Sunday, August 31, 2003
THE ROMAN GOD OF WAR
The Damage Report - Year 2 - Ending Week #12
Background Music: "God Put a Smile On Your Face" Coldplay
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
MARS was up there and on Wednesday night we were at the Rotonda gazing at it. I was with Badge, Ayesha, and Apple. Later on Abbie, Lance, Kevin, John, Gaile and Basil joined us. Mars was this orangy reddish dot in the night sky that refused to shimmer as much as the distant stars did. Just looking at it gives you this feeling that you're looking at something important. That we're looking at something that is about to become a part of Human History.
Enough of the Twilight Zone music and back to work. The entire week was for the Midterms and I end it more disappointed than ever. A weak Prelims and now a tragic Midterms... would only mean the Finals will be nothing but a battle field in a number of subjects. I remain confident I can work things out for the Finals, that is, as long as I can reduce the temptations.
I've spent the past two terms of the First Semester exposing myself to both more work and more play. In the Preliminary term, it was about jumping into the new school year and already have so many things to do on the first day. I managed to catch up to what I had set myself up to but then comes the Midterms and I completely lost balance and then a chain reaction happened.
I lost balance and it started in the Heraldo Filipino after having eight articles stack up on top of each other. I originally had five, but a sudden eight and a one week deadline made me want to just swim in a bottle of ice cold liquor. (Taking note: That as of this day and as much as I've drinked a bit frequently... I. Have. Never. Been. Drunk. ...Yet.)
So there, I lost my balance in the Heraldo Filipino and it was like a snowball effect from there. Soon, my mind was totally off guard for the AB Comm Channel's shooting schedules. Then, there goes the Academic situation where my mind crashed with information overload. It was crazy. It was madness. And for one moment, I actually wanted to just stop.
For a split second, a part of me wanted to shift to AB Communication. For that split second, which for someone could also represent a whole eternity, I was tired of journalism. I was tired of seeing the dull gray newspaper and the same bad news all the time. I wanted to return to the art of film making and study that. I wanted to splash color onto the lives of many with advertising. George Putong of COM2-1. Wow.
*The record wraps up*
Back to reality. I think it's just an information overload. I've been at it (writing articles) for over a year now and it's been non-stop. There's always deadline after deadline and I wanted to break free of it. I envied watching my dorm mates this past week playing video games inbetween there examination periods. They went sound tripping in their rooms while I was there lying on my bed exhausted like always.
I think now that I've experienced writing in Broadjourn, I think I know what I dislike and like. I dislike journalism if the issue is always the socio-political economic corrupting bullshit kind of thing. You're excused from my bad language here. I want to write about lively things, happy things, and spread the good news. At the same time I want to write for news... but I want to write good news. Bad news sells... yes I know. But I'm sure there's a certain kind of good news I can write about that will inspire others to think positive about their lives and encourage themselves.
I think I'm going to turn down as much as possible articles that I have no interests in. Ate Precious of Fiat spoke to me and she told me that writers today have lost their passion to write. My course is greatly related to the art of writing news and that passion I thought I had isn't passion... it's frustration.
So, my goal now in Broadjourn is to concentrate on Broadcasting of the news. I don't see myself working at a broadsheet in the future. I would rather bounce off FHM as a writer there and continue my studies on International Media or something... the "work my way up the chain" kind of thing. ^_^
I'm mainly referring to my News Feature. It's about corruption in the government which is actually quite overstated already. Students hear about it in the news on television or in the newspapers... why read about it again in the Heraldo Filipino? I love our paper, it's won top prize two times consecutively at the CEGP Convention... and the content is highly informative. But please, can we add the spice and get every student interested in dissecting the whole paper and not just the komiks and kampusapusapan? Maybe someone from the HF is reading this, but when we all gather together for a storyboard meeting I'll start speaking up about these things.
Woah, I've said a lot already. I've made posts everyday this past week since we surfed outside every night. It's become a nightly routine now to compliment the Tropa night outs. Well, I guess I've said what I wanted to say so that should conclude things... here.
***
Day 1 of the Midterms - Shock Therapy (or browse down below)
- From missing an exam due to a changed schedule to breaking the rules with the stubs at the University Registrar, this day had it's share of deeds and disasters... and let's not forget it also had the exam in Constitution.
Day 2 of the Midterms - The Kitten Died (or browse down below)
- From waking up to the news that the kitten in the room mysterious died to spending a total amount of Php 1,151 at an authentic Japanese and Korean restaurant down the road, this day had wasted food and expensive food rolled into one.
Day 3 of the Midterms - Wishing on a Planet (or browse down below)
- Surfing at the "Nero" DSL-Internet Cafe for the fourth day in a row didn't sway the problems of an unfinished article and a chain of bad reviewing. Insanity. Madness. Frustration. and Mars.
Day 4 of the Midterms - The Hardest Things (or browse down below)
- The two hardest exams of the week all on the last day and still the problems existed. The problems in the tropa, in my own life, and everything else all sank deep. The unfinished article transforms me into a registered Frustrated Journalist. And... to drown all the work and no play by officially starting Final Fantasy X in Lance's room.
***
Title Explained: The Roman God of War
There are still problems within the tropa and within myself. Lately I've been resenting someone I actually care for. My subconsciousness is taking over and I'm hoping it goes away along with the red planet as Earth continues orbiting the sun. I mean, this past week I've felt bitter to someone... more than ever before. I told this to Abbie so she knows what I'm talking about.
It's like he has problems and as his friend I want to help him out, but when I approach him I feel like he wouldn't listen to what I'm saying since the opinion of his closer friend is worth more than what I'm saying. So eventually I would feel useless in the long run. And then there goes the lack of balance this person has with his relationship with others; but this person is just being himself and I accept people for who they are. But then again he says things and apologizes for things and then I hear the phrase "All Words and No Actions" repeating in my head. This is the first time I've felt bitter and cold to someone that I should be totally okay with. Eshada.
I'm trying to find my understanding of my friend here, it seemed to have gotten lost somewhere in the puddles of rain down that long, long street. If anyone out there can help me here... (*ahem* ...tropz?) ...leave a reaction below or talk to me in person. I need your help.
Friday, August 29, 2003
DAY 4 of the MIDTERMS - THE HARDEST THINGS
Ang talata, balita, at komposisyon sa Retorika...
The Four Zones of Proxemics in Intro to Communication Theory...
I did my best to prevent my head from exploding during the two most difficult exams of the entire week. RETORIKA, which is the third and final Filipino subject of the Broadjourn Curriculum and COMM THEORY, which is the foremost and premiere Major subject of AB COMM and BROADJOURN.
I can't say much again since my head was blown off with the two exams. I fixed up my assignment for COMM THEORY (The Four Zones in Proxemics by Edward Hall) this morning and was late for tutorial with Upper and Teenah at the Executive House (e-house, lobby of the dorms). So, Teenah gave me a rush review right before this bitchy proctor entered the room.
I answered the exam as best as I could and I was glad it was about newspapers. Parts of the newspaper. It's our friggin' course and I work for the University Paper, so it would be great shame if I failed that part of the test. I think I screwed up the talata part... I was able to answer, but it was kind of messy.
After the exam we only had less than an hour before taking the exam on our only major subject this semester. We went to square canteen and ate (baked mac for me, that was my brunch... ugh... talk about mal-nutritioned) and then I rushed back to the SBC to get me a Test Booklet. We proceeded to FCH and after a few moments, the examinations began.
The exam was answerable at the same time disappointing since I failed to memorize all the terms. The coverage was in an organized variety compared to last term's coverage. The coverage for our midterms was about the different theories, so I could now focus on the difference between them. Last time, it was one giant topic with tricky questions... during the prelims I never knew the word "communication" could be part of dozens of other words. Interpersonal communication, Social communication, Public communication, Intrapersonal communication, Communication this and communication that.
My head didn't explode but I did crash into my dorm room in the middle of the sunny afternoon. Kyle was playing FF8 and I accidentally dozed off two hours of my day. I hate taking naps, I get instant headaches and have this feeling that "I missed half the world while I was sleeping."
Luckily, I prevented that and instead went next door to Lance's room (Condominium F-4). Lance was playing Ragnarok MMO at Hubsite while Kevin was playing FFX on the PS2 there. My roomie Kyle was also there.
After another hour or so, I convinced them we should eat out and we went to KFC earlier. Lance catched up just as I put down my fork and spoon after eating. He returned was to La Salle then Kevin and I decided to surf at NEBO but it was closed. So now we're at Launcher PC Internet Cafe next to the old location of Fiat.
It's almost curfew, so I'm logging out now. "The Damage Report" for this week will be brief, since I've been enumerating my past week day-by-day.
Ang talata, balita, at komposisyon sa Retorika...
The Four Zones of Proxemics in Intro to Communication Theory...
I did my best to prevent my head from exploding during the two most difficult exams of the entire week. RETORIKA, which is the third and final Filipino subject of the Broadjourn Curriculum and COMM THEORY, which is the foremost and premiere Major subject of AB COMM and BROADJOURN.
I can't say much again since my head was blown off with the two exams. I fixed up my assignment for COMM THEORY (The Four Zones in Proxemics by Edward Hall) this morning and was late for tutorial with Upper and Teenah at the Executive House (e-house, lobby of the dorms). So, Teenah gave me a rush review right before this bitchy proctor entered the room.
I answered the exam as best as I could and I was glad it was about newspapers. Parts of the newspaper. It's our friggin' course and I work for the University Paper, so it would be great shame if I failed that part of the test. I think I screwed up the talata part... I was able to answer, but it was kind of messy.
After the exam we only had less than an hour before taking the exam on our only major subject this semester. We went to square canteen and ate (baked mac for me, that was my brunch... ugh... talk about mal-nutritioned) and then I rushed back to the SBC to get me a Test Booklet. We proceeded to FCH and after a few moments, the examinations began.
The exam was answerable at the same time disappointing since I failed to memorize all the terms. The coverage was in an organized variety compared to last term's coverage. The coverage for our midterms was about the different theories, so I could now focus on the difference between them. Last time, it was one giant topic with tricky questions... during the prelims I never knew the word "communication" could be part of dozens of other words. Interpersonal communication, Social communication, Public communication, Intrapersonal communication, Communication this and communication that.
My head didn't explode but I did crash into my dorm room in the middle of the sunny afternoon. Kyle was playing FF8 and I accidentally dozed off two hours of my day. I hate taking naps, I get instant headaches and have this feeling that "I missed half the world while I was sleeping."
