curfew violations because of their girlfriends, because of their drinking, because they simply want to be late or be out there. I have curfew violations only due to participation in University Activities and other sorts. Inside the dorms, I comply with all their regulations and I believe I'm a good on-campus dormer. But that bitch with the glasses, Matron Hernandez, has absolutely no heart-felt feeling for those guys (and of course those girls) that still do their best to follow the rules amidst the tight schedule of the curfew.
Yes, I was out on a Group Date last Friday night. But it was Valentine's Day. And it's my privacy that I can say whatever I want to the Matron. I told everyone FROM THE MOMENT I ARRIVED BACK IN LA SALLE AT 12:30MN last Saturday early morning, that I CAME FROM HOME. They got the signature, they got my mom's approval (even if she knows I really went on a Group Date). WHAT ELSE DO THEY WANT?
(my classmate Cindy encouraged me that I talk to Matron Nancy and tell her my problem and to let at least one of the Matrons know that I haven't done anything seriously wrong as an on-campus dormer)
I've always planned to stay 2-years inside La Salle as an on-campus dormer. But for the first time I'm thinking seriously about moving off-campus. I only wish I could take some of the guys with me. Joel, Basil, Karl, Brian, Lance, Aldrich (and Mik when he comes), with me to some awesome compound off-campus. That's my dream. To hang out all together in a place with no curfew regulation and less house rules.
On-campus dorming: NO cooking, NO laundry, NO good condo facilities, STRICT curfew.
Off-campus dorming: True freedom.
The search begins now. And this summer, I might shift off-campus for dorming.
Sunday, February 16, 2003
THE FIRST YEAR FINALS
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #32
"Study time."
Nothing could be more dull than this week. Perhaps a long hang-over will take place. Three weeks ago was the "Lasallian Days". Two weeks ago was the "Midterms". One week ago was the exciting "Media Awareness Days" + Exposure Trip to ABS-CBN. Now, well... is an abyss of notes, hand-outs, and boring regular lectures.
I'm not expecting much this week. Rather than retrieving my ID and fixing up my dorm. Perhaps a surplus in my allowance will allow me to go shopping. And I'm very much "ALL SET" for another Group Date or a Gimmick to a club or something. Not that I'm a good dancer, but I'd still like to try. I'd like to throw myself into a crowd of classmates dancing. I want to have fun.
Broadjourn Dormers Night Out will resume on Monday, and perhaps Thursday. I'm going to the GYM on Tuesday and Thursday with Alex and Vince. The Heraldo Filipino is my anchor this week... not news anchor. But literally, it's the anchor this week. I mean, 3 1/2 articles + Proofreading of the Broadsheet at HF. Ahhhhh.
For the AB COM Channel, it'll be recruitment I believe at the end of the week. More Broadjourn! I'm going to try and get myself some classmates to join... para masaya and hopefully it would be more fun.
That seems to be it though. Not much went over the weekend rather than reviewing the hallway I asked to be constructed and having a really hard time deciding which tiles go with which tiles for the Living Room. And I had so much "love" with me from the fun of last Valentine's that I had nothing in me to get my mom angry. I mean, we argue every weekend about little things. But during this past weekend, we've been calm and cool with each other.
That's all. Here's to a week of pure studies and normal College life. Wish me fun as I dive back in...
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #32
"Study time."
Nothing could be more dull than this week. Perhaps a long hang-over will take place. Three weeks ago was the "Lasallian Days". Two weeks ago was the "Midterms". One week ago was the exciting "Media Awareness Days" + Exposure Trip to ABS-CBN. Now, well... is an abyss of notes, hand-outs, and boring regular lectures.
I'm not expecting much this week. Rather than retrieving my ID and fixing up my dorm. Perhaps a surplus in my allowance will allow me to go shopping. And I'm very much "ALL SET" for another Group Date or a Gimmick to a club or something. Not that I'm a good dancer, but I'd still like to try. I'd like to throw myself into a crowd of classmates dancing. I want to have fun.
Broadjourn Dormers Night Out will resume on Monday, and perhaps Thursday. I'm going to the GYM on Tuesday and Thursday with Alex and Vince. The Heraldo Filipino is my anchor this week... not news anchor. But literally, it's the anchor this week. I mean, 3 1/2 articles + Proofreading of the Broadsheet at HF. Ahhhhh.
For the AB COM Channel, it'll be recruitment I believe at the end of the week. More Broadjourn! I'm going to try and get myself some classmates to join... para masaya and hopefully it would be more fun.
That seems to be it though. Not much went over the weekend rather than reviewing the hallway I asked to be constructed and having a really hard time deciding which tiles go with which tiles for the Living Room. And I had so much "love" with me from the fun of last Valentine's that I had nothing in me to get my mom angry. I mean, we argue every weekend about little things. But during this past weekend, we've been calm and cool with each other.
That's all. Here's to a week of pure studies and normal College life. Wish me fun as I dive back in...
Saturday, February 15, 2003
LIVIN' IT UP AT PADI'S POINT
On Spending Valentine's Day 2003
IT was the Day of Love. Many hearts would usually sink on this depressing day. I spend my first Valentine's Day in College, still without a date. I admit I must have been blinded and unprepared. But at least I didn't spent it alone. I tagged along and accepted an invitation to accompany someone in a group date.
That would be accompanying my classmate Rona, who Aldrich is currently courting. It was supposed to be this double date according to Aldrich. He and his best friend Mik (and Mik's Girlfriend, Jenna) were to enjoy a Double Date. Rona, on the other hand, was tired of serious Valentines of the past years and she wanted to loosen up this year around.
She tagged her close friend (and my classmate) Joy and she also got my classmate William to go. Basically that would make 4 Broadjourn + Aldrich, Mik, and Jenna. I would be the 7th Wheel! Argh.
Actually not. Joy was just as ready for a Valentine's Night like Rona. She was all dressed up too. Joy, was perhaps the luckiest with two guys with her. William and I made sure we'd keep Joy a few steps behind or in front of Rona. So Rona could spend time with Aldrich.
Lance, Karl, Basil, Ben, and Alex were on a 5-with-5 Group Date. Officially signed and excused I might like to add.
The final event of the Media Awareness Days was the FASHION EXPOSURE at Lake Park. It would be the first event that JOU1-1 will not participate in. COM1-1, the section that's usually absent all the time in these events, would finally show up. And it was in this event, that JOU1-1, would not show up.
COM1-1, COM1-2, and COM1-3 all had designers and models. They were all ready. The CLA Pool of Talents was also going to happen. Loud music and all started to play at Lake Park. And upon finding out that no one in our class is going to be participating, I felt a little bad.
I decided to go with the Double Date thing with Aldrich and classmate Rona and Aldrich's best friend Mik and Mik's girlfriend Jenna. Basically it's spelled out like Aldrich-Rona and Mik-Jenna. Rona attached William, Joy, and me to go with her.
So we went off-campus. There, Badge and I met. Badge is one of four girls in my class that I gave a card to. And I will admit since this is my journal, she is the only one of the four that I asked that if she was alone on Valentines' Night, that I would make the time and be with her. I already felt she was going home (it was a Friday night) because she dorms off-campus and is returning to Alfonso. It was true, she did have to go home. But she did write a touching letter to respond to my card. Thanks Badge!
I found out that we would be going to Robinsons Imus. We arrived at Robinsons' and headed straight for the Bowling Alley and Billiards place. We were to play Billiards.
What?! I don't know how to play Billiards.
But it was fun trying. William, Joy, and Rona did the " Standby --- *Applause* " everytime I hit the other Billiard balls. It was fun playing and Aldrich and Mik were so good. I guess it was fun, I mean we all enjoyed playing Billiards.
When we left the Billiards place all hungry, the whole mall was closed already! It was only 8:30pm and it was already closed. What made it more frustrating was because we didn't eat yet.
We left the mall and it took us forever just to get a jeepnee or a vehicle to take us to Las Piñas, where Mik would drop Jenna and Aldrich would drop my classmate Rona at. We eventually got on a Zapote and from Zapote we got on a 2nd jeepnee to find us a place to eat.
William or someone suggested "Padi's Point". I was excited. Cool, I've heard these branches on the radio. Can't wait.
We arrived and Padi's Point - Las Piñas was wedged between small buildings. A large Jollybee, McDonalds, and Burger King were all nearby. We entered the place. The seven of us have never been to Padi's Point, so it was fun as we entered and pay'd P50 at the entrance.
After bag inspection, we made our way in. The atmosphere was dark, and there were many serious people just sitting down. We went up the stairs and sat down. Aldrich and Mik didn't really get the menus, Rona had to get them! I accompanied Rona and we both looked at the menu. The food was expensive! Well, I expected it that way... but the atmosphere wasn't worth it. The place was for drinking, for smoking, and for dancing. It wasn't exactly a romantic place to eat at.
Aldrich and Mik just stared. Jenna stared. Rona and I were looking at the menu. Moments of silence...
Then I spoke.
"You know what. No one in the neighboring tables are eating! They're just sitting and staring. Let's DO it this way. We go out to Burger King or some fast food joint and get some good food to fulfill our appetite. Then we return here to drink or to dance later. There's no point in wasting five-hundred pesos just for a piece of chicken. Let's GO."
I stood up and Rona supported me. William and Joy not so far behind. Aldrich followed, so did Mik and Jenna.
We left the place and walked next door to Jollybee. Not exactly my choice for fast food since I did have Jollybee for lunch that day, but still it was a place to eat. It wasn't exactly romantic, but it was a place to eat. And after ordering, the true double-date had a table to themselves. And they were laughing and enjoying it. The music was even better. The Matchbox Twenty playing on the big screen at Padi's Point couldn't compare to the sweet sentimental tunes playing in Jollybee. That's just my opinion.
Rona thanked me for "Being Practical." I just had to mention this because no one's ever called me "Practical" before.
Joy was told to go home, but Rona said we would be wasting our P50 at the entrance of Padi's Point. We returned to Padi's Point next door where a live band was playing music. Only four people were dancing. The rest, just staring.
William and Rona started to pull me to the Dance floor. Aldrich followed of course. Suddenly, we started dancing! It was one of those "live in the moment" things... more people joined and Mik and Jenna finally jumped in. Songs like "Can't Get you Outta my Head" and "Hot in Herre" and "Happppppy" (Happy) played. It was awesome! William and Rona were really good, and it was fun. Joy didn't dance though.
Joy had to go home, so we had to cut our dancing short. We did around 15-20 minutes of dancing, one hour should be good but still, that short amount of dancing left our minds wishing for more on a future date.
We all got on a jeepnee and William took Rona and Joy home as they continued down the road. Aldrich already got Rona up to Las Piñas, so he joined his Best Friend in dropping Jenna at some subdivision (it was too late and too dark to look around and see where).
As crazy as it sounds, Aldrich and I enjoyed a fun tricycle ride since it was so dark and the top was open air. Mik and Jenna sat inside the passenger compartment. At first, the motorcycle was vibrating so fast that it started to tickle both Aldrich and me. Aldrich was also laughing and smiling because he had just enjoyed the disco at Padi's Point. He was all trying to lift himself so the vibrations would stop. We looked funny there.
We arrived at Jenna's house and she brought us inside so Mik could make paalam (formal notice) to her parents. We then had to walk a few blocks in the darkness of the subdivision to get on a Tricycle and reverse our route.
The three of us boarded a jeepnee filled with guys. I mean, all different kinds of guys. I don't think these guys were friends or all, but in my head I thought about something. One guy was wearing a leather suit, looks like he just dropped his girl to her house or something. Two or three guys looked tired, perhaps from a drinking session or just from their dates. It was like a Bachelor's Jeepnee or something up until Zapote.