Luckily, I prevented that and instead went next door to Lance's room (Condominium F-4). Lance was playing Ragnarok MMO at Hubsite while Kevin was playing FFX on the PS2 there. My roomie Kyle was also there.
After another hour or so, I convinced them we should eat out and we went to KFC earlier. Lance catched up just as I put down my fork and spoon after eating. He returned was to La Salle then Kevin and I decided to surf at NEBO but it was closed. So now we're at Launcher PC Internet Cafe next to the old location of Fiat.
It's almost curfew, so I'm logging out now. "The Damage Report" for this week will be brief, since I've been enumerating my past week day-by-day.
Thursday, August 28, 2003
DAY 3 of the MIDTERMS - WISHING ON A PLANET
We spoke together about movies and facts while gazing at Mars...
I officially screwed up my Midterms like my Prelims, great...
I'm at NEBO right now. Yes, it's NEBO after thinking it's NERO for the past week and a half. We've been recent addictive surfers here. I haven't been to the DLSU-D ERS for ages now. The internet here is fast... I think it's DSL or Satelite or something.
Anyways, I didn't review last night after I crashed into my dorm room tired of another hectic day. Lance approached and sat next to my bed and then we started talking about the tropa and of our own linkages to the past.
I don't want to talk much about the past anymore. It hurts just to think about it. Eric Salta has his own close friends in his days in High School... they were also a total of seven. Eric tells me how they get together on weekends, how they go to each other's houses a lot... and right now among the seven in our "G7" it doesn't happen like that. It's sad how we've grown so distant now. I have no idea where Candy is right now and that in itself is a tunnel of mysteries and rumors.
I do know that Joy moved in with Nikki and the two are at a Boarding house. Bryan came from the states and returned. Then there's Erika who changed schools. And Lance and I here in DLSU-D.
Well... anyways, we also spoke about the tropa and I told Lance about the potentially "deadly" Vicious cycle that could happen to me soon. It's this part of me that feels neglected (not in any way connected to High School, but throughout my life in general here in the Philippines) that might push me to lessen the warmth of friendship I love giving to others.
Like I said before, when I feel that energy I give out to them isn't reciprocated properly back to me (not everyone has the capacity to reciprocate what I give to them and I totally accept that)... I feel I'll lose that warmth bit by bit until I become bitter.
Then it returns to that age old problem of mine. A Best Friend to be there for me and always be the last one to leave the room with me. Well... no one has been able to do exactly that... er... someone kinda has but when he gets a girlfriend... he's the type who'll be like my best friend in High School... zealously dedicated to the girl, seemingly no space for the best friend...
Then there's my friend Aldrich... who I thought had all those qualities but suddenly in the end I saw it's "all my time is for my best friend, and no time to reach out to the others" kind of thing.
I believe I can have it both ways. I can be a best friend to someone at the same time hang out with all the dawgz in the dorms... co-staffers at HF... co-producers at the Channel... and of course my classmates.
No one is perfect. I absolutely know that. And I accept people for who they are. And the thing my high school best friend (who went abroad) taught me was "to lessen the expectations".
So I do lessen the expectations and since I did that, I'm not as possessive as I was in High School.
So, if we continue solving this equation we would get that a best friend would be the one to reciprocate "the energy" back to me.
Well... um... it isn't exactly happening and the fate of my happiness with everyone hangs in the balance...
Would somebody please save me. I've stood strong for over a year and I never asked anyone to save me before... and if there was a time to ask someone to save me, now would be the time...
***
The Speech exam was disastrous. I answered everything to what I know but I missed the "Principles of Gestures" in the Identification. That was worth three points.
Kate, Badge, Ayesha, and I ate out at Inazalle. Tasty BBQ. After eating there Badge and Ayesha returned to the CLASC for a Broadjourn Program Council meeting and Kate went to the Heraldo Filipino.
I went here to NEBO by myself and thinking I would be here among strangers. Pagpasok ko, lahat sila nandito! Joel, then Len... tapos salikod sila Abbie, Lance... even Jhecc of Heraldo Filipino! Tapos, after surfing awhile pumasok dito sila Kuya Mikoy ng CLASC. Wow. Completo tayo dito. Ang saya saya... Hahaha.
We spoke together about movies and facts while gazing at Mars...
I officially screwed up my Midterms like my Prelims, great...
I'm at NEBO right now. Yes, it's NEBO after thinking it's NERO for the past week and a half. We've been recent addictive surfers here. I haven't been to the DLSU-D ERS for ages now. The internet here is fast... I think it's DSL or Satelite or something.
Anyways, I didn't review last night after I crashed into my dorm room tired of another hectic day. Lance approached and sat next to my bed and then we started talking about the tropa and of our own linkages to the past.
I don't want to talk much about the past anymore. It hurts just to think about it. Eric Salta has his own close friends in his days in High School... they were also a total of seven. Eric tells me how they get together on weekends, how they go to each other's houses a lot... and right now among the seven in our "G7" it doesn't happen like that. It's sad how we've grown so distant now. I have no idea where Candy is right now and that in itself is a tunnel of mysteries and rumors.
I do know that Joy moved in with Nikki and the two are at a Boarding house. Bryan came from the states and returned. Then there's Erika who changed schools. And Lance and I here in DLSU-D.
Well... anyways, we also spoke about the tropa and I told Lance about the potentially "deadly" Vicious cycle that could happen to me soon. It's this part of me that feels neglected (not in any way connected to High School, but throughout my life in general here in the Philippines) that might push me to lessen the warmth of friendship I love giving to others.
Like I said before, when I feel that energy I give out to them isn't reciprocated properly back to me (not everyone has the capacity to reciprocate what I give to them and I totally accept that)... I feel I'll lose that warmth bit by bit until I become bitter.
Then it returns to that age old problem of mine. A Best Friend to be there for me and always be the last one to leave the room with me. Well... no one has been able to do exactly that... er... someone kinda has but when he gets a girlfriend... he's the type who'll be like my best friend in High School... zealously dedicated to the girl, seemingly no space for the best friend...
Then there's my friend Aldrich... who I thought had all those qualities but suddenly in the end I saw it's "all my time is for my best friend, and no time to reach out to the others" kind of thing.
I believe I can have it both ways. I can be a best friend to someone at the same time hang out with all the dawgz in the dorms... co-staffers at HF... co-producers at the Channel... and of course my classmates.
No one is perfect. I absolutely know that. And I accept people for who they are. And the thing my high school best friend (who went abroad) taught me was "to lessen the expectations".
So I do lessen the expectations and since I did that, I'm not as possessive as I was in High School.
So, if we continue solving this equation we would get that a best friend would be the one to reciprocate "the energy" back to me.
Well... um... it isn't exactly happening and the fate of my happiness with everyone hangs in the balance...
Would somebody please save me. I've stood strong for over a year and I never asked anyone to save me before... and if there was a time to ask someone to save me, now would be the time...
***
The Speech exam was disastrous. I answered everything to what I know but I missed the "Principles of Gestures" in the Identification. That was worth three points.
Kate, Badge, Ayesha, and I ate out at Inazalle. Tasty BBQ. After eating there Badge and Ayesha returned to the CLASC for a Broadjourn Program Council meeting and Kate went to the Heraldo Filipino.
I went here to NEBO by myself and thinking I would be here among strangers. Pagpasok ko, lahat sila nandito! Joel, then Len... tapos salikod sila Abbie, Lance... even Jhecc of Heraldo Filipino! Tapos, after surfing awhile pumasok dito sila Kuya Mikoy ng CLASC. Wow. Completo tayo dito. Ang saya saya... Hahaha.
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
DAY 2 of the MIDTERMS - THE KITTEN DIED
After a mysterious apparation claimed by a dorm mate last night...
The kitten in our room was found dead this morning, cause of death unknown...
I can't say much right now other than it was sunny this morning and I was very hopeful we'd see the stars tonight since the Red Planet is at it's closest point to Earth in 59,619 years.
I studied for Art Appreciation, took the exam and disliked the 2nd test. We ate at KFC in Waltermart... couldn't finish the food since I was already full. We returned to La Salle and I didn't bother to visit the office since I wanted full focus on my Reed103 exam. I studied in the dorm room and finally went with Basil to the CBA Building. No offense to CBA peeps, but the place instantly has me picturing that one sex story in the CR there of a couple that got caught and when I looked at the back of the building, I instantly pictured how stupid that one CBA person would've looked like after he fell down the escape hatch to the miranda. Sheesh.
Ang init sa BBA 203 and the tables are abnormal, large for Accountancy students. Nevertheless we took the exam in Reed103 and I broke the Golden Rule of all... of the questions that I couldn't answer... I am supposed to leave the best educated guess. I failed doing that 14 times! I'm in for it. I'm starting to dislike Reed103 more. The professor is great but the subject matter is something I'd rather listen to on Sunday.
Returned to the dorms and still it was dim. The Kitten died. Mysterious. It was okay yesterday and I was even "torturing it" by holding above it the remaining pieces of cheese nachos. I had no idea it would be dead.
It's sad.
This evening I'm stretched between eating with my classmates or joining the tropa once again for a night out. Last night we spent Php 1,151 at the 5+2 Oriental Food place near Manuelaville. We were 8 people. Everyone spent around 100 to 200 there. But the food tasted authentic and delicious.
That's all I can say right now. I'm not feeling good. It started raining again.
Logging out of NERO.
After a mysterious apparation claimed by a dorm mate last night...
The kitten in our room was found dead this morning, cause of death unknown...
I can't say much right now other than it was sunny this morning and I was very hopeful we'd see the stars tonight since the Red Planet is at it's closest point to Earth in 59,619 years.
I studied for Art Appreciation, took the exam and disliked the 2nd test. We ate at KFC in Waltermart... couldn't finish the food since I was already full. We returned to La Salle and I didn't bother to visit the office since I wanted full focus on my Reed103 exam. I studied in the dorm room and finally went with Basil to the CBA Building. No offense to CBA peeps, but the place instantly has me picturing that one sex story in the CR there of a couple that got caught and when I looked at the back of the building, I instantly pictured how stupid that one CBA person would've looked like after he fell down the escape hatch to the miranda. Sheesh.
Ang init sa BBA 203 and the tables are abnormal, large for Accountancy students. Nevertheless we took the exam in Reed103 and I broke the Golden Rule of all... of the questions that I couldn't answer... I am supposed to leave the best educated guess. I failed doing that 14 times! I'm in for it. I'm starting to dislike Reed103 more. The professor is great but the subject matter is something I'd rather listen to on Sunday.