I noted Aldrich watch over Mik as they crossed the street underneath the Zapote Flyover. "Who would watch over me?" I wondered, as I crossed the street. *ouch*
The first jeepnee we saw was medium-lit and was still empty. We went to the front of it to see where it was going. BINGO... DBB AREA C. That's La Salle, straight-away.
We got in and waited another while until the Jeepnee ride started. We went down the road and Mik and Aldrich were on opposite sides behind the driver and the front passenger seat. I was next to Mik. The mood was that we were all tired. When we passed by SM Bacoor, I believe the President of the DLSU-D Chorale boarded. He was wearing a uniform. But I forgot his name! I interviewed him for one of my first-ever articles for the HF... at the same time I was lazy and tired and their was silence in the jeepnee.
We got off in front of La Salle and Mik would be joining Aldrich in staying at their classmate Raymond's dorm off-campus. Since it wasn't 2 o'clock in the morning and that it was still 12:30mn... I decided to return to the comforts of my dorm room inside the campus. It took me a while to get inside since their was no one at the Main Gate. The guard there didn't take my ID because I told him "I came from home."
After a long long walk in the stillness of the night, I arrived at the Men's Dormitory Compound and even if I told the guard there I "came from home"... he still took my ID. Read the rest of this controversial story here.
I enjoyed the trip so much. I want to start clubbing more often now.
On Spending Valentine's Day 2003
IT was the Day of Love. Many hearts would usually sink on this depressing day. I spend my first Valentine's Day in College, still without a date. I admit I must have been blinded and unprepared. But at least I didn't spent it alone. I tagged along and accepted an invitation to accompany someone in a group date.
That would be accompanying my classmate Rona, who Aldrich is currently courting. It was supposed to be this double date according to Aldrich. He and his best friend Mik (and Mik's Girlfriend, Jenna) were to enjoy a Double Date. Rona, on the other hand, was tired of serious Valentines of the past years and she wanted to loosen up this year around.
She tagged her close friend (and my classmate) Joy and she also got my classmate William to go. Basically that would make 4 Broadjourn + Aldrich, Mik, and Jenna. I would be the 7th Wheel! Argh.
Actually not. Joy was just as ready for a Valentine's Night like Rona. She was all dressed up too. Joy, was perhaps the luckiest with two guys with her. William and I made sure we'd keep Joy a few steps behind or in front of Rona. So Rona could spend time with Aldrich.
Lance, Karl, Basil, Ben, and Alex were on a 5-with-5 Group Date. Officially signed and excused I might like to add.
The final event of the Media Awareness Days was the FASHION EXPOSURE at Lake Park. It would be the first event that JOU1-1 will not participate in. COM1-1, the section that's usually absent all the time in these events, would finally show up. And it was in this event, that JOU1-1, would not show up.
COM1-1, COM1-2, and COM1-3 all had designers and models. They were all ready. The CLA Pool of Talents was also going to happen. Loud music and all started to play at Lake Park. And upon finding out that no one in our class is going to be participating, I felt a little bad.
I decided to go with the Double Date thing with Aldrich and classmate Rona and Aldrich's best friend Mik and Mik's girlfriend Jenna. Basically it's spelled out like Aldrich-Rona and Mik-Jenna. Rona attached William, Joy, and me to go with her.
So we went off-campus. There, Badge and I met. Badge is one of four girls in my class that I gave a card to. And I will admit since this is my journal, she is the only one of the four that I asked that if she was alone on Valentines' Night, that I would make the time and be with her. I already felt she was going home (it was a Friday night) because she dorms off-campus and is returning to Alfonso. It was true, she did have to go home. But she did write a touching letter to respond to my card. Thanks Badge!
I found out that we would be going to Robinsons Imus. We arrived at Robinsons' and headed straight for the Bowling Alley and Billiards place. We were to play Billiards.
What?! I don't know how to play Billiards.
But it was fun trying. William, Joy, and Rona did the " Standby --- *Applause* " everytime I hit the other Billiard balls. It was fun playing and Aldrich and Mik were so good. I guess it was fun, I mean we all enjoyed playing Billiards.
When we left the Billiards place all hungry, the whole mall was closed already! It was only 8:30pm and it was already closed. What made it more frustrating was because we didn't eat yet.
We left the mall and it took us forever just to get a jeepnee or a vehicle to take us to Las Piñas, where Mik would drop Jenna and Aldrich would drop my classmate Rona at. We eventually got on a Zapote and from Zapote we got on a 2nd jeepnee to find us a place to eat.
William or someone suggested "Padi's Point". I was excited. Cool, I've heard these branches on the radio. Can't wait.
We arrived and Padi's Point - Las Piñas was wedged between small buildings. A large Jollybee, McDonalds, and Burger King were all nearby. We entered the place. The seven of us have never been to Padi's Point, so it was fun as we entered and pay'd P50 at the entrance.
After bag inspection, we made our way in. The atmosphere was dark, and there were many serious people just sitting down. We went up the stairs and sat down. Aldrich and Mik didn't really get the menus, Rona had to get them! I accompanied Rona and we both looked at the menu. The food was expensive! Well, I expected it that way... but the atmosphere wasn't worth it. The place was for drinking, for smoking, and for dancing. It wasn't exactly a romantic place to eat at.
Aldrich and Mik just stared. Jenna stared. Rona and I were looking at the menu. Moments of silence...
Then I spoke.
"You know what. No one in the neighboring tables are eating! They're just sitting and staring. Let's DO it this way. We go out to Burger King or some fast food joint and get some good food to fulfill our appetite. Then we return here to drink or to dance later. There's no point in wasting five-hundred pesos just for a piece of chicken. Let's GO."
I stood up and Rona supported me. William and Joy not so far behind. Aldrich followed, so did Mik and Jenna.
We left the place and walked next door to Jollybee. Not exactly my choice for fast food since I did have Jollybee for lunch that day, but still it was a place to eat. It wasn't exactly romantic, but it was a place to eat. And after ordering, the true double-date had a table to themselves. And they were laughing and enjoying it. The music was even better. The Matchbox Twenty playing on the big screen at Padi's Point couldn't compare to the sweet sentimental tunes playing in Jollybee. That's just my opinion.
Rona thanked me for "Being Practical." I just had to mention this because no one's ever called me "Practical" before.
Joy was told to go home, but Rona said we would be wasting our P50 at the entrance of Padi's Point. We returned to Padi's Point next door where a live band was playing music. Only four people were dancing. The rest, just staring.
William and Rona started to pull me to the Dance floor. Aldrich followed of course. Suddenly, we started dancing! It was one of those "live in the moment" things... more people joined and Mik and Jenna finally jumped in. Songs like "Can't Get you Outta my Head" and "Hot in Herre" and "Happppppy" (Happy) played. It was awesome! William and Rona were really good, and it was fun. Joy didn't dance though.
Joy had to go home, so we had to cut our dancing short. We did around 15-20 minutes of dancing, one hour should be good but still, that short amount of dancing left our minds wishing for more on a future date.
We all got on a jeepnee and William took Rona and Joy home as they continued down the road. Aldrich already got Rona up to Las Piñas, so he joined his Best Friend in dropping Jenna at some subdivision (it was too late and too dark to look around and see where).
As crazy as it sounds, Aldrich and I enjoyed a fun tricycle ride since it was so dark and the top was open air. Mik and Jenna sat inside the passenger compartment. At first, the motorcycle was vibrating so fast that it started to tickle both Aldrich and me. Aldrich was also laughing and smiling because he had just enjoyed the disco at Padi's Point. He was all trying to lift himself so the vibrations would stop. We looked funny there.
We arrived at Jenna's house and she brought us inside so Mik could make paalam (formal notice) to her parents. We then had to walk a few blocks in the darkness of the subdivision to get on a Tricycle and reverse our route.
The three of us boarded a jeepnee filled with guys. I mean, all different kinds of guys. I don't think these guys were friends or all, but in my head I thought about something. One guy was wearing a leather suit, looks like he just dropped his girl to her house or something. Two or three guys looked tired, perhaps from a drinking session or just from their dates. It was like a Bachelor's Jeepnee or something up until Zapote.
I noted Aldrich watch over Mik as they crossed the street underneath the Zapote Flyover. "Who would watch over me?" I wondered, as I crossed the street. *ouch*
The first jeepnee we saw was medium-lit and was still empty. We went to the front of it to see where it was going. BINGO... DBB AREA C. That's La Salle, straight-away.
We got in and waited another while until the Jeepnee ride started. We went down the road and Mik and Aldrich were on opposite sides behind the driver and the front passenger seat. I was next to Mik. The mood was that we were all tired. When we passed by SM Bacoor, I believe the President of the DLSU-D Chorale boarded. He was wearing a uniform. But I forgot his name! I interviewed him for one of my first-ever articles for the HF... at the same time I was lazy and tired and their was silence in the jeepnee.
We got off in front of La Salle and Mik would be joining Aldrich in staying at their classmate Raymond's dorm off-campus. Since it wasn't 2 o'clock in the morning and that it was still 12:30mn... I decided to return to the comforts of my dorm room inside the campus. It took me a while to get inside since their was no one at the Main Gate. The guard there didn't take my ID because I told him "I came from home."
After a long long walk in the stillness of the night, I arrived at the Men's Dormitory Compound and even if I told the guard there I "came from home"... he still took my ID. Read the rest of this controversial story here.
I enjoyed the trip so much. I want to start clubbing more often now.
STANDING BY FOR APPLAUSE
The Damage Report - End of Week #31
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"I'm left spinning in awe and excitement..."
SIXTY-THREE pictures. A record-breaking amount of [4R Glossy w/ Border] taken within the time frame of one week. One week crammed with Media Awareness Days and our visit to ABS-CBN studios.
Last Monday, February 10 2003 - A Tour to Remember
We gathered at PLS around 6 o'clock in the morning. Four sections, COM1-1, COM1-2, COM1-3, and JOU1-1. All first year of AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism. I arrived with the other on-campus dorm mates of JOU1-1. Somehow, we were the first section to get onto a bus. There were only three buses, meaning one section would have to be divided.
I think COM1-1 was the section that was divided. A few of them had to cram onto our bus and sit in the middle aisle. If we knew we would have "guests", we would have set an area for them to sit at.
Anyways, my seatmate on the bus was Eric. Maycee arrived a bit late so she sat in the aisle. On the other side was Jerson and Jhen. Basically, it was a row of five with Maycee in the seat on the aisle.
We set off and listened to the radio on the bus. The TV was off. The weather outside was also morning sunny. We passed by our classmate Mark somewhere in Imus, but we couldn't stop the bus exactly... i don't know why. Our first destination would of course be ABS-CBN Studios in Quezon City.
We arrived in QC around 10 o'clock in the morning. We gathered in front of the [Audience Entrance] of the studios. We were told to wait until they could accept us. Somehow, JOU1-1 ended up on front again. It made me wonder how this was happening. Why were we always looking "so excited" to get inside. But trust me, it's worth it later on (just continue reading).
After waiting for a few more minutes and slowly entering the compound of the several studios, we finally were given ABS-CBN Studio Tour stickers and were told to proceed around a number of studios. We passed by the MTB studio, the TV-Patrol studio, and after going down a flight of stairs we ended up entering the MORNING GIRLS studio.
Quickly we were told to sit in the Audience chairs. Now here's the thing. Since, somehow, we were (JOU1-1) still up front of the long line, we got to sit on the lower seats. Of course, these lower seats are closer to the set and to the celebrities to come by. I didn't realize this until I sat down on the 2nd row and noticed that the camera was just to my eye-level.
We eventually got seated and I observed everything. Every person on the set, I scanned to see what they were doing. Someone would be handling the sound system, another would be working the camera, another would be holding some kind of script. Two or three others would be found writing up the Idiot Boards. And then of course, the Audience Coordinator would be informing us of what to do.