Returned to the dorms and still it was dim. The Kitten died. Mysterious. It was okay yesterday and I was even "torturing it" by holding above it the remaining pieces of cheese nachos. I had no idea it would be dead.
It's sad.
This evening I'm stretched between eating with my classmates or joining the tropa once again for a night out. Last night we spent Php 1,151 at the 5+2 Oriental Food place near Manuelaville. We were 8 people. Everyone spent around 100 to 200 there. But the food tasted authentic and delicious.
That's all I can say right now. I'm not feeling good. It started raining again.
Logging out of NERO.
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
DAY 1 of the MIDTERMS - SHOCK THERAPY
What the hell is the "fruit from the poisonous tree" doctrine?!
The Miranda Doctrine? Ano yun? Isn't Miranda a drink?
I know I sound stupid. But yes, that's exactly what I have been this entire day. Out of all the exams this week to change timeslots, it had to be the very first one- Computer. I woke up and planned on making the best of the first examination date. Only to find out around 9 o'clock in the morning that my classmates were calling me at the gate of the dormitory asking me where I have been and that they were finished with the exam in Computer.
The 12pm sched for the exam in computer was changed to 8am! I missed an exam... for the very first time!! Ahhhh. And to top that, wala pa akong permit at the time. Double Shit!!
I had a total of seven hours to review for Article III Bill of Rights for my Constitution exam at 4pm. But I spent that time gazing at my fixed study table in the dorm with the orange-cover of the light thing I had installed last night. I listened to music and meditated to restore the sanity of such an event of missing an exam!!
Luckily Kevin was there and we ate out at FIAT. Delicious food for a torn down morning. Ate Precious told me about her trip to China last Summer and about Nanching and about gigantic fishes and everything. It sounded dreamy... I wish I could get lost in a foreign land together with a close friend and just explore the streets of a provincial town in China.
That's a wrap!
I rushed back into the campus and went directly to the Computer Studies department. I went straight to the window and then internalized for a moment next to Kevin. I called the secretary and she called Ms. dela Cruz... she was there! She walked out of the faculty room and we spoke in the hallway.
"I'm sorry Miss... hindi ko alam iba na ang sched sa computer... I couldn't take the exam kanina..."
She kindly understood my situation and told me that I wasted such a good chance at a very easy exam this morning. She told me I can take my Special Exam next Saturday, not this Saturday.
I thanked her and walked away with Kevin and I returned to the Admin to pay my tuition. I had stub number 3174 and they were still calling out for stubs 3050 and 3051! After a whole hour from 2900 something. Kevin went to his exam. Umakyat na lang ako sa opisina ng Heraldo and I sat there reviewing the Bill of Rights.
Eventually I went back and forth from the office to the register and then on one return, the guard at the dorms was holding the microphone. I kindly asked him what number where they on and they were still on 3109. They were taking so long!
Suddenly he took my stub after looking at it and silently told me "Sige, pasok ka na."
I was shocked but I didn't make it obvious. I marched into the Register's Office and joined the short line there. I turned my head around to look at the guard and I noticed the Discipline Officer that usually holds the microphone had returned to his throne and started to call out for 3110 and 3111. I felt a surge of guilt... at the same time I tried not to smile from this sudden feeling that it was nice to have an "insider". Astig. I broke the rules once again... heheh.
After that I returned to HF and then eventually my dorm to eat Nachos with Kevin and then I tried to review but I couldn't. Eventually I ended up torturing the kitten that was there on Alex's bed. I didn't tear it's limbs or anything, but I held the nacho container with the cheese and salsa on it next to the cat and as it tried to reach for it, I pulled it away. Hahaha. Recent events have made Mr. Nice Guy a Dr. Evil. *grins*
I trashed that fucking problem I have recently. No, it's not that the News Feature's deadline has been suddenly changed for tomorrow... it's that other problem. I feel nothing but emptiness... and that emptiness suddenly filled up with fire... fueled by all this stress and the problems of the tropa.
I went to JFH 202 where our exam in Consti was to take place. I barely reviewed. I've had the book in my hands the past few hours but the words in it kept bouncing out of my head seconds after I read them. I took the exam and it was generally "easy" for someone who studied. Sayang. Because I couldn't answer key points of the exam that could've bagged me points to get greater than passing. Right now, I don't even think I passed.
I dropped Badge to her dorm since I was on my way here to NERO. Kevin and Kyle joined but now they are leaving for CYBERKADA to join the rest of the guys... who happen to be playing Starcraft there. Starcraft?!
What the hell is the "fruit from the poisonous tree" doctrine?!
The Miranda Doctrine? Ano yun? Isn't Miranda a drink?
I know I sound stupid. But yes, that's exactly what I have been this entire day. Out of all the exams this week to change timeslots, it had to be the very first one- Computer. I woke up and planned on making the best of the first examination date. Only to find out around 9 o'clock in the morning that my classmates were calling me at the gate of the dormitory asking me where I have been and that they were finished with the exam in Computer.
The 12pm sched for the exam in computer was changed to 8am! I missed an exam... for the very first time!! Ahhhh. And to top that, wala pa akong permit at the time. Double Shit!!
I had a total of seven hours to review for Article III Bill of Rights for my Constitution exam at 4pm. But I spent that time gazing at my fixed study table in the dorm with the orange-cover of the light thing I had installed last night. I listened to music and meditated to restore the sanity of such an event of missing an exam!!
Luckily Kevin was there and we ate out at FIAT. Delicious food for a torn down morning. Ate Precious told me about her trip to China last Summer and about Nanching and about gigantic fishes and everything. It sounded dreamy... I wish I could get lost in a foreign land together with a close friend and just explore the streets of a provincial town in China.
That's a wrap!
I rushed back into the campus and went directly to the Computer Studies department. I went straight to the window and then internalized for a moment next to Kevin. I called the secretary and she called Ms. dela Cruz... she was there! She walked out of the faculty room and we spoke in the hallway.
"I'm sorry Miss... hindi ko alam iba na ang sched sa computer... I couldn't take the exam kanina..."
She kindly understood my situation and told me that I wasted such a good chance at a very easy exam this morning. She told me I can take my Special Exam next Saturday, not this Saturday.
I thanked her and walked away with Kevin and I returned to the Admin to pay my tuition. I had stub number 3174 and they were still calling out for stubs 3050 and 3051! After a whole hour from 2900 something. Kevin went to his exam. Umakyat na lang ako sa opisina ng Heraldo and I sat there reviewing the Bill of Rights.
Eventually I went back and forth from the office to the register and then on one return, the guard at the dorms was holding the microphone. I kindly asked him what number where they on and they were still on 3109. They were taking so long!
Suddenly he took my stub after looking at it and silently told me "Sige, pasok ka na."
I was shocked but I didn't make it obvious. I marched into the Register's Office and joined the short line there. I turned my head around to look at the guard and I noticed the Discipline Officer that usually holds the microphone had returned to his throne and started to call out for 3110 and 3111. I felt a surge of guilt... at the same time I tried not to smile from this sudden feeling that it was nice to have an "insider". Astig. I broke the rules once again... heheh.
After that I returned to HF and then eventually my dorm to eat Nachos with Kevin and then I tried to review but I couldn't. Eventually I ended up torturing the kitten that was there on Alex's bed. I didn't tear it's limbs or anything, but I held the nacho container with the cheese and salsa on it next to the cat and as it tried to reach for it, I pulled it away. Hahaha. Recent events have made Mr. Nice Guy a Dr. Evil. *grins*
I trashed that fucking problem I have recently. No, it's not that the News Feature's deadline has been suddenly changed for tomorrow... it's that other problem. I feel nothing but emptiness... and that emptiness suddenly filled up with fire... fueled by all this stress and the problems of the tropa.
I went to JFH 202 where our exam in Consti was to take place. I barely reviewed. I've had the book in my hands the past few hours but the words in it kept bouncing out of my head seconds after I read them. I took the exam and it was generally "easy" for someone who studied. Sayang. Because I couldn't answer key points of the exam that could've bagged me points to get greater than passing. Right now, I don't even think I passed.
I dropped Badge to her dorm since I was on my way here to NERO. Kevin and Kyle joined but now they are leaving for CYBERKADA to join the rest of the guys... who happen to be playing Starcraft there. Starcraft?!
Sunday, August 24, 2003
HERE'S TO YOU SAGITTARIUS
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Year 2 - Starting Week #12
Background Music: "Numb" by Linkin Park
NOTE: A Weekly post made before moving back into my Dorm in La Salle on Sunday nights.
I'M EXTREMELY disappointed right now. GRAVELY disappointed. Actually, maybe I could also be angry and mad and all the other emotions relating to the element of fire... but I don't have enough energy to fight fire with fire lately.
I don't even know where to start.
I've set myself up for disaster. I love having friends and that as a fact has kept me going and kept me going strong. Then, when I finally find someone who could reciprocate that love of friends back towards me... that's when I find a best friend.
I'm not making any sense, I know.
He was here for six weeks and we only got two minutes out of it. At least we did get two minutes, would be my initial reaction if I would turn into a forgiving Saint. Not until you get the impression this person would prefer to hang out with his other friends rather than be the first to txt me where and when to meet.
That's what I told him on the two minutes we had when he dropped by my house on my birthday. I told him "Just txt me... Let's go somewhere."
We didn't go anywhere. And, I was the one always txting and asking him if he'd like to go here on this date at this certain time.
It reached a point, like recently, when his time was up. His six weeks are coming to an end this week. I would've adjusted my own schedule to meet his unnamed plans. It didn't even happen.
I bet he doesn't know that during lunchtime on the 20th of April back in 2002 I was in my room all alone listening to the radio. The lights where off. The windows were closed. It was cloudy outside. As cheesy or as corny as it may sound, I was holding back my tears. That's how close I felt to my best friend.
I bet he doesn't know I was looking at that clock in my room during the moments his plane left for the United States.
I bet he doesn't know that I was probably the most affected by his departure. The rest of his friends returned to their normal summer routine while I sat there by the computer waiting for an e-mail or him to appear in Yahoo! Messenger.
I bet he doesn't know how I, too, like his girlfriend, anticipated his arrival. How I wanted to find out when was the exact date and time he would arrive in NAIA for his vacation here in the country. How I already visualized myself with his girlfriend picking him up and taking him directly to his house to enjoy some Filipino merienda. Then leaving the two alone perhaps...
I'm just fucking disappointed at myself.