While all of that was happening, "Teysi" was showing on the two TV screens situated on both sides of the set. Patricia Javier was a guest on that show. "Teysi" happens to be the show before "Morning Girls". As everyone still had their eyes up on the screen, no one noticed that Korina Sanchez had already seated herself in her chair. She just walked in quietly and sat down on the chair.
Korina was quiet and she was reviewing some notes. It was still quiet. Suddenly, Kris Aquino walked in. The Audience Coordinator said out loud "Ladies and Gentlemen -- Kris Aquino and Korina Sanchez" and we all began to clap out loud. This shattered the silence and Korina and Kris broke into an off-air conversation. They were talking to each other in English, and talking about what's been happening to them lately.
Kris started to complain about "Teysi" going over-time. Finally "Teysi" went off and no longer than a minute, the Coordinator told us to raise our hands and to clap. We began to clap out loud "ENERGY!!" as they demanded from us. We clapped loud and "Morning Girls" began. They started off with a little bit of talking followed by introducing their audience. "From De La Salle University - Dasmariñas... the First Year AB Com and Broadjourn!".
Kris and Korina spun off into a small conversation about "Broadjourn" and what it was. They also asked why majority are girls up in the audience. ü "Perhaps woman are more meticulous then men."
After Kris and Korina reviewed a series of news and events, they finally began their topic. Guests were Willie, Andrew E, Cito, and William Martinez. The topic of the episode we were witnessing before us was "Bastusan" (rudeness). It was fun to watch and witness all of this happening. They broke into a commercial and we watched them plan their conversations or add in things they'd like to say off-air about the topic.
Eventually the show rolled on and it had to come to an end. The audience sang Kris the "Happy Birthday" song (in advance) and several pictures were taken by classmate Badge. After they got off the set, we slowly disassembled and walked out the back exit and proceeded outside.
We were all starving as we waited for the bus. After taking pictures, the bus came and drove us to a nearby block which had a McDo and HenLin place. We made our way into the fastest-serving McDo I've been to. There are like five people in front of me in line, and you can get your food in two minutes. While in Tanza or back in Waltermart Dasmariñas it would take you five minutes, with just two people in front of you. Cool. (There's a banner hanging out front: "This McDo: Serves you in 60 seconds or less!") I have a picture.
We had our food fast, and now we had no to place to eat. We went next door to Hen Lin across the street and found some COM1-2 in line, and we also found some AB Com Program Council members trying to scramble in dealing with their Freshmen. Ms. Mhasa Sigari was also there.
We spent 10 minutes trying to find a place to eat. We walked down the side of a fast highway to find the buses on a different block. We retreated to our bus and ate fast, all the while I took more pictures.
Moments later we returned to ABS-CBN and went inside. We were divided into three tour groups. I believe, once again, that JOU1-1 was in the front and first group... with some COM1-1 with us. We were first brought to the TV-PATROL studio. It was actually smaller... and like the new tour guide says... "Sets like these look around TEN times larger on TV than what you see here."
I touched the desk of TV Patrol and closed my eyes. Just one moment with the desk! I convinced Maycee to join me and engage in a technique to get the best pictures of these studios. The technique was to stay behind the rest of the tour group, and after we are told to leave... to spend one last minute taking pictures and looking around ourselves.
After TV-Patrol we went to the set of "Teysi" and I got a picture with Maycee and Ms. Sigari there. Next we proceeded to the set of GAME K N B?! It was bigger and it was okay compared to the shockingly smaller TV-PATROL set. We took several pictures. Maycee and I each have a solo picture standing right on the circular centerpiece of the Game K N B set. Awesome!
We went around places in the studio. Eventually we encountered Gretchen Baretto walking down the hall. The best one was having a picture with Mark Logan. He was more "free" than the other artists we saw. What was more cool was visiting the BRAIN of the studios, which was the Editing Facility. Several television screens inside of one room. Room by room, you'd see editing of tv-shows. There's one I saw with Piolo Pascual and some other actress on whatever show they're on... the screen was on pause, and someone was editing the scene.
I had a picture taken next to the ABS-CBN MOBILE NEWS ROOM. I mean, heck, that's our course and that's our primary objective of job occupation right? Broadjourn? Broadcasting + Journalism = Responsible Broadcast Journalism. Ngek ngek ngek... hahaha.
Eventually our tour had to come to an end and it concluded after visiting this new building they constructed. Lots of pictures were taken by the other sections as well. We returned to the bus and I replied to several txt msgs.
It was on this bus ride that a friend of mine admitted her problem and her disrupted feelings. Jezire, thank you for telling me yourself. Our friendship will never be affected in any way by this. I treasure my friends like I treasure my life. I will never let go of having you as my friend.
***
It took the whole bus ride for that thing to get settled and when it finished after Jezire got off the bus at SM Bacoor, I sat somewhere else and all my classmates look at me and put out their fists like they were interviewing me. I didn't know it was this understood by the whole class. Haha.
Teenah and I wanted to eat out before going on-campus. Ate Angge joined us. So the three of us ate out at Chowking in front of Waltermart Dasmariñas. After we ate out, we went to La Salle. We said bye to Ate Angge and Teenah wanted to eat some fresh Mangos. I joined her and we bought Mango's before heading off back into the quiet campus.
It was a very enjoyable trip. It was fun seeing what we're working for. To be inspired that AB Com and Broadjourn have an advantage in entering the world of media. One of the tour guides said: "You could be anyone in entering the media. But if you studied the Media in College, it's a whole different story. You'll develop where you want to go, and you will know how to get there with confidence."
Last Tuesday, February 11 2003 - Prep for the Parade
It was the eve of the Media Awareness Days. We spent most of Tuesday preparing for our Float for the parade. Well actually, not the float. We were scrambling to find a truck for our float and that was a lot of effort! The dancers practiced their performance, props were set up, and all sorts of rehearsals and approvals.
We still had NSTP-CWTSP and I interviewed Ate Rose (my assigned family) about the Importance of News to her and her neighbors' lifestyle. While I accompanied my classmate Joanna to her family, we found out her family moved away suddenly. Awww. So I tied up loose ends by telling Joanna to take Jhen's "abandoned" family. Jhen is "immune" from NSTP-CWTSP after her membership to Teatro Lasalliana. The family which was once enjoying conversations with Jhen, had spent so many weeks without anyone to interview them. Now they were happy once again when I introduced them to Joanna. ^_^
Last Wednesday, February 12 2003 - Media Awareness Begins
The meeting time was early morning and we gathered at a kubo. We didn't attend the mass, but instead started working on our float all morning long which was located in front of Hotel Nicole. The dancers also practiced and got into attire. It was later we found out that we were the only ones with a float. "HEY! They asked for a float... they GOT one. Sheesh." (i'm referring to the Communication Arts Program Council).
Well it was fun and it was Broadjourn Unity. We lifted our models up onto the float and the parade began. And just like last Monday during the Exposure Trip, Broadjourn was up front once again. (It's not like we marched straight to the front, but we were told to start the Parade.)
The new thing the whole class does is the "Standby - *APPLAUSE*" thing. Jeremy inspired the whole class to clap their hands and cheer really loud one or two seconds after we say "Standby". So, if you're in JOU1-1 and you hear someone say "Standby". (1) Lift your hands slightly and make your two hands parallel to each other like a frozen clap. (2) Wait a second. (3) Clap really loud and cheer. It was, of course, a thing from our exposure trip as the audience of "Morning Girls".
How many times did we clap our hands out loud?! Hahaha. I would describe my class during the parade as: "Up front and very VERY cheerful." We marched around, even in this cheesy parade... but it wasn't the cheesy parade. It was just being part of the class and marching together. All our hard work and efforts. While the sections behind us advertised their goods and products... we were advertising our course. A course still brand new, and only a few know about.
It was fun. Pictures were taken too by Ate Winnie of the HF. Thanks Ate Winnie for carrying my camera.
After the parade ended at JFH grounds, we spent an hour cooling off. CAD had so many sponsors. One of which was Kimberly-Clark and they gave each section a whole box of Kotex-napkin samples! It was crazy!! Everyone got two or three pieces. I saw a bag filled with pink kotex-napkin boxes. Crazy. But memorable.
Ate Angge would represent us in the CAD Singing Sensation while Emil, Jem, Natz (the Broadjourn Power of 3) + William, and two girls Bianca and Kate Q would represent us in the CAD Dance Competition.
The Singing Sensation went first, and I covered it. Ate Angge sang to "How Do I Live?" by Leann Rymes. She was amazing! We really felt the song and the emotion with it. However, there were these guys that also sang really good. I guess since the world accepts female singers more often... when you hear a guy sing really good... they have an added edge. We didn't win the Singing Sensation, but we should be proud that Ate Angge accepted to sing for us at the last minute and she did her very best just for us. ^_^
The Dance Competition began and COM2-1 went first. They did this unique Pyramid and Zombie thing. The choreography was excellent. Next was our section, JOU1-1. To the tune of "Next Episode". What Kate Q. and Bianca wore was very very daring. The Sexy Schoolgirl look. Add William the performer, and the Broadjourn Power of Three (Jem, Natz, and Emil)... and it was this awesome performance. COM1-3 performed (all girls) to "Gossip Folks" which is the latest song by Missy E. COM1-2 mixed several songs, and they had a mix of guys and girls. COM1-1 had no representative once again. COM2-3's "Noicemakers" (award-winning dance group) performed twice. They are sooooo good! The girl in the jersey is cute. She dances with feeling. Their moves aren't overdone sexy, they're balanced with slick moves. Cool. I just found out COM2-3 is the most active of the 2nd Year sections of AB Com and Broadjourn. (I wonder if JOU1-1 counts as the most active in First Year?)
COM2-2 though stole the show when these eight girls suited in Chinese-red and black pants danced to a song by Utada Hikaru. It had so many beats and they won eventually. However, personally I believe COM2-1 could've won (the Mummies) since COM2-2's Oriental thing didn't have facial expressions and their sounds weren't that clear. Oh well. Congrats still, it still looked nice.
I covered all the dances except the Noicemakers since they always had two or three cameramen and camerawomen working around the dance floor. They were blocking the way.
We didn't win anything, but the participation was just enough. We performed at least, and once again- it was a success.
Last Thursday, February 13 2003 - Meeting The Probe Team
Three things slammed into each other during the afternoon. The LAUNCH OF THE AB COM CHANNEL programs which we made last Semester. My participation in the NEWSCASTING COMPETITION. And the JOURNALISM SEMINAR with guests from THE PROBE TEAM on GMA-7.
I divided it this way. I worked as a Production Assistant under Kuya Jake Ofrasio for the AB Com Channel. I helped them set up the decorations at Square Canteen. After that, I fled to my dorm to wear my newscasting clothes (shimmering blue-violet polo courtesy Aldrich, yellow tie courtesy dorm mate in CBA- Mark). I then made it to the first hour of the Seminar. Che Che Lazaro couldn't attend as a guest, but the writers and co-workers of Che Che Lazaro made it and they showed us three documentaries that i-Witness / The Probe Team made. One of them was "MISTAH" and another was about slaughtered pigs and the usage of them.
I left 1/3 of the Seminar to join my classmate Endrea Fabian at JFH 201. She was dressing up and practicing. She would be representing JOU1-1 in the Filipino category and I would represent for the English category.
It took another 30 minutes, but eventually the competition began. We saw the other competitors. There were only three or four guys including myself. The others were all girls. The script they gave to us was on-the-spot but there would be an idiot board available. Lights and Cameras were all-set inside the Media Production Room (MPR). A television screen was available outside for friends and other competitors to see.
I was prepared and I was the 7th to compete. Endrea would be the 8th. I entered and confidently sat down (not to boast, but i just want to describe my feelings). I stared straight at the camera and asked for the Idiot Board to be positioned correctly. I was on in 5-4-3-... 2... (my heart stops) ... 1...
"Good afternoon.... (reads news piece about Iraq, Osama Bin Laden, terrorist alert) ... Stay Tuned for more news tonight. I'm George Putong of ABS-..(silence)..-AB Com TV".
Damn! I messed up the ending!! But no one noticed it! Hahaha. This is what I should have said at the end if I could repeat that moment.
"...Stay tuned for more news tonight. For the Broadjourn News Network, I'm George Putong of AB COM TV."
I've always wanted to slam my reporting to a close with such a bang. Oh well.
I returned to the CVR to finish the seminar. I had pictures taken and I was the one to start the autographing. After the newscasting thing, I suddenly had a surge of confidence. I don't know why... but the "Now or Never" influence by the Chair of AB Com really got into me.
I changed back in the dorm and prepared to go to Waltermart to develop film.
Last Friday, February 14 2003 - The Valentine on my Mind
The spirit of the Media Awareness Days simmered lower to allow BioSci and Reed2 to continue. Elemstat and my classmates' Pagbasa at Pagsulat were cancelled for the day. It was Valentine's Day and chocolates, cards, and flowers were being exchanged. I received a Valentine's Heartshaped greeting from Shiela. I also received something from Jezire, three "Lush" chocolates and a quote written on another heartshaped card. I was struck by the quote- thanks Jezire.
In BioSci, all Dr. Fonollera did was check our test papers and our Self-tests found in our Biological Sciences Compendium book. Afterwards we ate at Jollybee at Waltermart Dasmariñas. They were still renovating half the place, Greenich disappeared behind a temporary construction wall.
During Reed2, it was fun to have another lecture under Mrs. Planas. She's such an inspiring professor. We received more "free handouts" (from her off-campus Photocopy shop: "Yahweh's Cave") and it was called "An Interview with God".
We could relate since it was written in first-person form. The person was a "new journalist" and was interviewing God. Mrs. Planas asked my classmates which of God's answers touched them the most.
I had something to recite, but I didn't want to. It was too personal and my classmates would spend ages trying to guess what this problem really is. The answer I selected went something like this: "Learn that life has decisions. Do not turn yourself down by envy and jealousy of another."
I admitted that "jealousy" and "envy" wearn't my targets inside that answer. The deadly sin that affects me the most now would be SLOTH. I destroyed "jealousy/envy" in 4th Year High School after I ruined my friendship with someone.
The quote just had a certain specialty to it. The way it was constructed. The way the words connected hit me directly to the problem I've recently had. The main point I took from this answer was "Learn that life has decisions" and I explained it as "WE decide if we want to feel bad or good. WE decide if we will BE HAPPY without jealousy and envy."
The professor and the rest of the class looked at me, trying to understand every word coming out of my mouth. Mrs. Planas explained it in a simpler way to the class "what she thought" she had understood from my recitation. However, no one got the problem. I'd like to keep it that way for now.
After class, classmates dissolved away into the kubos and into jeepnees headed for home. I went to Lake Park to assist the JOU1-1 Officers who were tasked to help in the FASHION EXPOSURE at that location. Sadly, this was the only event of MAD that JOU1-1 has no influence in. We've done the PARADE, we've done the SINGING COMPETITION, and we've done the DANCE COMPETITION. We also had attended a SEMINAR with writers of THE PROBE TEAM.
I grew a little depressed. Read about the memorable "Valentine's Night 2003" by clicking here.
Last Saturday, February 15 2003 - Researching at the Library
Saturday began and it was Basil and Me rushing to ERH for class. Everyone else didn't wake up yet since they were all so tired. Lance, for instance, got home at 6 o'clock in the morning. He dropped Joyce back in Noveleta. He should plan things more. The rest of the guys of the "Mega Group Date" returned home and were just so tired.
Basil and I spoke to Ms. Encabo, whom I thought would be angry with us for being late once again and for not finishing our research. Instead, she told us that we would be the only ones considered PRESENT together with the two Chinese/Korean students. And that we were to seriously conduct our research and have at least something to submit for our next meeting.
So it was done. I spent the rest of the morning just eating with Basil at La Buena and then meeting Eric and Danielle at CTH 105. The two of them were taking their make-up quiz in ElemStat.
Eric and I then dropped Danielle to the PALAD SEMINAR (Heraldo Filipino's Literary Digest - Seminar) which she made it to. Congratz! Afterwards, we headed for the Library to research on the 4 articles we both each have to work on.
We went around the library and after going in circles and passing by Ate Florence (Kate's older sister) and Ate Bonnie (Bonnie Padua of HF), we ended up at what I like to call "the tower".
The 4th floor of the Aklatan Emilio Aguinaldo! And it goes up to the 5th floor, the highest point of the EAST Campus. We didn't go there but we entered the 4th Floor which was the "Archives" level. It's the size of one very large room. But the staircase is in the middle. A giant balcony is in front of it but the door was locked. A lady, looking very bored, finally had company when we asked her to help us find back-issues of the La Salleño. I have to research the LS of 1993 and 1996 while Eric has to research the LS of 1994 adn 1997. Then both of us have a specialty article. Mine is "Lasalleño: Pop culture of the Decade" while Eric's is: "Lasalleño: People of the Decade". Then both of us have a collaboration article entitled "Lasalleño: The First Ten Years".
A total of 7 articles. But divided into his space and my space, it's still 3 1/2 to 4 whole articles to make and submit on that day or for next week.
My pick up arrived and I went back to the dorms and left. It was one whole week of experiencing the Media. At no time did I lose the energy to keep on going. My love for the media, to study it... to work with it... kept me going. I finally found something I'm not tired to work with. From ABS-CBN last Monday to the Newscasting Competition on Thursday, from the Parade last Wednesday to the article researching on Saturday... it was one great week.
Oh and by the way--- Mr. Harold Palad, our adviser in JOU1-1, congratulated me last Friday afternoon in front of La Buena when we passed by. According to him, even if there's one winner in the Newscasting Competition which was a 4th Year AB Com guy. He told me that I placed "third". ^_^ AWESOME!!!
Stay tuned for more news tonight! For the Broadjourn News Network... I'm George Putong of AB COM TV. *grin-smile*
The Damage Report - End of Week #31
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"I'm left spinning in awe and excitement..."
SIXTY-THREE pictures. A record-breaking amount of [4R Glossy w/ Border] taken within the time frame of one week. One week crammed with Media Awareness Days and our visit to ABS-CBN studios.
Last Monday, February 10 2003 - A Tour to Remember
We gathered at PLS around 6 o'clock in the morning. Four sections, COM1-1, COM1-2, COM1-3, and JOU1-1. All first year of AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism. I arrived with the other on-campus dorm mates of JOU1-1. Somehow, we were the first section to get onto a bus. There were only three buses, meaning one section would have to be divided.
I think COM1-1 was the section that was divided. A few of them had to cram onto our bus and sit in the middle aisle. If we knew we would have "guests", we would have set an area for them to sit at.
Anyways, my seatmate on the bus was Eric. Maycee arrived a bit late so she sat in the aisle. On the other side was Jerson and Jhen. Basically, it was a row of five with Maycee in the seat on the aisle.
We set off and listened to the radio on the bus. The TV was off. The weather outside was also morning sunny. We passed by our classmate Mark somewhere in Imus, but we couldn't stop the bus exactly... i don't know why. Our first destination would of course be ABS-CBN Studios in Quezon City.
We arrived in QC around 10 o'clock in the morning. We gathered in front of the [Audience Entrance] of the studios. We were told to wait until they could accept us. Somehow, JOU1-1 ended up on front again. It made me wonder how this was happening. Why were we always looking "so excited" to get inside. But trust me, it's worth it later on (just continue reading).
After waiting for a few more minutes and slowly entering the compound of the several studios, we finally were given ABS-CBN Studio Tour stickers and were told to proceed around a number of studios. We passed by the MTB studio, the TV-Patrol studio, and after going down a flight of stairs we ended up entering the MORNING GIRLS studio.
Quickly we were told to sit in the Audience chairs. Now here's the thing. Since, somehow, we were (JOU1-1) still up front of the long line, we got to sit on the lower seats. Of course, these lower seats are closer to the set and to the celebrities to come by. I didn't realize this until I sat down on the 2nd row and noticed that the camera was just to my eye-level.
We eventually got seated and I observed everything. Every person on the set, I scanned to see what they were doing. Someone would be handling the sound system, another would be working the camera, another would be holding some kind of script. Two or three others would be found writing up the Idiot Boards. And then of course, the Audience Coordinator would be informing us of what to do.
While all of that was happening, "Teysi" was showing on the two TV screens situated on both sides of the set. Patricia Javier was a guest on that show. "Teysi" happens to be the show before "Morning Girls". As everyone still had their eyes up on the screen, no one noticed that Korina Sanchez had already seated herself in her chair. She just walked in quietly and sat down on the chair.
Korina was quiet and she was reviewing some notes. It was still quiet. Suddenly, Kris Aquino walked in. The Audience Coordinator said out loud "Ladies and Gentlemen -- Kris Aquino and Korina Sanchez" and we all began to clap out loud. This shattered the silence and Korina and Kris broke into an off-air conversation. They were talking to each other in English, and talking about what's been happening to them lately.
Kris started to complain about "Teysi" going over-time. Finally "Teysi" went off and no longer than a minute, the Coordinator told us to raise our hands and to clap. We began to clap out loud "ENERGY!!" as they demanded from us. We clapped loud and "Morning Girls" began. They started off with a little bit of talking followed by introducing their audience. "From De La Salle University - Dasmariñas... the First Year AB Com and Broadjourn!".
Kris and Korina spun off into a small conversation about "Broadjourn" and what it was. They also asked why majority are girls up in the audience. ü "Perhaps woman are more meticulous then men."
After Kris and Korina reviewed a series of news and events, they finally began their topic. Guests were Willie, Andrew E, Cito, and William Martinez. The topic of the episode we were witnessing before us was "Bastusan" (rudeness). It was fun to watch and witness all of this happening. They broke into a commercial and we watched them plan their conversations or add in things they'd like to say off-air about the topic.
Eventually the show rolled on and it had to come to an end. The audience sang Kris the "Happy Birthday" song (in advance) and several pictures were taken by classmate Badge. After they got off the set, we slowly disassembled and walked out the back exit and proceeded outside.
We were all starving as we waited for the bus. After taking pictures, the bus came and drove us to a nearby block which had a McDo and HenLin place. We made our way into the fastest-serving McDo I've been to. There are like five people in front of me in line, and you can get your food in two minutes. While in Tanza or back in Waltermart Dasmariñas it would take you five minutes, with just two people in front of you. Cool. (There's a banner hanging out front: "This McDo: Serves you in 60 seconds or less!") I have a picture.
We had our food fast, and now we had no to place to eat. We went next door to Hen Lin across the street and found some COM1-2 in line, and we also found some AB Com Program Council members trying to scramble in dealing with their Freshmen. Ms. Mhasa Sigari was also there.
We spent 10 minutes trying to find a place to eat. We walked down the side of a fast highway to find the buses on a different block. We retreated to our bus and ate fast, all the while I took more pictures.
Moments later we returned to ABS-CBN and went inside. We were divided into three tour groups. I believe, once again, that JOU1-1 was in the front and first group... with some COM1-1 with us. We were first brought to the TV-PATROL studio. It was actually smaller... and like the new tour guide says... "Sets like these look around TEN times larger on TV than what you see here."
I touched the desk of TV Patrol and closed my eyes. Just one moment with the desk! I convinced Maycee to join me and engage in a technique to get the best pictures of these studios. The technique was to stay behind the rest of the tour group, and after we are told to leave... to spend one last minute taking pictures and looking around ourselves.
After TV-Patrol we went to the set of "Teysi" and I got a picture with Maycee and Ms. Sigari there. Next we proceeded to the set of GAME K N B?! It was bigger and it was okay compared to the shockingly smaller TV-PATROL set. We took several pictures. Maycee and I each have a solo picture standing right on the circular centerpiece of the Game K N B set. Awesome!