I've set myself up for disaster. How could I open myself again and become so vulnurable. I'm as sensitive as a Cancer, but I do my best to control my emotions and not let them control me. But now, it's gotten even hell out of balance.
I've been hurt by a Sagittarius. Again.
There's a time for everything, my friend. And I hope next time will be a little different for you. I'm not going to ask you to include me in your agenda next time. That should've been up to you in the first place, way before you came back here.
Ang bastos mo.
The light of happiness of my High School years dims further. It used to be down to the so-called "G7"... now it's dimmed to show only half of their faces. And when that light fades out... let's not even think that will happen.
I stabbed myself with the hope and love I have for them.
***
Back to the Future... here are the four pillars:
Academics/JOU2-1. The Midterm Examinations are throughout this week. No classes. Just heavy duty studying again to fly above the 2.25 minimum-set goal for the Midterms on all my subjects. In some, I'm aiming for 3.25 and above. It's uphill or downhill from here.
Heraldo Filipino. I have one remaining article, which is a lengthy News Feature. I decided to continue it instead of giving it totally away. If I gave it away, I only have two submitted articles to the next Broadsheet compared to last issue's seven articles/photos. Kuya Marthy resigned from Features Editor and with Kuya JD as the rumored new Features' Editor... I'm hoping the La Salleno doesn't turn into a Decreto-like Magazine. That's serious. ^_^
AB Comm Channel. Nothing much for me to do here this week other than submit 2x2's for the ID and maintain updates on the KTS-6 Concert next week.
Dormitory/Tropa. I've re-arranged my corner of the room and it looks nice... and cute and useful. I swear! I mean, I moved the inverted the head of the bed and opened up this corner in the room that used to be unaccessable. I'm excited to start working on that new opened space just for me. Heheh. With the tropa, hopefully more night outs, less drama... and MORE love!
***
Study MABUTI!
Aral HARD!
Saturday, August 23, 2003
WHAT IS WORTH LIVING FOR
The Damage Report - Year 2 - Ending Week #11
Background Music: "Show Me How To Live" by Audioslave
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
NEARLY THREE weeks it has been spinning in circles trying to finish up whatever needs to be finished. I am sick and I am tired and the past week I felt like a walking invalid.
RAIN AND A MOVIE
I came in on Monday afternoon and enjoyed a KFC lunch and then joining Kyle in the room in watching some pirated VCD movies. He's an addict these days. Sometimes he even skips class. And right now, I think he has a big personal problem.
The movie we watched was Artificial Intelligence, and yes, he does buy old pirated VCDs. I watched it before, but watching it again on a rainy and lazy afternoon just soothed me and mushed me up in sentimental sadness. Jason of F7 passed by and reminded me of how it made people want to cry.
After the movie, I proceeded to JFH 107 for the AB Comm Channel meeting and then back to the dorms. I didn't go to the Heraldo Filipino.
***
TUESDAY - BREAKING ALL THE RULES
Tuesday came. And I 50% unintentionally and 50% intentionally skipped all my morning classes. I didn't mean to miss SPEECH, in which I had a very important presentation in with my group mates... but somehow the cold air of Tuesday morning... the rains outside... and my double matress bed was just so comfortable I decided to just relax.
Alex wasn't sleeping in for the week, although he does frequent the room a lot. Basil slept over since he said he wanted to try out a new peaceful environment (huh? F3 a peaceful environment?!). Basil missed his first class but made it to his 2nd class.
In Constitution my soul jumped out when Sir suddenly asked me if my ambush interview of him on the Lakeside Avenue last week was put in the tape recorder. It wasn't! I was just asking to get references to use because I was on the way to interview Dean Aquino Garcia of CLA.
In Computer we had another substitute.
For the evening, I surfed at NERO with Lance and them and it was very addictive. I also established further the joint-tropa blog "The Promenade" and invited the rest to join. The internet at NERO is DSL I believe... no wonder it's so addictive.
We were supposed to eat together, but that didn't happen. Lance and them went to 7-11 while Abbie, Len, and I where suddenly shocked at their sudden walkout. I took the steering wheel of the decisions and led us to Binalot sa Dasma for our quick dinner since curfew was near.
There's a major problem right now in our tropa. Lance... Abbie... Aldrich... even Myself. We all have our demons to face and these demons are so hard.
Rules broken:
- Absent in Three Classes (luckily in Comm. Theory Ms. Sigari was absent, makes me absent in 2 classes)
- Late for the News Feature article (at the time)
- Cut Constitution to eat semi-Lunch (encouraged by Jhen, such a bad bad girl... heheh)
***
WEDNESDAY - TATARIN II
Washday Wednesday and it would be the day Broadjourn2-1, my section, would be "re-staging" Tatarin again as requested by the FILIPINO department since we are one of the top placers. I was in charge of sounds, but I woke up late once again. Teenah will have my head!
I rushed as fast as I could but even that was still too slow. I borrowed Tom's radio and rushed to the JFH grounds and started fixing up the sounds. The class was dressing up into their costumes again inside JFH 101. Broadjourn3-1 was outside and the venue of the performances isn't at the Rotonda like two weeks ago... it's at the CLA grounds! That's our college.
We would be the first to perform since we were 3rd Place. I rushed and fixed the sounds and my classmates, in character, danced themselves to the front of the JFH grounds. Like before, the crowds cheered. It was the first time we had the music working, since during the parade the music system wasn't available.
After the performance, we received our trophy and Jeremy Manicad accepted it on behalf of Broadjourn2-1. The program continued with someone singing and suddenly Kevin appeared out of no where and approached me to get details about the event.
Markova and Dekada '70 performed, both First Year Nursing. Both of them were tied at 2nd Place. "Engkanto" by BSM/BSA2-1 wasn't re-staged. It was directed, choreographed, and even acted out by my friend in the dorms and new co-staffer at HF, Thomas "Tom" Wagan.
Afterwards we still had a class in Reed103. But before that, I had a Frio Mixx Green Apple from the kiosk set up there. The person who ordered after me was Jairus of COM2-3... and after seeing this person in the hall for so long now, even in Fiat... I decided it was time to introduce myself so we could do the meet and greet everytime we see each other in the halls. (COM2-3's classrooms are next to JOU2-1 most of the time). We met.
Had a quiz in Reed103 and we sang more Lea Salonga songs. Heheh.
And in Art Appreciation, it was supposed to be at the Museo. But then there was a problem with the reservation so we ended up having a discussion inside of the classroom.
In the evening, I retrieved some handouts from the stalls and it started to rain again. I stayed at the dorms and laughed out loud with Jason from F7 and Joseph of F11 when Kyle had "American (Pie 3) Wedding" on. It was funny, and pirated. Yikes.
I thought Lance had promised to join me at FIAT for dinner with Badge, Apple, and Ayesha for a revived "Broadjourn Dormers Night Out". But he was at NERO after I went looking for him after eating at FIAT. After I ate at FIAT, my plan was to surf and catch up on all lost research.
On my way to NERO, he was on his way up the eskinita. I was surprised. He was also with Tony. They were headed to Inazalle with the the tropa. But I just ate!
You know what happens to me at inazalle if I have a full stomach and there's a lot of time.
Full stomach + Extra Time + Night + Inazalle = Drinking
Ahhh! Instead of researching at NERO for the sake of a better grade, I ended up joining the rest (four connected tables of friends) at Inazalle. Everyone ate dinner while I had one San Mig Light and a Caramel Chill. If I went to NERO, I would've been by myself while the whole tropa was enjoying themsleves at Inazalle.
At the dorms on Wednesday night, Tony read out this spanish poem he made. His dad and his grandfather are spanish. He said to me "El Differente Mente Usted" or something like that. Translated: "Something is different with your mind."
That one bottle of San Mig Light did not make me an ounce tipsy! No! I was just suddenly open with my words and I was even shouting and acting stupid. But I wasn't tipsy at all. I just felt like shouting and joking out loud and talking about things and people that bother me even if they could be outside listening. Hmph.
I was calling Lance "Traidor Mente!" or "Traidor Mind!!" for changing my whole plan of the evening by going ahead to NERO and eating afterwards instead of the other way around. Look what happened Lance... I was tempted to drink.
***
THURSDAY - CATCHING UP
I was late and nearly insane as I entered the Speech Lab. My Visual Aid grade is no more while the speech I gave was still pushed through. In Comm. Theory we had a quiz and we had a discussion on the Uncertainty Reduction Theory which gave me a bit of a headache like the rest of those other damned theories. But heck, this is my course and this is my first major... I gotta love it. *Plastik Smile*
In Retorika we had a discussion about newspapers and tabloids. I recited once, made me smile at least and wake up. The lunch was supposed to be a reunion but instead everyone else headed for Square. I managed to get Eric and Kate to join me at Inazalle... yes, again... and enjoy some good food while we reviewed for Constitution.
I barely got to review for constitution and when the quiz came, I could barely answer it. Bawi na lang sa exams. I'm not having a good week.
In Computer we had a discussion... a very boring one that I refused to listen to. Talk about losing my head in my studies for the day.
And in Speech, yes... again... Speech Make-up class we had a quiz that I made guess practical answers in since it was Essay-type. The remaining groups did their speeches while Maycee and I headed for Heraldo Filipino to join Eric and Kate who were already attending the News Meeting called by Ate Tina.
Eventually what came out of the meeting was a pat on the back from Ate Tina and two apprentice to help me out on the News Feature. Things are looking great now and I have renewed confidence in the NEWS section now that the apprentice staff are moving. I left the office with a smile.
In the dorms, a lot of people went home. Only a few remained. We were going to Festival Supermall on Friday, despite it being a holiday for Ninoy Aquino.
***
FRIDAY - FESTIVAL PROBLEMS
I slept in F4 and woke up late! I set 10am the departure time and I was the only one to wake up at 10am while the rest were already in their nice clothes. We ended up waiting for Lance and later on I invited Mark and his girl Camille (gradute of Baste, Psychology1-2) and arrived at Festival Supermall around 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Basta, whoever you see in the picture are the people that were there. Barely half of the tropa showed up, but we still had a studio picture.
I didn't do much. Well, I did hang out with Lance and up to now there's a problem within the tropa involving Lance and Abbie and Aldrich. The formula of a love triangle... that's supposed to be finished and dealt with but certain issues rise out of no where and clashes form. I'm happy for Abbie that she's found someone that will genuinely make her happy. I support Lance but I'm telling him to move on and ahead but he's having some problems there. And for Aldrich, well... um... I refuse to comment.
We all didn't do much.