We went around places in the studio. Eventually we encountered Gretchen Baretto walking down the hall. The best one was having a picture with Mark Logan. He was more "free" than the other artists we saw. What was more cool was visiting the BRAIN of the studios, which was the Editing Facility. Several television screens inside of one room. Room by room, you'd see editing of tv-shows. There's one I saw with Piolo Pascual and some other actress on whatever show they're on... the screen was on pause, and someone was editing the scene.
I had a picture taken next to the ABS-CBN MOBILE NEWS ROOM. I mean, heck, that's our course and that's our primary objective of job occupation right? Broadjourn? Broadcasting + Journalism = Responsible Broadcast Journalism. Ngek ngek ngek... hahaha.
Eventually our tour had to come to an end and it concluded after visiting this new building they constructed. Lots of pictures were taken by the other sections as well. We returned to the bus and I replied to several txt msgs.
It was on this bus ride that a friend of mine admitted her problem and her disrupted feelings. Jezire, thank you for telling me yourself. Our friendship will never be affected in any way by this. I treasure my friends like I treasure my life. I will never let go of having you as my friend.
***
It took the whole bus ride for that thing to get settled and when it finished after Jezire got off the bus at SM Bacoor, I sat somewhere else and all my classmates look at me and put out their fists like they were interviewing me. I didn't know it was this understood by the whole class. Haha.
Teenah and I wanted to eat out before going on-campus. Ate Angge joined us. So the three of us ate out at Chowking in front of Waltermart Dasmariñas. After we ate out, we went to La Salle. We said bye to Ate Angge and Teenah wanted to eat some fresh Mangos. I joined her and we bought Mango's before heading off back into the quiet campus.
It was a very enjoyable trip. It was fun seeing what we're working for. To be inspired that AB Com and Broadjourn have an advantage in entering the world of media. One of the tour guides said: "You could be anyone in entering the media. But if you studied the Media in College, it's a whole different story. You'll develop where you want to go, and you will know how to get there with confidence."
Last Tuesday, February 11 2003 - Prep for the Parade
It was the eve of the Media Awareness Days. We spent most of Tuesday preparing for our Float for the parade. Well actually, not the float. We were scrambling to find a truck for our float and that was a lot of effort! The dancers practiced their performance, props were set up, and all sorts of rehearsals and approvals.
We still had NSTP-CWTSP and I interviewed Ate Rose (my assigned family) about the Importance of News to her and her neighbors' lifestyle. While I accompanied my classmate Joanna to her family, we found out her family moved away suddenly. Awww. So I tied up loose ends by telling Joanna to take Jhen's "abandoned" family. Jhen is "immune" from NSTP-CWTSP after her membership to Teatro Lasalliana. The family which was once enjoying conversations with Jhen, had spent so many weeks without anyone to interview them. Now they were happy once again when I introduced them to Joanna. ^_^
Last Wednesday, February 12 2003 - Media Awareness Begins
The meeting time was early morning and we gathered at a kubo. We didn't attend the mass, but instead started working on our float all morning long which was located in front of Hotel Nicole. The dancers also practiced and got into attire. It was later we found out that we were the only ones with a float. "HEY! They asked for a float... they GOT one. Sheesh." (i'm referring to the Communication Arts Program Council).
Well it was fun and it was Broadjourn Unity. We lifted our models up onto the float and the parade began. And just like last Monday during the Exposure Trip, Broadjourn was up front once again. (It's not like we marched straight to the front, but we were told to start the Parade.)
The new thing the whole class does is the "Standby - *APPLAUSE*" thing. Jeremy inspired the whole class to clap their hands and cheer really loud one or two seconds after we say "Standby". So, if you're in JOU1-1 and you hear someone say "Standby". (1) Lift your hands slightly and make your two hands parallel to each other like a frozen clap. (2) Wait a second. (3) Clap really loud and cheer. It was, of course, a thing from our exposure trip as the audience of "Morning Girls".
How many times did we clap our hands out loud?! Hahaha. I would describe my class during the parade as: "Up front and very VERY cheerful." We marched around, even in this cheesy parade... but it wasn't the cheesy parade. It was just being part of the class and marching together. All our hard work and efforts. While the sections behind us advertised their goods and products... we were advertising our course. A course still brand new, and only a few know about.
It was fun. Pictures were taken too by Ate Winnie of the HF. Thanks Ate Winnie for carrying my camera.
After the parade ended at JFH grounds, we spent an hour cooling off. CAD had so many sponsors. One of which was Kimberly-Clark and they gave each section a whole box of Kotex-napkin samples! It was crazy!! Everyone got two or three pieces. I saw a bag filled with pink kotex-napkin boxes. Crazy. But memorable.
Ate Angge would represent us in the CAD Singing Sensation while Emil, Jem, Natz (the Broadjourn Power of 3) + William, and two girls Bianca and Kate Q would represent us in the CAD Dance Competition.
The Singing Sensation went first, and I covered it. Ate Angge sang to "How Do I Live?" by Leann Rymes. She was amazing! We really felt the song and the emotion with it. However, there were these guys that also sang really good. I guess since the world accepts female singers more often... when you hear a guy sing really good... they have an added edge. We didn't win the Singing Sensation, but we should be proud that Ate Angge accepted to sing for us at the last minute and she did her very best just for us. ^_^
The Dance Competition began and COM2-1 went first. They did this unique Pyramid and Zombie thing. The choreography was excellent. Next was our section, JOU1-1. To the tune of "Next Episode". What Kate Q. and Bianca wore was very very daring. The Sexy Schoolgirl look. Add William the performer, and the Broadjourn Power of Three (Jem, Natz, and Emil)... and it was this awesome performance. COM1-3 performed (all girls) to "Gossip Folks" which is the latest song by Missy E. COM1-2 mixed several songs, and they had a mix of guys and girls. COM1-1 had no representative once again. COM2-3's "Noicemakers" (award-winning dance group) performed twice. They are sooooo good! The girl in the jersey is cute. She dances with feeling. Their moves aren't overdone sexy, they're balanced with slick moves. Cool. I just found out COM2-3 is the most active of the 2nd Year sections of AB Com and Broadjourn. (I wonder if JOU1-1 counts as the most active in First Year?)
COM2-2 though stole the show when these eight girls suited in Chinese-red and black pants danced to a song by Utada Hikaru. It had so many beats and they won eventually. However, personally I believe COM2-1 could've won (the Mummies) since COM2-2's Oriental thing didn't have facial expressions and their sounds weren't that clear. Oh well. Congrats still, it still looked nice.
I covered all the dances except the Noicemakers since they always had two or three cameramen and camerawomen working around the dance floor. They were blocking the way.
We didn't win anything, but the participation was just enough. We performed at least, and once again- it was a success.
Last Thursday, February 13 2003 - Meeting The Probe Team
Three things slammed into each other during the afternoon. The LAUNCH OF THE AB COM CHANNEL programs which we made last Semester. My participation in the NEWSCASTING COMPETITION. And the JOURNALISM SEMINAR with guests from THE PROBE TEAM on GMA-7.
I divided it this way. I worked as a Production Assistant under Kuya Jake Ofrasio for the AB Com Channel. I helped them set up the decorations at Square Canteen. After that, I fled to my dorm to wear my newscasting clothes (shimmering blue-violet polo courtesy Aldrich, yellow tie courtesy dorm mate in CBA- Mark). I then made it to the first hour of the Seminar. Che Che Lazaro couldn't attend as a guest, but the writers and co-workers of Che Che Lazaro made it and they showed us three documentaries that i-Witness / The Probe Team made. One of them was "MISTAH" and another was about slaughtered pigs and the usage of them.
I left 1/3 of the Seminar to join my classmate Endrea Fabian at JFH 201. She was dressing up and practicing. She would be representing JOU1-1 in the Filipino category and I would represent for the English category.
It took another 30 minutes, but eventually the competition began. We saw the other competitors. There were only three or four guys including myself. The others were all girls. The script they gave to us was on-the-spot but there would be an idiot board available. Lights and Cameras were all-set inside the Media Production Room (MPR). A television screen was available outside for friends and other competitors to see.
I was prepared and I was the 7th to compete. Endrea would be the 8th. I entered and confidently sat down (not to boast, but i just want to describe my feelings). I stared straight at the camera and asked for the Idiot Board to be positioned correctly. I was on in 5-4-3-... 2... (my heart stops) ... 1...
"Good afternoon.... (reads news piece about Iraq, Osama Bin Laden, terrorist alert) ... Stay Tuned for more news tonight. I'm George Putong of ABS-..(silence)..-AB Com TV".
Damn! I messed up the ending!! But no one noticed it! Hahaha. This is what I should have said at the end if I could repeat that moment.
"...Stay tuned for more news tonight. For the Broadjourn News Network, I'm George Putong of AB COM TV."
I've always wanted to slam my reporting to a close with such a bang. Oh well.
I returned to the CVR to finish the seminar. I had pictures taken and I was the one to start the autographing. After the newscasting thing, I suddenly had a surge of confidence. I don't know why... but the "Now or Never" influence by the Chair of AB Com really got into me.
I changed back in the dorm and prepared to go to Waltermart to develop film.
Last Friday, February 14 2003 - The Valentine on my Mind
The spirit of the Media Awareness Days simmered lower to allow BioSci and Reed2 to continue. Elemstat and my classmates' Pagbasa at Pagsulat were cancelled for the day. It was Valentine's Day and chocolates, cards, and flowers were being exchanged. I received a Valentine's Heartshaped greeting from Shiela. I also received something from Jezire, three "Lush" chocolates and a quote written on another heartshaped card. I was struck by the quote- thanks Jezire.
In BioSci, all Dr. Fonollera did was check our test papers and our Self-tests found in our Biological Sciences Compendium book. Afterwards we ate at Jollybee at Waltermart Dasmariñas. They were still renovating half the place, Greenich disappeared behind a temporary construction wall.
During Reed2, it was fun to have another lecture under Mrs. Planas. She's such an inspiring professor. We received more "free handouts" (from her off-campus Photocopy shop: "Yahweh's Cave") and it was called "An Interview with God".
We could relate since it was written in first-person form. The person was a "new journalist" and was interviewing God. Mrs. Planas asked my classmates which of God's answers touched them the most.
I had something to recite, but I didn't want to. It was too personal and my classmates would spend ages trying to guess what this problem really is. The answer I selected went something like this: "Learn that life has decisions. Do not turn yourself down by envy and jealousy of another."
I admitted that "jealousy" and "envy" wearn't my targets inside that answer. The deadly sin that affects me the most now would be SLOTH. I destroyed "jealousy/envy" in 4th Year High School after I ruined my friendship with someone.
The quote just had a certain specialty to it. The way it was constructed. The way the words connected hit me directly to the problem I've recently had. The main point I took from this answer was "Learn that life has decisions" and I explained it as "WE decide if we want to feel bad or good. WE decide if we will BE HAPPY without jealousy and envy."
The professor and the rest of the class looked at me, trying to understand every word coming out of my mouth. Mrs. Planas explained it in a simpler way to the class "what she thought" she had understood from my recitation. However, no one got the problem. I'd like to keep it that way for now.
After class, classmates dissolved away into the kubos and into jeepnees headed for home. I went to Lake Park to assist the JOU1-1 Officers who were tasked to help in the FASHION EXPOSURE at that location. Sadly, this was the only event of MAD that JOU1-1 has no influence in. We've done the PARADE, we've done the SINGING COMPETITION, and we've done the DANCE COMPETITION. We also had attended a SEMINAR with writers of THE PROBE TEAM.
I grew a little depressed. Read about the memorable "Valentine's Night 2003" by clicking here.
Last Saturday, February 15 2003 - Researching at the Library
Saturday began and it was Basil and Me rushing to ERH for class. Everyone else didn't wake up yet since they were all so tired. Lance, for instance, got home at 6 o'clock in the morning. He dropped Joyce back in Noveleta. He should plan things more. The rest of the guys of the "Mega Group Date" returned home and were just so tired.
Basil and I spoke to Ms. Encabo, whom I thought would be angry with us for being late once again and for not finishing our research. Instead, she told us that we would be the only ones considered PRESENT together with the two Chinese/Korean students. And that we were to seriously conduct our research and have at least something to submit for our next meeting.
So it was done. I spent the rest of the morning just eating with Basil at La Buena and then meeting Eric and Danielle at CTH 105. The two of them were taking their make-up quiz in ElemStat.
Eric and I then dropped Danielle to the PALAD SEMINAR (Heraldo Filipino's Literary Digest - Seminar) which she made it to. Congratz! Afterwards, we headed for the Library to research on the 4 articles we both each have to work on.
We went around the library and after going in circles and passing by Ate Florence (Kate's older sister) and Ate Bonnie (Bonnie Padua of HF), we ended up at what I like to call "the tower".
The 4th floor of the Aklatan Emilio Aguinaldo! And it goes up to the 5th floor, the highest point of the EAST Campus. We didn't go there but we entered the 4th Floor which was the "Archives" level. It's the size of one very large room. But the staircase is in the middle. A giant balcony is in front of it but the door was locked. A lady, looking very bored, finally had company when we asked her to help us find back-issues of the La Salleño. I have to research the LS of 1993 and 1996 while Eric has to research the LS of 1994 adn 1997. Then both of us have a specialty article. Mine is "Lasalleño: Pop culture of the Decade" while Eric's is: "Lasalleño: People of the Decade". Then both of us have a collaboration article entitled "Lasalleño: The First Ten Years".
A total of 7 articles. But divided into his space and my space, it's still 3 1/2 to 4 whole articles to make and submit on that day or for next week.
My pick up arrived and I went back to the dorms and left. It was one whole week of experiencing the Media. At no time did I lose the energy to keep on going. My love for the media, to study it... to work with it... kept me going. I finally found something I'm not tired to work with. From ABS-CBN last Monday to the Newscasting Competition on Thursday, from the Parade last Wednesday to the article researching on Saturday... it was one great week.
Oh and by the way--- Mr. Harold Palad, our adviser in JOU1-1, congratulated me last Friday afternoon in front of La Buena when we passed by. According to him, even if there's one winner in the Newscasting Competition which was a 4th Year AB Com guy. He told me that I placed "third". ^_^ AWESOME!!!
Stay tuned for more news tonight! For the Broadjourn News Network... I'm George Putong of AB COM TV. *grin-smile*
Sunday, February 09, 2003
ALL FOR THE LOVE OF MEDIA
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #31
"Expose me. Make me aware."
ALL this week, we'll be exposed to a lot of media! It all begins on Monday morning when we go to ABS-CBN studios to see for ourselves how production is done on today's top shows in the country. It's an Exposure Trip that all Freshmen Year students of AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism must go on.
Tuesday is a practice day for our involvement in the Parade Competition. If we successfully pull through with our plans, we will be competing not only the other sections of the First Year AB Com department, but also all the talented upperclassmen. It'll be one hell of a challenge. Teenah already has a good concept in her head and she told me about it. It all sounds nice, just wish we had a little more time.
But one thing I will quote Teenah (our Class President) for is when she said in Pilipino "I'm amused by our classmates. We don't seem thrilled to practice early. But when it comes to cramming, that's when the magic comes out."
I guess I believe her. How many times have we had those pressuring moments of production and practice. And in the end, even if it feels half-finished or not our best, it comes out even better. Flashback of our "Buwan ng Wika" performance in which we reenacted the Burnhams tragedy last August 2002 to our "Kasaysayan at Kultura" performance in which we portrayed the Filipino spirit and courage during the Japanese occupation. Both performances were well over passing for a Freshmen Year class in my opinion.
Of course there's our staged "Variety Show" in Manuellaville for Theater-expert and UP-student Mr. Larry Tolentino. It was awesome.
However, not too much of that "magic" has appeared in this semester. It's been hectic in our studies lately. I just want to revive those feelings of backstage panic and those feelings after the show.
That's on Wednesday. Then for the AB Com Channel, I join Joanna of HF as a Production Assistant (PA) as we showcase our shows at Square Canteen. Then there's this Journalism seminar that all Broadjourn students must attend. It's all on Wednesday.
On Thursday and Friday, hopefully we'll be able to participate and support the Media Awareness Days. Then of course the whole week (if not just the early part of the week) will be Layout for the Broadsheet release of the 5th HF issue this year.
This is one fun week, i just hope nothing stupid and on-the-spot critical happens.
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #31
"Expose me. Make me aware."
ALL this week, we'll be exposed to a lot of media! It all begins on Monday morning when we go to ABS-CBN studios to see for ourselves how production is done on today's top shows in the country. It's an Exposure Trip that all Freshmen Year students of AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism must go on.
Tuesday is a practice day for our involvement in the Parade Competition. If we successfully pull through with our plans, we will be competing not only the other sections of the First Year AB Com department, but also all the talented upperclassmen. It'll be one hell of a challenge. Teenah already has a good concept in her head and she told me about it. It all sounds nice, just wish we had a little more time.
But one thing I will quote Teenah (our Class President) for is when she said in Pilipino "I'm amused by our classmates. We don't seem thrilled to practice early. But when it comes to cramming, that's when the magic comes out."
I guess I believe her. How many times have we had those pressuring moments of production and practice. And in the end, even if it feels half-finished or not our best, it comes out even better. Flashback of our "Buwan ng Wika" performance in which we reenacted the Burnhams tragedy last August 2002 to our "Kasaysayan at Kultura" performance in which we portrayed the Filipino spirit and courage during the Japanese occupation. Both performances were well over passing for a Freshmen Year class in my opinion.
Of course there's our staged "Variety Show" in Manuellaville for Theater-expert and UP-student Mr. Larry Tolentino. It was awesome.
However, not too much of that "magic" has appeared in this semester. It's been hectic in our studies lately. I just want to revive those feelings of backstage panic and those feelings after the show.
That's on Wednesday. Then for the AB Com Channel, I join Joanna of HF as a Production Assistant (PA) as we showcase our shows at Square Canteen. Then there's this Journalism seminar that all Broadjourn students must attend. It's all on Wednesday.
On Thursday and Friday, hopefully we'll be able to participate and support the Media Awareness Days. Then of course the whole week (if not just the early part of the week) will be Layout for the Broadsheet release of the 5th HF issue this year.
This is one fun week, i just hope nothing stupid and on-the-spot critical happens.
ALDRICH'S BIG CRIB
...and on missing the 1st Atheneum Homecoming
HIS house is huge! It's like a Palace! I hate to just splatter this news into my blog. But I was just overwhelmed at the architecture of his house in General Trias.
After feeling a bit guilty on not going to the 1st Atheneum Homecoming, I couldn't stay trapped inside my room in Tanza. I had already returned on Friday night and not Saturday afternoon, meaning I think this was the chance to use that extra night and go somewhere.
Even Ekai told me to go somewhere after she found out about this sudden dilemma.
I found myself being dropped by our driver to Aldrich's house. I only see it at night and only the orange gate. It's on the road that leads into the General Trias bayan. Anyways, I waited a while and then I met his cousin Jamie, who's a 3rd Year HS student at St. Francis in General Trias.
I went inside and then he showed me around. They finished constructing a new pool. Basically it's this vast lot that they built a resort on. The biggest house was his house, but there were like three to four other smaller houses on different sides and distances.
We stayed over at what he called "the place he stays at". It was this cabin-like place off to the side and was quite distant from the other houses and places. I put my bag down and I joined him when he ate with his cousin Jaime.
Next thing I knew he was txting Rona, and I was looking up at the crescent moon and the starry sky right over the dim swimming pool. It felt like some scene you'd find in a horror movie when teenagers have access to so much luxury... and than some killer would come out.
No killer came out, but a dog on the 2nd floor of a locked terrace was enough to be frightened. We quietly evacuated as Jaime didn't feel comfortable with all the darkness and that mysterious dog on a locked terrace. Aldrich then gave me a tour of his house and I met his grandparents. Each room of his house had stairs leading up to another room. It was well-designed and that's what I admired about the house the most.
We ended up in his cabin. He was txting Rona and Mik, while I was txting Joel. Basically we just waited for his mom to arrive from Guam. The last time Aldrich saw his mom was last October.
Minutes of talking became minutes of silence. The night rolled in completely and it was past midnight when we heard the sound of the many dogs barking across the lot. It was a sign that someone was there, most likely his mom from the airport.
Aldrich, sleepy, went outside to check. He stormed back into the air conditioned room telling me not only his mom were here, but also all his siblings. His two younger sisters and his younger brother. I was happy to see his siblings and at the same time I was so sleepy.
For that time, all my broadjourn-instincts just fell silent. I didn't want to go outside of the cabin. I was shy.
Eventually his siblings peeked into the air conditioned room.
Another two hours passed and it was well around 2 o'clock. A few "Balikbayan boxes" later and I found myself helping Aldrich stock a load of supplies he had just received from Guam into cabinets and into different boxes for his dorm.
We fell asleep.
I woke up and finally, for the first time, I could see his place in broad daylight. When I woke up, it felt like I was in a cabin in some kind of distant province. I was almost imagining leaving the air conditioned room to see two or three classmates outside, in hiking gear, ready to set out.
I walked out, yes. And saw sunshine on all the trees outside. Aldrich's siblings where already running about and Aldrich woke up moments after I stood up. He went to his mom while I stayed "confined" to the cabin. I sorted out my things and changed back into civilian clothes from my pajamas.
I found out my mom couldn't find any driver to pick me up from General Trias (i was lazy to commute). Then I forgot that Aldrich could drive. Since he was returning to his dorm back in La Salle to clean it up, I asked if he could just drop me to my house in the neighboring town. üüü
I greeted his Lola a Happy Birthday, and then made my way to the car that was parked on the side. It wouldn't start so his Lola made called a few names, and it was like on a FORMULA ONE racing track... people from everywhere came to work on the car. It was up and running in no time.
It was the first time I was riding with someone from my College Life as the driver of the vehicle. I told him I'd be sitting in the "Passenger Seat" (like that Stephen Speaks song, hahaha). Aldrich dropped me off at my house and he headed off to DLSU-D to clean up his dorm.
The trip was great. Although it was quite different, I'm glad I went and experienced where he lives at. The place he gots is very comfortable. The architecture of his family's house is just amazing. Nice place Aldrich!
...and on missing the 1st Atheneum Homecoming
HIS house is huge! It's like a Palace! I hate to just splatter this news into my blog. But I was just overwhelmed at the architecture of his house in General Trias.
After feeling a bit guilty on not going to the 1st Atheneum Homecoming, I couldn't stay trapped inside my room in Tanza. I had already returned on Friday night and not Saturday afternoon, meaning I think this was the chance to use that extra night and go somewhere.
Even Ekai told me to go somewhere after she found out about this sudden dilemma.
I found myself being dropped by our driver to Aldrich's house. I only see it at night and only the orange gate. It's on the road that leads into the General Trias bayan. Anyways, I waited a while and then I met his cousin Jamie, who's a 3rd Year HS student at St. Francis in General Trias.
I went inside and then he showed me around. They finished constructing a new pool. Basically it's this vast lot that they built a resort on. The biggest house was his house, but there were like three to four other smaller houses on different sides and distances.
We stayed over at what he called "the place he stays at". It was this cabin-like place off to the side and was quite distant from the other houses and places. I put my bag down and I joined him when he ate with his cousin Jaime.