Lunch (basically Merienda time) was at Wendy's and I even had a Frio Mixx Green Apple thing near X-Site. I had invited my former best friend (Best Friend during High School) Bryan but he was with Nikki in UP-Diliman. Ninz finally arrived after she popped up at the wrong cinema ticket booth (at ATC), see The Promenade for details. Heheh.
Lance joined me in looking for something to buy. I was so damn picky I couldn't find anything I liked. All the clothes at Penshoppe either reminded me too much of Aldrich and Mik while the clothes at Bench are really wide (literally). We couldn't find Blue Soda. At Human, the clothes looked too fresh from the factory. The clothes inside GIORVANO were Php 800 to 8,000... so on and so forth. I couldn't find anything. But thanks Lance for joining me...
I was sad I didn't have a shopping bag. I mean, I wanted to leave the mall holding a plastic with new clothes in it. My budget was P500 and I wanted a nice polo. I didn't find one. Awww...
We had our studio pictures taken. Three shots with the whole present tropa, and another extra shot with Kyle, Kevin, and Lance... the four of us. I also had a 2x2 picture taken but I didn't really like the result.
Basically it came down to Kyle, Kevin, Lance, and myself on the return trip to La Salle. After eating at Popeyes Chicken, we rushed down the mall like always. I remember back in High School we did the same and I was with Lance. I also remember last Summer rushing down the mall with Aldrich and Karl. We managed to fit in the last FX bound for Dasmarinas and La Salle. We almost missed it. Thank goodness.
Lance watched Kevin play FFX in the dorms while I slept over. And that was that.
George's clothes on Friday courtesy Lance Prodigalidad and Oxygen.
Thursday, August 21, 2003
THE FILIPINO IS WORTH DYING FOR
I made a special entry in the tropa's blog...
Right now I'm feeling a bit good. I hope I don't jinx that! What I mean is, I've been out of balance for the past few days and this evening I seem to have found my balance again. I now have breathing room to fix up what went wrong in my schedule.
I'm here at NERO again. It's Thursday night. No classes tomorrow. I'm with Kevin right now. Tomorrow we're going to FESTIVAL SUPERMALL. Going to get some Studio pics with the tropa and then play some paintball. I'm thinking of just watching since the last time I played paintball I was hit in the arm at close range and my wound was bleeding... even the personnel there at the Paintball place grew disgusted at my wound.
A studio pic and a pizza from S'barro outta do it for me. I'm planning on going home Friday night and enjoying my weekend at home studying and researching for my News Feature for the Broadsheet. Good day to you all.
I made a special entry in the tropa's blog...
Right now I'm feeling a bit good. I hope I don't jinx that! What I mean is, I've been out of balance for the past few days and this evening I seem to have found my balance again. I now have breathing room to fix up what went wrong in my schedule.
I'm here at NERO again. It's Thursday night. No classes tomorrow. I'm with Kevin right now. Tomorrow we're going to FESTIVAL SUPERMALL. Going to get some Studio pics with the tropa and then play some paintball. I'm thinking of just watching since the last time I played paintball I was hit in the arm at close range and my wound was bleeding... even the personnel there at the Paintball place grew disgusted at my wound.
A studio pic and a pizza from S'barro outta do it for me. I'm planning on going home Friday night and enjoying my weekend at home studying and researching for my News Feature for the Broadsheet. Good day to you all.
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
You have too many best friends...
This was the statement that I heard from someone close to me recently. I wasn't offended. I wasn't hurt. Nor do I believe that the statement is anymore true than birds swimming underground. It's just disappointing but in the end I disappoint myself.
I'm not even supposed to disclose this information, but I wanted to get it out me. I have so much stress lately in the things that I do and I can't tolerate anymore misunderstandings.
First of all, I would like to apologize to the entire world. The concept of a best friend is that this person will be with you when everyone else is busy and doing something.
But, in my life, I've never spent any longer than five years in one place. My father was stationed in Okinawa, than in San Francisco, than in San Diego... and it was hard to sustain one of those "lifetime friendships".
So, with that in mind, I guess we can piece it together. To me, a best friend is a person who will best represent the time and place I was at. A best friend that was with me through thick and thin. We would have countless arguments but still get it together in the end. Someone I can lean on, someone that I can trust, someone that I will always know will be there to stop me from ruling the world or to push me into changing the world. Naks.
Jeornee Reyes was my best friend in Okinawa Japan before I left. And when I lived in the Philippines, as much as he is still a best friend to me, we cannot spend a single moment together sharing jokes and talking about girls, cars, and studies like we used to. Duh. He's in Japan, I'm in the Philippines. I still look at him as a best friend because we shared so much when we were together in Japan.
And now, the best and primary example is Ralph Bryan Fuerte. He is the one and only best friend I considered during my High School years. We had phone calls and watched television shows all night long. He taught me the most important thing I use today in maintaining healthy friendships... "To lessen the expectations involved in a friendship.".
However, when we graduated from High School... he moved to New Jersey. And I stayed here to continue my studies in DLSU-D. Like I said before, I still do consider him my best friend. Although he lives thousands of miles away from here, I will still recognize him as a best friend.
***
And now, I'm in College. With me is the first friend I ever made in the Philippines... and we share similar pasts. Everyone knows that. His dad retired from the US Army almost at the same time my own dad retired from the US Navy. We both went to the same private school on the same exact first day (November 29, 1998 I think). We're both about the same age (from 1985). We both have similar interests despite our many differences.
And that's exactly it. We've overcome our differences. We were room mates last year and now, even if we're not room mates... we can talk to each other about almost anything. It's called Mutual Dialogue.
I've known him for almost five years and I know him enough that he isn't the type who loves to say the word "friend". He's the cool type. How Aquarius of him. Hahaha. What I mean to say here, combined with what my best friend in High School taught me... is to lessen the expectations. I consider Lance my best friend now and he doesn't need to say anything in return...
You have too many best friends...
This was the statement that I heard from someone close to me recently. I wasn't offended. I wasn't hurt. Nor do I believe that the statement is anymore true than birds swimming underground. It's just disappointing but in the end I disappoint myself.
I'm not even supposed to disclose this information, but I wanted to get it out me. I have so much stress lately in the things that I do and I can't tolerate anymore misunderstandings.
First of all, I would like to apologize to the entire world. The concept of a best friend is that this person will be with you when everyone else is busy and doing something.
But, in my life, I've never spent any longer than five years in one place. My father was stationed in Okinawa, than in San Francisco, than in San Diego... and it was hard to sustain one of those "lifetime friendships".
So, with that in mind, I guess we can piece it together. To me, a best friend is a person who will best represent the time and place I was at. A best friend that was with me through thick and thin. We would have countless arguments but still get it together in the end. Someone I can lean on, someone that I can trust, someone that I will always know will be there to stop me from ruling the world or to push me into changing the world. Naks.
Jeornee Reyes was my best friend in Okinawa Japan before I left. And when I lived in the Philippines, as much as he is still a best friend to me, we cannot spend a single moment together sharing jokes and talking about girls, cars, and studies like we used to. Duh. He's in Japan, I'm in the Philippines. I still look at him as a best friend because we shared so much when we were together in Japan.
And now, the best and primary example is Ralph Bryan Fuerte. He is the one and only best friend I considered during my High School years. We had phone calls and watched television shows all night long. He taught me the most important thing I use today in maintaining healthy friendships... "To lessen the expectations involved in a friendship.".
However, when we graduated from High School... he moved to New Jersey. And I stayed here to continue my studies in DLSU-D. Like I said before, I still do consider him my best friend. Although he lives thousands of miles away from here, I will still recognize him as a best friend.
***
And now, I'm in College. With me is the first friend I ever made in the Philippines... and we share similar pasts. Everyone knows that. His dad retired from the US Army almost at the same time my own dad retired from the US Navy. We both went to the same private school on the same exact first day (November 29, 1998 I think). We're both about the same age (from 1985). We both have similar interests despite our many differences.
And that's exactly it. We've overcome our differences. We were room mates last year and now, even if we're not room mates... we can talk to each other about almost anything. It's called Mutual Dialogue.
I've known him for almost five years and I know him enough that he isn't the type who loves to say the word "friend". He's the cool type. How Aquarius of him. Hahaha. What I mean to say here, combined with what my best friend in High School taught me... is to lessen the expectations. I consider Lance my best friend now and he doesn't need to say anything in return...
Sunday, August 17, 2003
A TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Year 2 - Starting Week #11
Background Music: "You Don't Miss Your Water" by Craig David
NOTE: A Weekly post made before moving back into my Dorm in La Salle on Sunday nights.
TIME is moving fast because the Midterm Examinations are already next week. I'm really drained right now and I'm longing for a relaxing break, but it's not happening. The feeling right now is like swimming exhausted in the center of an olympic sized swimming pool.
I've noticed my drinking has been quite casual the past month (1 month, not just August). From Vodka Cruiser Melon flavor to a San Mig Light with my dad to two San Mig Lights which made me the most tipsy I've been before (stress + fatigue + puyat + 2 San Mig Light = Real Tispy) and then there goes Eastwood and then last Friday at Inazalle another San Mig Light and a Php 40.00 worth of Caramel Chill drink with a pinch of alcohol.
I still drink moderately. I've never been drunk on any of the past occasions. I don't recall ever being drunk in my entire life. Usually people get drunk after their first time drinking or if they drink suddenly after a long long period of not drinking. But since I've been drinking fairly light (and once again, casually)... I think it's like walking on water.
The world should fear the day that George Putong gets drunk.
I'm getting there.
***
Majority of my stress is coming from my work for the Heraldo Filipino. It was balanced with the news articles until the Decreto ones were suddenly tossed over and made me lose my balance. Throw in a bunch of apprentice watching you and you got a clash of panic and responsibility to show to the others.
Since HF has consumed majority of my non-academic time, my membership in the AB Comm Channel has also had an effect. Nothing is happening to my membership directly, but my active participation in this exclusive organization has taken some toll. I'm still doing my best to helping out, but at times, I just can't.
Tropa-wise, we still have our dinner night outs. We're never complete, there's always someone missing I think. And if we were complete, we don't sit at the same table. I started a joint blog project with the tropa, click here to see it.
I made a list of songs for two CDs Eric could have burned for me. I made it Friday afternoon and on Saturday morning he gave the two CDs to me already. I'll list the songs on one of the CDs, which happens to be the first CD in my life to contain ALL good songs that I like and had listed:
Where is the Love, American Life, Can't Hold Us Down, No Letting Go, Do I Need a Reason, Flexin, 21 Questions, Why Don't You and I, Stuck, Don't Treat Me Like a Fool, Numb, I'm a Slave 4 U, Get Busy, Crazy in Love, Rock Wit U, You Don't Miss Your Water, Intuition, Swing Swing, Senorita, and The Next Episode.