Next thing I knew he was txting Rona, and I was looking up at the crescent moon and the starry sky right over the dim swimming pool. It felt like some scene you'd find in a horror movie when teenagers have access to so much luxury... and than some killer would come out.
No killer came out, but a dog on the 2nd floor of a locked terrace was enough to be frightened. We quietly evacuated as Jaime didn't feel comfortable with all the darkness and that mysterious dog on a locked terrace. Aldrich then gave me a tour of his house and I met his grandparents. Each room of his house had stairs leading up to another room. It was well-designed and that's what I admired about the house the most.
We ended up in his cabin. He was txting Rona and Mik, while I was txting Joel. Basically we just waited for his mom to arrive from Guam. The last time Aldrich saw his mom was last October.
Minutes of talking became minutes of silence. The night rolled in completely and it was past midnight when we heard the sound of the many dogs barking across the lot. It was a sign that someone was there, most likely his mom from the airport.
Aldrich, sleepy, went outside to check. He stormed back into the air conditioned room telling me not only his mom were here, but also all his siblings. His two younger sisters and his younger brother. I was happy to see his siblings and at the same time I was so sleepy.
For that time, all my broadjourn-instincts just fell silent. I didn't want to go outside of the cabin. I was shy.
Eventually his siblings peeked into the air conditioned room.
Another two hours passed and it was well around 2 o'clock. A few "Balikbayan boxes" later and I found myself helping Aldrich stock a load of supplies he had just received from Guam into cabinets and into different boxes for his dorm.
We fell asleep.
I woke up and finally, for the first time, I could see his place in broad daylight. When I woke up, it felt like I was in a cabin in some kind of distant province. I was almost imagining leaving the air conditioned room to see two or three classmates outside, in hiking gear, ready to set out.
I walked out, yes. And saw sunshine on all the trees outside. Aldrich's siblings where already running about and Aldrich woke up moments after I stood up. He went to his mom while I stayed "confined" to the cabin. I sorted out my things and changed back into civilian clothes from my pajamas.
I found out my mom couldn't find any driver to pick me up from General Trias (i was lazy to commute). Then I forgot that Aldrich could drive. Since he was returning to his dorm back in La Salle to clean it up, I asked if he could just drop me to my house in the neighboring town. üüü
I greeted his Lola a Happy Birthday, and then made my way to the car that was parked on the side. It wouldn't start so his Lola made called a few names, and it was like on a FORMULA ONE racing track... people from everywhere came to work on the car. It was up and running in no time.
It was the first time I was riding with someone from my College Life as the driver of the vehicle. I told him I'd be sitting in the "Passenger Seat" (like that Stephen Speaks song, hahaha). Aldrich dropped me off at my house and he headed off to DLSU-D to clean up his dorm.
The trip was great. Although it was quite different, I'm glad I went and experienced where he lives at. The place he gots is very comfortable. The architecture of his family's house is just amazing. Nice place Aldrich!
Friday, February 07, 2003
GONNA GET THROUGH THIS
The Damage Report - End of Week #30
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"I survived the exams..."
The 2nd Semester Midterm examinations have ended. One last big step to bring us onto the platform entitled "Finals". I could already feel the drive of the finals, leaving a trail of dust on the Prelim and Midterm. Already so much planned for next week, and of course, it is the last term for a number of classmates who will be shifting or in other and more cases- transfering.
The past week has been crunch time in terms of studying. In some subjects, panic and mayham turned out to be false emotions for such an easy test. On the other hand, other subjects that were panic and mayham turned out to be more true to be all emotional about. A week of swirls and finishing things. Projects, interviews, and loads of reviewing. Read on.
Sunday Night, February 2 - The Ring is Complete
I finally completed watching the compelling and spine-tingling sensation of the "Ring" trilogy. I arrived in the dormitory at the record latest time ever (past 10pm) and found out a host of dorm mates kept their word that they will not watch "Ring 2" in my room until I arrive. I thanked them and no longer than five minutes, we started the sequel to "Ring".
Ring 2 is perhaps the most nakakagulat or most surprising one. Surprises found throughout the movie would keep you in the freaky mood compared to Ring which is a horror-mystery movie that builds up until the very end. In Ring 2, we witness the story of this videotape through the perspective of another young woman, not Asakawa (the journalist woman) of Ring.
Monday, February 3 - The 5,000-numbered Queue
I found myself sleeping over General Chemistry and missing a 45-item quiz! I heard it was open-notes. Missing this quiz made my Midterm examination in Chemistry a bit heavier. I decided to take advantage of an absent and head straight for the Admin to pay my tuition fee. I was planning to go there
Tuesday, February 4 - An Expensive Dinner
First of all, a Happy Birthday to Candy Paredes (High School friend, G7).
Anyways, it was the first day of the exams. Sociology, English, and then Intensive. A day set on "Easy" mode. Nothing difficult actually. Just the only day for me to have three exams within one day.
In the evening Aldrich invited me to join him and Raymond at Superspeed. The Bar, Billiards, and Restaurant. Last time I went there, I did drink. But only one bottle of San Mig Light. It was the first time I drank in College. But this time, I dragged dormmate Alex to accompany me to join Aldrich and his classmate Raymond. We all met at 7-11 and we arrived. Alex and I didn't know how to play Billiards that well, so we just sat a nearby table and ordered food. Expensive I might want to add! P35 pesos for a glass of Iced Tea! I laughed it all off and told Alex that "minsan lang to naman."
Aldrich and Raymond played Billiards in the not-so-crowded Speed. We ate around 8 o'clock in the evening. Fully air conditioned, that slight scent of liquor, beer, a bit of smoke, and just air condition. You know the ambiance of bars and clubs. Well, it was just like that. We didn't drink, I want to clarify that!
But we did get drunk on Iced Tea. I mean, 35 pesos. In delicious Fiat it would be P12 for a tall glass. It's nearly 3 times that amount in Speed. We commuted to the dorms and arrived exactly on the dot of curfew time. I started to review for Reed and type up my article about "Temptation" and which of the deadly sins I fell mostly on. Mine was SLOTH.
Wednesday, February 5 - The Useless Worry
After being inspired by my own essay (it made me bring out my problem and it made me place it on paper), I decided to break the habit of waking up late and just staring at the ceiling (50% tired, 50% absolute sloth). I jumped out of bed almost three hours before the exam, took a nice refreshing shower, and got suited up. I walked outside of my room to get a breath of the morning air. It was fresh. I was bathe in the morning light as well... for "extra energy" I said to myself.
Onwards into Reed, and I submitted my essay. Later on in Statistics, all my worry and all my panic dissolved with a multiple choice examination. And in statistics? It's just a series of trial and errors. I'm not saying it was too easy for me to perfect, but I'm just saying I believe my worries of absolute failure were a bit too exaggerated.
Afterwards, we broke up into clusters. I had gone to the ROTC building to get a picture of Sir Rommel Rodriguez, to complete my article. I believe if I get his picture, this might be my most favorite composed article for the Heraldo Filipino. It was my interview with him a few weeks back that inspired me to write up a good article. Hopefully, just hopefully, it gets published together with his picture.
But he wasn't there. And I was told to return the next day.
In the evening, it was very quiet. I had the opportunity to review for the dreary examinations which lurked on Thursday. Biological Science and General Chemistry. Chem isn't so difficult, but missing the last session did scramble coverage and notes out of my head and in all directions.
I stared at my BioSci book for hours. I couldn't get anything into my head. It was then I realized that the more I enter Broadjourn as my major, the less interesting off-topic subjects such as BioSci become. BioSci, and the other sciences... all energy, input, and output with the sciences has decreased to give way for more storage space for info from studying the Media.
I stayed with Aldrich in Francis' room as he typed up an 8-page assignment in his Philosophy class. If I stayed in my room, I would have fallen asleep instantly.
Thursday, February 6 - With Brains on the Dirty Floor
The worse day of the exams. Actually, the only bad day of the exams. I enjoyed answering Sociology, English 100 and 101, Reed, even Statistics. But now paved in the devastating BioSci and Chemistry. And for my classmates, the weight was dramatically heavier with a very difficult Filipino exam according to them.
Anyways, that's how the week went. I didn't like BioSci, in fact I hate it now. And in Chemistry, although our Professor is quite nice, I didn't like how the exam focused on moles and theoretical yield in which was the main topic he discussed on the session I missed last Monday due to paying the tuition fee.
The night came and I couldn't decide on going home or not. I decided to stay for Friday since I still had so many things to do. Such as polish two articles (get the meaning of LAKAS in my FA article and retrieve a picture of Sir Rommel's Awarding with President Macapagal for my first ROTC-related article). Then there's the Career Pathing stuff, as well as other things I need to deal with.
Friday, February 7 - Slamming the Midterms to a close
I closed up the Midterms as my dorm mates and other friends still had their exams to do. I went "around the world" a couple of times to try again and retrieve a picture of Sir Rommel's awarding, to find the meaning of LAKAS, to interview 5 people for my Career Pathing assignment, etc.
Thank God Teenah accompanied me!
I left in the evening. I left Aldrich, Lance, and the rest of them for our Saturday class. I just wanted to take one absent in my Foreign Filipino class. I just wanted to go home.
A very tiring week. But I'm glad I got the most of it done. I'm still disappointed once again in my performance in BioSci and Chemistry. But hopefully as the Finals' roll in, I can be able to improve greatly. I need to, if I want to pass. Woah, what a week.
The Damage Report - End of Week #30
NOTE: A Weekly Summary of events and happenings I've experienced at La Salle.
"I survived the exams..."
The 2nd Semester Midterm examinations have ended. One last big step to bring us onto the platform entitled "Finals". I could already feel the drive of the finals, leaving a trail of dust on the Prelim and Midterm. Already so much planned for next week, and of course, it is the last term for a number of classmates who will be shifting or in other and more cases- transfering.
The past week has been crunch time in terms of studying. In some subjects, panic and mayham turned out to be false emotions for such an easy test. On the other hand, other subjects that were panic and mayham turned out to be more true to be all emotional about. A week of swirls and finishing things. Projects, interviews, and loads of reviewing. Read on.
Sunday Night, February 2 - The Ring is Complete
I finally completed watching the compelling and spine-tingling sensation of the "Ring" trilogy. I arrived in the dormitory at the record latest time ever (past 10pm) and found out a host of dorm mates kept their word that they will not watch "Ring 2" in my room until I arrive. I thanked them and no longer than five minutes, we started the sequel to "Ring".
Ring 2 is perhaps the most nakakagulat or most surprising one. Surprises found throughout the movie would keep you in the freaky mood compared to Ring which is a horror-mystery movie that builds up until the very end. In Ring 2, we witness the story of this videotape through the perspective of another young woman, not Asakawa (the journalist woman) of Ring.
Monday, February 3 - The 5,000-numbered Queue
I found myself sleeping over General Chemistry and missing a 45-item quiz! I heard it was open-notes. Missing this quiz made my Midterm examination in Chemistry a bit heavier. I decided to take advantage of an absent and head straight for the Admin to pay my tuition fee. I was planning to go there
Tuesday, February 4 - An Expensive Dinner
First of all, a Happy Birthday to Candy Paredes (High School friend, G7).
Anyways, it was the first day of the exams. Sociology, English, and then Intensive. A day set on "Easy" mode. Nothing difficult actually. Just the only day for me to have three exams within one day.
In the evening Aldrich invited me to join him and Raymond at Superspeed. The Bar, Billiards, and Restaurant. Last time I went there, I did drink. But only one bottle of San Mig Light. It was the first time I drank in College. But this time, I dragged dormmate Alex to accompany me to join Aldrich and his classmate Raymond. We all met at 7-11 and we arrived. Alex and I didn't know how to play Billiards that well, so we just sat a nearby table and ordered food. Expensive I might want to add! P35 pesos for a glass of Iced Tea! I laughed it all off and told Alex that "minsan lang to naman."