Woah! THANKS ERIC for the CD. IT'S AWESOME!! I love it. And you gave it so fast too!
***
This incoming week, we've set up two reunions. It wasn't my idea to call it a reunion but one of my classmates did (Wilda) so I guess I'll use that term.
REUNION #1- all of us in class that used to hang together so much will be eating together (for the first time in nearly four weeks) at Inazalle for Lunch on Tuesday. Everyone, even Eric and Kate from HF to Jezire and Company from Badge's dorm. We will all eat together just like before.
REUNION #2- Broadjourn Dormers Night Out, which has been delayed for over a month now, will continue this week on some night. I'm not sure which night, but it will continue and we will all try to be COMPLETE.
***
Right now I feel like I'm lacking time. Time everywhere. I learned something that has echoed in my head ever since it was recalled in a Reed103: Church lesson last week. It's that "There is a time for everything.".
There is a time for everything.
If there is...
There's a time for making articles.
There's a time to skip class for interviews.
There's a time to smile and laugh.
There's a time to walk fast and hurry.
There's a time for sleeping.
There's a time for not sleeping.
There's a time for eating out with friends.
There's a time for eating by yourself.
There's a time to cut things short!
What happened this past weekend?
- Mom tells me the Ref was on fire last week. But it still looks the same to me. Guess they repaired it fast.
- The Living Room area has this nice big space when they moved the furniture.
- The cable signal in my room and in the house is getting worse.
- I watched again and again the TATARIN performance of my class, and enjoyed the entire thing. No one choreographed it but ourselves, and I'm proud of my class!
- I listened to my two new burnt CDs all weekend.
- I surfed as much as I could, but the internet is still bad. We're using E-Volve Pacific Internet cards.
- Blackout in New York area goes away.
- Stood up throughout mass; church was overcrowded!
- Banners and Fiesta stores are starting to appear throughout town
- There's no AXN still...
- The Amazing Race 4 is coming to an next week...
***
And now, the four pillars:
Academics/JOU2-1. Believe it or not, but we're performing TATARIN again this Wednesday! I'm not sure if we're going to be rejudged or it's what they say it is... just a performance for all the top four winners! This week I'm going to try my best in regaining all remaining lost ground for the Midterms in all subjects.
Heraldo Filipino. Decreto and News Feature articles are the troublesome this week for me in the HF. Hopefully I see some layouting for both LS and HF broadsheet 2 this week. I'm getting closer to the Apprentice and I hope this continues.
AB Comm Channel. Shootings, tapings, and production work already. That's for those who are available though. And right now, I can't make myself available. But I'm trying.
Dormitory/Tropa. I'm now including the tropa into this fourth pillar. Basically the dorm is okay. My corner of the room is clean. My cabinet is organized. I have snacks but I lack drinks. I got all the music I need and all the pillows to comfort me on a long long day. I just wish that Kyle would go to class and Alex would finish those oragami swans he's hanging up. In the tropa, here's to more night outs. But please bear with me for Broadjourn Dormers Night Out the Reunion. Naks.
***
Prayer: For sleeping early throughout week...
Saturday, August 16, 2003
THIS GUY'S IN LOVE WITH
The Damage Report - Year 2 - Ending Week #10
Background Music: "This Guy's In Love With You" by Parokya Ni Edgar
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
MY cellphone was ringing 1 o'clock in the morning (of Tuesday after Monday's midnight) in my dorm room. My two room mates were already sleeping and the only light that was on in the room was the one on my study table.
As always, my cellphone was on silent mode. The number was a coming from a certain 0927-xxx-xxxx. At first, it was this "Twilight Zone" feeling. Who the hell would be calling me at this time.
It stopped and then it repeated. The signal in my dorm room was bad, but still whoever this person was, they kept reaching my cellphone. I didn't want to go outside into the dark hallway to answer it. Plus, I was doing some paperwork at the time. Instead, I decided to save the number and txt this person in the morning.
[name: UNKNOWN] - [number: 0927xxxxxxx] - Number saved
Moments later I was starting to have anxiety attacks. I was suddenly afraid of seeing my 3210 blink and vibrate as a certain "UNKNOWN" was calling. That was even more twilight-zone-ish. Instead, I renamed the entry as "Girlfriend Mo!" so it would make me laugh and feel cheerful.
Eventually, "Girlfriend Mo!" ringed in a few more times until finally it all stopped. After finishing my paper work I fell asleep.
***
Tuesday - Deadline Day
Tuesday morning and I'm up and about already. My brain was still swolen from the stress of eight articles and not a single interview done yet. It was deadline day.
I had received the txt msg on my 3210. And it was from that number. It explained in bad english something like "Is this George? Is it okay if we become friends? Because the first time I saw you, I think I'm fallen for you."
I finished the message for a smile. Wow. I have an admirer. Who wouldn't smile? I'm not into text-mates and eye-balls, but with all the stress in the world at that time... a simple "text-break" wouldn't hurt.
I didn't reply though.
There was this terrible brownout in the admin building (and also the dormitories). The office was extremely hot and the weather was intensely humid. I noticed only the apprentice were inside of the office. Matt Ventura and my dorm mate since last year Tom Wagan were inside. A.B. of BCS2-1, also a 2nd year, was in the office as well. I was the only Junior Staffer there, and the rest of the Editorial Board and staffers weren't there.
I got to meet them more. I now call them the "Brownout Club" since we semi-bonded. After talking for nearly two hours and roaming the 2nd floor of the admin with my other classmates in PAG... I called it a night and went back to the dorms.
The tropa would eat dinner at McDo so we went there. I received more txt from "Girlfriend Mo!" and for the first time, I decided to reply right then and there.
[Ano course mo?] I asked.
[BSEE at TUP] this person replied.
[How did you get my number?] I asked.
[Friend of a friend. I'm from Tanza. I work at JB Tanza. I saw you there.] this person replied.
[How did you get my number?] I repeatedly asked.
[Can I come over to your house?] this person replied.
[I go to the dorm. And no, I don't let anyone go to my house.] I replied.
[Can we be friends?] this person asked.
[Sure, why not.] I replied.
A few french fries later...
[I bet you're wondering if I'm a guy or a girl. Honestly, I'm a guy...] he replies.
"THIS GUY'S IN LOVE WITH YOU, PARE"
"BADING NA BADING SA 'YO!"
My face froze up. My whole body couldn't move. I only felt my stomach and my chest trying to breathe. I asked Tony, who was sitting opposite me, to join me outside. He didn't move or seem to understand. So, I stood up. Looked at the whole table... they were all busy eating their meals.
I walked outside. And then I was sinking into an abyss of shock and awe. Every day of my life there's a surprise... this one is definantly one of them.
I entered McDo again and the whole table looked at me. I sat down and I couldn't help but keep the news in me. I passed the cellphone to Abbie, who thought some girl had the hots for me.
I watched Abbie's eyes browse through the message. When suddenly she covered her mouth in shock as well. She started laughing and I started laughing like crazy. And I started to lightly shout...
"Some guy's in love with ME!"
AHHHHHHHHH. O. M. G.
***
We returned to the dorms later on after much talk about who this mystery person is. This person works at a fast food restuarant in Tanza. Says he saw me there. Says got my number through some "Mark" of Tanza.
I'm no fool. I'm a journalist! I instantly went into research and started to contact potential sources.
Jerson, a former classmate, works at that fast food place.
Kate, my classmate and friend, befriended this person thru txt and got more info.
Jason, my dorm mate, gave me pointers on dealing with prank txters and helped me prevent disclosing any further delicate information about myself.
Teenah, my friend and class president, conducted her own findings of this person's whereabouts.
Eventually, this is what emerged:
- Joo Ralph Paguio
- 18 years old, from Tanza Cavite
- Studies BSEE at TUP Dasmarinas
- Says "I love you" to a guy... therefore: GAY or BISEXUAL
***
It's not just me okay! Mark had a gay stalker who called him "baby". The modelling agent who found Aldrich is gay and they're supposed to meet but this guy keeps txting him these quotes. Lance really hates gay stalkers. I'm sure all the other guys of the tropa (Brian, Basil, Karl...) have had their own. It's a typical thing for them, but now it's happened to me!
Well, in a world fleeting with stress I treated this person who was txting me like an ordinary friend. I mean, that's what he wants right? But if he makes any wrong move on this "friend" he wants me to be to him... that's when the fire will rise. The invisible fire.
***
Wednesday - Stress Tabs Please
I woke up, tired once more, around noon and already planned on not attending the two classes I had in the afternoon. I would use that time to flush down all the articles I needed to do by conducting all the interviews possible.
I made it to the staff meeting and afterwards three sections called my name. Kuya Marthy called for a FEATURE meeting, Kuya JD called for a DECRETO meeting, and Ate July called for a NEWS writers meeting. All at the same time.
Geezus Kryst!
I just entered the conference room of the office and didn't care which of the three it was. There, Ate Chiqui and Kuya JD combined Decreto and News meetings. I did go to the office and we did speak about the articles. Eventually my articles would be lessened. From eight heavy articles, it was narrowed down to three for news and two for Decreto. Down to five articles from eight. I was now able to work with control, and most importantly, balance.
I returned to the dorms a bit relieved. Three things collided on Wednesday night.
(a) PAG GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Alumni Hall
(b) CBA GEN. ASSEMBLY "BOMBA", Lake Park
(c) ON-CAMPUS DORM AQUAINTANCE PARTY, E-House
I attended the on-campus dorm party of course. Lance was the emcee with a girl from COM1-1 and Roxanne, a schoolmate in High School, was also there.
We partied and it was the most successful party in the dorms, ever, I believe. Everyone danced. I thought no one would, but they did. They seemed to enjoy it. And it's my fault Abbie wasn't dancing. Everyone in our tropa that was there was dancing except I was so tired I was sitting down. So Abbie was sitting down as well... perhaps If I jumped up and started dancing she would also dance.
Everyone asked me at the dorm later.
"Abbie... she didn't dance! I thought she was the kind who loves to dance!" I heard from someone in the tropa. It wasn't Lance, Aldrich, or Kevin though.
I felt guilty! Hahaha. But seriously, I was tired.
***
Thursday - Two Birds with One Stone
I was absent in Consti and first half of Computer just to interview Mr. Rodelon del Mundo, chair of the Marketing Department and then Dean Aquino Garcia of the College of Liberal Arts for my two news articles related to the Marketing grandslams and the Vandalism of the Parliamentary room.