Aldrich and Raymond played Billiards in the not-so-crowded Speed. We ate around 8 o'clock in the evening. Fully air conditioned, that slight scent of liquor, beer, a bit of smoke, and just air condition. You know the ambiance of bars and clubs. Well, it was just like that. We didn't drink, I want to clarify that!
But we did get drunk on Iced Tea. I mean, 35 pesos. In delicious Fiat it would be P12 for a tall glass. It's nearly 3 times that amount in Speed. We commuted to the dorms and arrived exactly on the dot of curfew time. I started to review for Reed and type up my article about "Temptation" and which of the deadly sins I fell mostly on. Mine was SLOTH.
Wednesday, February 5 - The Useless Worry
After being inspired by my own essay (it made me bring out my problem and it made me place it on paper), I decided to break the habit of waking up late and just staring at the ceiling (50% tired, 50% absolute sloth). I jumped out of bed almost three hours before the exam, took a nice refreshing shower, and got suited up. I walked outside of my room to get a breath of the morning air. It was fresh. I was bathe in the morning light as well... for "extra energy" I said to myself.
Onwards into Reed, and I submitted my essay. Later on in Statistics, all my worry and all my panic dissolved with a multiple choice examination. And in statistics? It's just a series of trial and errors. I'm not saying it was too easy for me to perfect, but I'm just saying I believe my worries of absolute failure were a bit too exaggerated.
Afterwards, we broke up into clusters. I had gone to the ROTC building to get a picture of Sir Rommel Rodriguez, to complete my article. I believe if I get his picture, this might be my most favorite composed article for the Heraldo Filipino. It was my interview with him a few weeks back that inspired me to write up a good article. Hopefully, just hopefully, it gets published together with his picture.
But he wasn't there. And I was told to return the next day.
In the evening, it was very quiet. I had the opportunity to review for the dreary examinations which lurked on Thursday. Biological Science and General Chemistry. Chem isn't so difficult, but missing the last session did scramble coverage and notes out of my head and in all directions.
I stared at my BioSci book for hours. I couldn't get anything into my head. It was then I realized that the more I enter Broadjourn as my major, the less interesting off-topic subjects such as BioSci become. BioSci, and the other sciences... all energy, input, and output with the sciences has decreased to give way for more storage space for info from studying the Media.
I stayed with Aldrich in Francis' room as he typed up an 8-page assignment in his Philosophy class. If I stayed in my room, I would have fallen asleep instantly.
Thursday, February 6 - With Brains on the Dirty Floor
The worse day of the exams. Actually, the only bad day of the exams. I enjoyed answering Sociology, English 100 and 101, Reed, even Statistics. But now paved in the devastating BioSci and Chemistry. And for my classmates, the weight was dramatically heavier with a very difficult Filipino exam according to them.
Anyways, that's how the week went. I didn't like BioSci, in fact I hate it now. And in Chemistry, although our Professor is quite nice, I didn't like how the exam focused on moles and theoretical yield in which was the main topic he discussed on the session I missed last Monday due to paying the tuition fee.
The night came and I couldn't decide on going home or not. I decided to stay for Friday since I still had so many things to do. Such as polish two articles (get the meaning of LAKAS in my FA article and retrieve a picture of Sir Rommel's Awarding with President Macapagal for my first ROTC-related article). Then there's the Career Pathing stuff, as well as other things I need to deal with.
Friday, February 7 - Slamming the Midterms to a close
I closed up the Midterms as my dorm mates and other friends still had their exams to do. I went "around the world" a couple of times to try again and retrieve a picture of Sir Rommel's awarding, to find the meaning of LAKAS, to interview 5 people for my Career Pathing assignment, etc.
Thank God Teenah accompanied me!
I left in the evening. I left Aldrich, Lance, and the rest of them for our Saturday class. I just wanted to take one absent in my Foreign Filipino class. I just wanted to go home.
A very tiring week. But I'm glad I got the most of it done. I'm still disappointed once again in my performance in BioSci and Chemistry. But hopefully as the Finals' roll in, I can be able to improve greatly. I need to, if I want to pass. Woah, what a week.
Sunday, February 02, 2003
ON THE WINGS OF LIFE
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #30
"I'm waiting for the rain!"
The ceiling in our house, for the first time since the house was built back in 1999, is complete! It hasn't been painted, and there's no chandalier or classy lighting attached to it yet, but the ugly roofing and those huge beams of wood that I've had to live looking at all throughout High School has now been covered! And believe it or not, I'm actually waiting for it to rain. Because when it rained before, everything outside of the bedrooms would sound like a giant television with no signal... you know, that static sound!
It's cloudy this Sunday afternoon and there's just loads to do. HF articles, five to name of, that I signed up to submit for the LSX still disturb me. I want to do them so badly, but I just don't know how to start the articles. I'm left blank, needing a bit of inspiration.
There's also that assignment in Comm Arts that has dragged it's way clawing my back like crazy. A written composition essay to send to our professor's e-mail address. Plus, some outline thing.
And of course, there's the reviewing. I'm going to handle it on-the-spot reviewing this week since the Midterms has basically been on-the-spot. What I mean is, organize notes on my desk corresponding to the day and date of the examination this week (Tuesday to Friday).
I couldn't go to Silang today for their Fiesta. Ara invited me and I really want to go. But going would reduce my time in the house down to 20 hours! That's less than a day! I move back into the house on Saturday afternoons, and then I return to La Salle and then to Silang on Sunday morning?! With all the articles I have to work on, assignments to work on and "polish", and all the reviewing... washing and folding of clothes... of course Church in a few minutes... packing up... shopping for supplies.... ahhhhhh!
I'm stressed out right now. I just hope that my priorities are strict the moment I arrive in my dormitory this evening. My priority to organize notes and begin a stable series of reviewing for the exams this week. And no more crazy addiction. Maybe I could play [Emperor] after I study, but hopefully I don't sleep any later than 1 o'clock in the morning.
And one more thing to bring up. A lot of prayer as this weekend comes to a close. For the NASA space shuttle disaster, I have a picture of the seven who tragically perished as they slammed into our atmosphere, as my desktop wallpaper. For the Crisis of War in Iraq (which in turn might spill into the Middle East) and the possible rising tension with North Korea (they are going Nuclear)... I dedicate this month and the next few weeks to "praying for peace". The changes which you can note made to this blog's banner.
Here's to a week of exams... and may God bless us all.
Title in review: "On the wings of life", just like to the tune of "On the wings of love.". Basically self-explanatory. ^_^
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Start of Week #30
"I'm waiting for the rain!"
The ceiling in our house, for the first time since the house was built back in 1999, is complete! It hasn't been painted, and there's no chandalier or classy lighting attached to it yet, but the ugly roofing and those huge beams of wood that I've had to live looking at all throughout High School has now been covered! And believe it or not, I'm actually waiting for it to rain. Because when it rained before, everything outside of the bedrooms would sound like a giant television with no signal... you know, that static sound!
It's cloudy this Sunday afternoon and there's just loads to do. HF articles, five to name of, that I signed up to submit for the LSX still disturb me. I want to do them so badly, but I just don't know how to start the articles. I'm left blank, needing a bit of inspiration.
There's also that assignment in Comm Arts that has dragged it's way clawing my back like crazy. A written composition essay to send to our professor's e-mail address. Plus, some outline thing.
And of course, there's the reviewing. I'm going to handle it on-the-spot reviewing this week since the Midterms has basically been on-the-spot. What I mean is, organize notes on my desk corresponding to the day and date of the examination this week (Tuesday to Friday).
I couldn't go to Silang today for their Fiesta. Ara invited me and I really want to go. But going would reduce my time in the house down to 20 hours! That's less than a day! I move back into the house on Saturday afternoons, and then I return to La Salle and then to Silang on Sunday morning?! With all the articles I have to work on, assignments to work on and "polish", and all the reviewing... washing and folding of clothes... of course Church in a few minutes... packing up... shopping for supplies.... ahhhhhh!
I'm stressed out right now. I just hope that my priorities are strict the moment I arrive in my dormitory this evening. My priority to organize notes and begin a stable series of reviewing for the exams this week. And no more crazy addiction. Maybe I could play [Emperor] after I study, but hopefully I don't sleep any later than 1 o'clock in the morning.
And one more thing to bring up. A lot of prayer as this weekend comes to a close. For the NASA space shuttle disaster, I have a picture of the seven who tragically perished as they slammed into our atmosphere, as my desktop wallpaper. For the Crisis of War in Iraq (which in turn might spill into the Middle East) and the possible rising tension with North Korea (they are going Nuclear)... I dedicate this month and the next few weeks to "praying for peace". The changes which you can note made to this blog's banner.
Here's to a week of exams... and may God bless us all.
Title in review: "On the wings of life", just like to the tune of "On the wings of love.". Basically self-explanatory. ^_^
My thoughts on the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy
First of all, the NASA Control Room or Center are just sitting in their chairs. I can't tell if they are over disciplined by researching for what went wrong OR if they're just too shocked to make any big movements. The most serious NASA tragedy since the 1986 Challenger explosion has just happened while I was watching Face/Off on Studio 23 Presents earlier this evening. I was all into the thrilling action scenes when suddenly my eyes saw on the Yahoo! Front Page that a Space Shuttle had crashed. I clicked on the article and it was made "6 minutes ago". I instantly grabbed the remote and switched from Studio 23 to CNN.
Breaking News. NASA Space Shuttle Columbia crashes in north central Texas. Same footage of some white thing in the air bursting into three different parts and streaming across the early morning sky over Texas.
I paused in shock and felt that same feeling when Bryan was with me in my room on the evening of September 11th. That feeling of shock and that urge to find out more about it.
Anyways, it is a tragic thing for that Israeli guy Llan Ramon. The first Israeli in space, tragically dies in a NASA landing. 16 days of successful Scientific experiments for a few middle schools and a bunch of other space organizations across the world. Next event: Seven perish as they are slammed into Earth's atmosphere at six times the speed of sound. Ouch.
They say it's the shuttle which holds the title of being the oldest shuttle in NASA's shuttle program fleet. 22 years old, that thing only had less than 30 missions up into orbit. When according to what I've heard, they're designed to withstand a hundred missions into orbit. Is it age? Is it terrorism? Or something else? An accident?
Well whatever it is, hats down as we listen to T.A.P.S., lower the flags of the United States and Israel.
First of all, the NASA Control Room or Center are just sitting in their chairs. I can't tell if they are over disciplined by researching for what went wrong OR if they're just too shocked to make any big movements. The most serious NASA tragedy since the 1986 Challenger explosion has just happened while I was watching Face/Off on Studio 23 Presents earlier this evening. I was all into the thrilling action scenes when suddenly my eyes saw on the Yahoo! Front Page that a Space Shuttle had crashed. I clicked on the article and it was made "6 minutes ago". I instantly grabbed the remote and switched from Studio 23 to CNN.
Breaking News. NASA Space Shuttle Columbia crashes in north central Texas. Same footage of some white thing in the air bursting into three different parts and streaming across the early morning sky over Texas.
I paused in shock and felt that same feeling when Bryan was with me in my room on the evening of September 11th. That feeling of shock and that urge to find out more about it.
Anyways, it is a tragic thing for that Israeli guy Llan Ramon. The first Israeli in space, tragically dies in a NASA landing. 16 days of successful Scientific experiments for a few middle schools and a bunch of other space organizations across the world. Next event: Seven perish as they are slammed into Earth's atmosphere at six times the speed of sound. Ouch.
They say it's the shuttle which holds the title of being the oldest shuttle in NASA's shuttle program fleet. 22 years old, that thing only had less than 30 missions up into orbit. When according to what I've heard, they're designed to withstand a hundred missions into orbit. Is it age? Is it terrorism? Or something else? An accident?
Well whatever it is, hats down as we listen to T.A.P.S., lower the flags of the United States and Israel.