***
Friday - Drinks at Inazalle Again
After practicing a bit of Egyptian in PHED103: "Exotic" Dance, the rest of the day was just normal. I treated Lance to a San Mig Light. It was Lance, Kelvin, Kevin, and myself at Inazalle. I had a San Mig Light and a Caramel Chill with a pinch of alcohol. Kelvin and Kevin did a bottoms up with one San Mig Light... Lance and I laughed at their reactions afterwards. Hahaha. And at the dorms, I spent the whole night and morning typing and brushing up on the two articles I have for news after finding out Eric's and Maycee's had been scraped and asked to be re-made. Yikes.
***
Saturday - Submitting the News Articles
Lance and Kevin where with me in the CR-V on the way home. Kevin up to the high way (in front of AMA) and Lance at Tejero, Gen. Tri., Cavite.
***
Sorry for the rush, I have to sleep...
Monday, August 11, 2003
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
Our Tropa celebrates its Six Monthsary in Eastwood
AFTER planning for the past few weeks, the outing pushed through last Saturday night. I stayed at La Salle all Saturday and fixed up what could be fixed up at the dorm and even at the HF Office despite my current article making crisis.
I waited for all the med students (Lance, Aldrich, etc.) to finish their classes and we all gathered there at the dorms around late afternoon on Saturday. Together with Gaile and her three girlfriends, we proceeded to the ATC Sakayan near the Highway.
We basically occupied the whole van so we paid for the remaining two vacant seats for an additional 6 pesos each. We headed for ATC and arrived there when it was night time already.
We met with Alex, Len, Joel, and Abbie at Starbucks and we stayed at ATC from early evening until around 10 o'clock in the evening. Basil was with Gaile. I was with anyone. We did a lot of waiting again and I had Lance go with me in getting batteries for my digital camera. Once I had the camera up again, I started taking pictures.
We all got inside Joel's big van. He sat in the front. Aldrich and Abbie were to my left and right respectively in the first middle seat. The second middle seat had Lance, Kevin, Basil, and Gaile wedged there. And the back seat was occupied by Alex, Len, and Ninz.
We got to Eastwood and it was my first time there. I was expecting the place to be filled with many people that looked similar to us... but instead what I found were people in their mid 20s roaming around.
The place looked awesome and I wanted to explore. But I noticed I looked extremely young when placed side by side with the crowds there. I was disappointed, but in my head I was thinking that maybe one day soon in the future I'll look just like those people. I imagined what if Eastwood is my place to hang out after finishing an article at a local newspaper or finishing a meeting with some Segment Producers of some TV Channel. Guess I'll never know.
We literally went bar-hopping. If we were rejected in one place, we went to another. Hahaha. We were asked for our IDs several times and it was hilarious at the same time annoying. We did have IDs, our DLSU-D IDs. We didn't go into Blue Onion, the place they said they went last time. We didn't go inside Ipanema (except Joel and Kevin) due to the guard suddenly questioning everyone for their age and ID. We were questioned at The Basement, but we were allowed in after showing our College IDs and after Basil changed footwear since he was originally wearing sandals.
We went inside and it was dark and very deep. Very crowded. It was the real thing though. Nothing compared to Spirits Disco up in Baguio City last summer. This place was filled with the people you'd see on TV in those Bar, Club, and Resto commercials.
We didn't sit down anywhere since there wasn't a single place to sit at. The entrance fee was Php 150.00 with 2 consumable drinks. I only drank one of the two drinks, which was a San Mig Light.
When everyone started to dance, we joined in. It was the most crowded Dance Floor I've ever been to, but it was all fun. It was body to body in there. Alex kept jumping. Len kept diving in. Aldrich and Kevin and Ninz were laughing and dancing while this seemingly tall woman was behind them. Only to find out later that the tall woman was actually a tall drag queen. Hahaha.
No, it wasn't a gay bar or club. Actually, there were lots of nice girls in there. There was a program going on. Wait, that sounds too formal. There was an event going on. Q-Club-London was there and a presenter from MTV Philippines was at the DJ's booth.
We danced and danced until at one point I got really really tired I nearly collapsed. Good thing there was a chair there were I could lean my back on for just a moment.
We left later and went outside for some fresh air. We sat on the sidewalk, I don't know why. I wanted to sit on those tables though. We were in front of Jack's Loft area.
Later on (which was around 2am) we ate at Fazoli's Italian Place. I was feeling sick to my stomach at that time but I still ate as best as I could.
After eating we all agreed that we were all tired. We could have gone for more partying but Gaile was sleepy and I was feeling sick. We sat by the sidewalks and waited for Joel to return. He and Kevin went into Ipanema. Joel didn't want to go yet.
We took pictures in the meantime and absorbed the early morning scene of Eastwood. The people lessened every few minutes but the music and the lights were still active.
I also took a survey of everyone in the tropa. The person who drank the most was Joel with 6 San Mig Lights (3 in The Basement, 3 in Ipanema). Everyone else drank 1 or 2 San Mig Lights I think. I'm not sure about Karl, since he was with his ex-girlfriend Shalome. The person who drank the least was Basil and Gaile, they didn't drink.
The person who spent the most was Karl with P1,300 and the person who spent the least was Len I think with less P350. I spent around P400.
Joel finally came and the music at The Basement (our chosen club/bar of the outing) was really good and tempting... but I was just so tired.
We finally took off and headed to Camp Aguinaldo to Joel's house. The house was the house of the Vice Chief-of-Staff by the way, his dad Mr. Rodolfo Garcia.
They chit chatted and I fell asleep and in the morning we would leave in two batches after a delicious breakfast.
I hate to make this entry so short but I'm typing this 3 o'clock in the morning. The pictures say it all and the memories as well. I loved this outing and I enjoyed it. I want to go out more! Thanks guys for such a great time. ^_^
Our Tropa celebrates its Six Monthsary in Eastwood
AFTER planning for the past few weeks, the outing pushed through last Saturday night. I stayed at La Salle all Saturday and fixed up what could be fixed up at the dorm and even at the HF Office despite my current article making crisis.
I waited for all the med students (Lance, Aldrich, etc.) to finish their classes and we all gathered there at the dorms around late afternoon on Saturday. Together with Gaile and her three girlfriends, we proceeded to the ATC Sakayan near the Highway.
We basically occupied the whole van so we paid for the remaining two vacant seats for an additional 6 pesos each. We headed for ATC and arrived there when it was night time already.
We met with Alex, Len, Joel, and Abbie at Starbucks and we stayed at ATC from early evening until around 10 o'clock in the evening. Basil was with Gaile. I was with anyone. We did a lot of waiting again and I had Lance go with me in getting batteries for my digital camera. Once I had the camera up again, I started taking pictures.
We all got inside Joel's big van. He sat in the front. Aldrich and Abbie were to my left and right respectively in the first middle seat. The second middle seat had Lance, Kevin, Basil, and Gaile wedged there. And the back seat was occupied by Alex, Len, and Ninz.
We got to Eastwood and it was my first time there. I was expecting the place to be filled with many people that looked similar to us... but instead what I found were people in their mid 20s roaming around.
The place looked awesome and I wanted to explore. But I noticed I looked extremely young when placed side by side with the crowds there. I was disappointed, but in my head I was thinking that maybe one day soon in the future I'll look just like those people. I imagined what if Eastwood is my place to hang out after finishing an article at a local newspaper or finishing a meeting with some Segment Producers of some TV Channel. Guess I'll never know.
We literally went bar-hopping. If we were rejected in one place, we went to another. Hahaha. We were asked for our IDs several times and it was hilarious at the same time annoying. We did have IDs, our DLSU-D IDs. We didn't go into Blue Onion, the place they said they went last time. We didn't go inside Ipanema (except Joel and Kevin) due to the guard suddenly questioning everyone for their age and ID. We were questioned at The Basement, but we were allowed in after showing our College IDs and after Basil changed footwear since he was originally wearing sandals.
We went inside and it was dark and very deep. Very crowded. It was the real thing though. Nothing compared to Spirits Disco up in Baguio City last summer. This place was filled with the people you'd see on TV in those Bar, Club, and Resto commercials.
We didn't sit down anywhere since there wasn't a single place to sit at. The entrance fee was Php 150.00 with 2 consumable drinks. I only drank one of the two drinks, which was a San Mig Light.
When everyone started to dance, we joined in. It was the most crowded Dance Floor I've ever been to, but it was all fun. It was body to body in there. Alex kept jumping. Len kept diving in. Aldrich and Kevin and Ninz were laughing and dancing while this seemingly tall woman was behind them. Only to find out later that the tall woman was actually a tall drag queen. Hahaha.
No, it wasn't a gay bar or club. Actually, there were lots of nice girls in there. There was a program going on. Wait, that sounds too formal. There was an event going on. Q-Club-London was there and a presenter from MTV Philippines was at the DJ's booth.
We danced and danced until at one point I got really really tired I nearly collapsed. Good thing there was a chair there were I could lean my back on for just a moment.
We left later and went outside for some fresh air. We sat on the sidewalk, I don't know why. I wanted to sit on those tables though. We were in front of Jack's Loft area.
Later on (which was around 2am) we ate at Fazoli's Italian Place. I was feeling sick to my stomach at that time but I still ate as best as I could.
After eating we all agreed that we were all tired. We could have gone for more partying but Gaile was sleepy and I was feeling sick. We sat by the sidewalks and waited for Joel to return. He and Kevin went into Ipanema. Joel didn't want to go yet.
We took pictures in the meantime and absorbed the early morning scene of Eastwood. The people lessened every few minutes but the music and the lights were still active.
I also took a survey of everyone in the tropa. The person who drank the most was Joel with 6 San Mig Lights (3 in The Basement, 3 in Ipanema). Everyone else drank 1 or 2 San Mig Lights I think. I'm not sure about Karl, since he was with his ex-girlfriend Shalome. The person who drank the least was Basil and Gaile, they didn't drink.
The person who spent the most was Karl with P1,300 and the person who spent the least was Len I think with less P350. I spent around P400.
Joel finally came and the music at The Basement (our chosen club/bar of the outing) was really good and tempting... but I was just so tired.
We finally took off and headed to Camp Aguinaldo to Joel's house. The house was the house of the Vice Chief-of-Staff by the way, his dad Mr. Rodolfo Garcia.
They chit chatted and I fell asleep and in the morning we would leave in two batches after a delicious breakfast.
I hate to make this entry so short but I'm typing this 3 o'clock in the morning. The pictures say it all and the memories as well. I loved this outing and I enjoyed it. I want to go out more! Thanks guys for such a great time. ^_^
Sunday, August 10, 2003
TEMPORARY MADNESS
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Year 2 - Starting Week #10
Background Music: "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life" by S. Orrico
NOTE: A Weekly post made before moving back into my Dorm in La Salle on Sunday nights.
EIGHT articles. Yes. That's exactly the problem. Eight! All due by mid-week and not a single solid interview conducted! I'm now overstressed. Over fatigued. In all aspects. Physical, Mental, Emotional. I'm wearing down!!
But I had fun last Saturday night at Eastwood.
I made our tropa outing to EASTWOOD my stress reliever. It sorta worked. I only drank one San Mig Light and all I did was dance in this really crowded dance floor with flashing lights. It was all good.
I'm going to make this the shortest Carpe Noctem, it has to be sacrificed so I could gain a few extra minutes of sleep.
This is by far the shortest weekend I've spent at home this 2nd Year College. I'm even lucky I got to go home. My plan was to just stay in DLSU-D for two weeks straight just to get things done.
Right now, it's like I want to let go of HF and AB Comm Channel and just move on with studies. But then I always remember, HF is chained to me and the AB Comm Channel has certain expectations I have no plan on failing.
Grades are so-so and I am certainly not satisfied with them. I can do better. I know I can. I'm just trying to get into the mainstream in studying and reciting. I'm not there yet since I haven't advanced read anything.
Like I said, I'm keeping this short. Please bear with me. My body might just give in and I'll fall over unconscious.
Lack of sleep. Lack of sleep. Lack of sleep.
Lack of breakfast. Lack of lunch. Lack of dinner.
My health is deteriorating. And I fear this week won't do anything good to my health either. I hope this is just temporary, not permanent, madness.
***
Here are the four pillars:
Academics/JOU2-1. I love you guys. 3rd Place tayo like last year, kahit na... at least we performed and did our best. I'm proud of everyone. Cheers to the class and to the new line-up of Class Officers to be voted this week. Unless we can do something about it. Heheh.
Heraldo Filipino. Overloaded. Source of current extreme stress.
AB Comm Channel. I'm asking for a two week hiatus from the shootings and tapings. I'm submitting the propsal ASAP to Jude and to Mr. H. Palad.
Dormitory. Clean-up and maintainance. Yun lang.
***
I'm soooooooooooo f*cking tired....
ANG PAGOD AT PAWIS NG TATARIN
The Damage Report - Year 2 - Ending Week #09
Background Music: "Mr. Suave" by Parokya Ni Edgar
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
BUWAN ng Wika once again and just like exactly a year ago, our block section participated in the parade. At least that shows how active we are! Well actually, it's all in the professor if he or she decides to let his or her class battle the other classes and their professors.
I spent MONDAY scrambling from practice for the Buwan ng Wika performance to attending a meeting for the AB Comm Channel and for Heraldo Filipino. Mondays for me are now titled "Org Day".
JOU2-1 would be doing the movie TATARIN for the Parada ng Pelikula. I was assigned to Sounds and I then I assigned myself to Documentation just like last year when we were JOU1-1 and did the "Burhams Tragedy Re-enactment".
I was frantic on finding a sound system for the competition part of the parade to be held at the Rotonda. I went from our adviser Mr. H. Palad to the CLASC President Kuya Mikoy. From 3rd Year AB Comm friends like Jude and Hanni to the CPC President (Ate) Ella. The Filipino Department did some fingerpointing and I was getting no where.
Alas, I gave up when I heard that a Kareoke system was to be installed. I craved for a louder sound system, but that'll do. I headed for the dorms and then to Heraldo Filipino feeling the onslaught of over six articles to work on and trouble setting interviews.
***
TUESDAY came and it was the day before the events. The weather was cloudy and there were some rainshowers throughout the day. We practiced during all breaks and we were all feeling that frustration due to lack of practice.
But like Teenah said one year ago... she is amazed by how our block section squeezes all there efforts in the last five minutes before the show. It's that sudden burst of energy, effort, and power to perform that has led our class into performance level ratings.
I'm not bragging but I'd like to boast out due to sheer frustration of how little our course is still that our block section seems to be the most active block out of all Broadjourn sections. Do I need to proove it? Haha. We have four in the Teatro Lasalliana, four in the Heraldo Filipino, three in the AB Comm Channel, two in the DLSU-D Chorale, 1 in the Pointes and Flexes Dance Troupe, 1 in the Filipiniana Dance Company, 2-3 in the Ex Cathedra, 1 in the DLSU-D Speech Club, etc.
We've participated actively in dance competitions, parades, special competitions, and awards nights. So active someone labeled us as "parang High School"... but it's all this activeness that looks so damn good in our future resumes. Plus, all of these things make our College Life FUN, not BORING. *Ahem*
Sings: "I don't brag, I mostly boast." ^_^
And with the Broadjourn Program Council, I don't know what's up right now. Only one thing has been achieved as far as I've clearly seen which was the Freshmen Orientation for Broadjourn.
***
The big day was on WEDNESDAY and it was cloudy again. I woke up late for the General Rehersal, but that's down on my attendance not performance since I'm not even dancing. No way I'm going to dance half-naked with my current body frame. If I was macho gwapito or something, yeah, why not show off those abs, chest, shoulders, and biceps... but right now? Ugh. Pass.
I joined my classmates near PLS where the assembly point was at. I passed by other block sections with their movies. I saw Roxanne Guinoo, a schoolmate in Atheneum before, with Mano Po by Psychology 1-3. I saw Francis, Lance's roommate in F4, holding the Bagong Buwan banner of Nursing 1-3. I also saw Dhenyvoi of HRM1-1 holding up their banner as well.
Shayne, BJPC President, was also there on the side next to us.
I saw my classmates and the moment was there once again. We were about to compete and perform, something I've been craving our block section to do at least once more in our College lives. It was fun watching them... altogether... dancing.
It was fun being with them along the way across our campus.
It was fun laughing at the same time noticing the block section in front of us and behind us looking at us probably wishing they could break free and dance wildly like some of my classmates did.
As I passed by the audiences that watched from CBA up to Square Canteen up to the SBC... I noticed the reaction of the other students. "Tatarin!" I heard from one. "Bakit meron mga talong nakadikit sa branch ng tree?" is something I heard from another.
It was just temporary madness! Only three 2nd year sections participated. We can't participate next year since we don't have a Filipino subject anymore. The other two 2nd year block sections were BSA/BSM2-1 (my dorm mate and friends Tom and Mark) with the movie "Engkanto" and PSY2-1 with the movie "Jose Rizal".
The rest were First Year sections. Sadly, no JOU1-1 or JOU1-2 were involved. And the only AB Comm section involved was COM1-2 with the experimental movie "Himala". Read about them later, because something sad happened.
The class dancers in Tatarin cheered like crazy and danced wildly as we all entered the JFH and CLA grounds. A lot of people were there. Finally, since the parade was in alphabetical order... the first movie to compete happened while the rest of the parade stopped. We stopped right in front of JFH and PCH-facing-the SBC.
I went ahead to the competition area to get some good ground for the sounds. I disappeared into the crowds at the Rotonda to search for the Kareoke system, only to find none! I txt'd the others and told them there wasn't any but I don't think they got the messages I txt'd.
Movie after movie performed. Some of them were a bit common already. The "Shouting and the Drama" ones... to me, are too common. Nevertheless they did it and it was alright. I personally liked how daring Markova was done, which was by a 1st Year Nursing section filled with so many gays.
Then came COM1-2's "Himala". The Nora Aunor looking gay was on top of the largest and nicest looking float in the whole parade. S/he was starting to give his speech and the audience reacted with awe. "WALANG HIMALA!!!" sabay "STOP" from the person in-charge of time control from the judges. 2 Minutes maximum for performance time was the limit.
You should have seen the look on the surprised, shocked, and angered faces of COM1-2. Even the audience was disappointed. They had prepared and they couldn't even finish. It was extremely disappointing. They could've at least finished their performance.
Then came Tom, new-HF staffer and my dorm mate since last year. He directed and played out his own part in the movie they did "Engkanto". He even choreographed it. The way it was done was freaky and very attractive. The sounds and the dialog was powerful and I loved it. That's where I spotted his classmate and also my dorm mate and friend, Mark. Like me for JOU2-1, he was in charge of sounds for his block section. I asked if I could borrow their sound system and Mark let me.
After them came others like Mano Po, which was cut-off and started late. Sayang. And then finally... the words came from the loud stereophone behind me: "NEXT... IHAHANDOG NG JOURN2-1 ANG PELIKULANG TATARIN!".
I started taking pictures and I pressed the button on the sound system but nothing came out. I wasn't sure if it was probably too weak to be heard amidst the screaming audience behind me... but Keith started playing his drum so I thought it would all be ok.
I took several pictures and enjoyed watching my classmates. ^_^
After they performed I ran and followed them and then they cheered as we left, a signature sign of our block section. Cheerful.
We took pictures as the remaining performances happened and it started to rain exactly when the competition ended. It was all over.
I retrieved the radio from the Filipino Department and returned it to Tom in the Men's dormitory. I rushed to the HF Office to join the Batch 18 Orientation. Tom was already there and Kate was sitting down.
Eventually that ended after Ate Chiqui told everyone what sections they would work for. Kuya Marthy called the New Features Staff to a meeting at Square Canteen.
We spoke for a while at Square Canteen and then returned to the office. And to think it ended there, it didn't. We have new assignments in DECRETO due in a week. I accepted it. But later on I was frustrated at how the assignments came together with my assignments for NEWS.
I was now overloaded at Heraldo Filipino.
EIGHT ARTICLES. Do or Die.
***
Due to all the stress, I'm not even sure what night I went out for the Tropa dinner. Well, one night we took three jeepnees. First we were to eat at 5+2 Chinese place near Manuelaville but as we got off the jeep slowly... a whole line of Chinese students (like 20 of them) walked swiftly to the restaurant ahead of us. It was a "Tropa-mo-ment".
Then we tried Frio Mixx but the rest didn't agree. So we ate at Red Ribbon.
And on another night, we ate at Square Canteen at night. Stayed there until curfew.
And in other notes during the week, there was a Novena for St. Claire at the E-House every single night of the week.
And it was Kyle's Birthday on Thursday.
***
I'm tired so I don't want to enumerate. The pictures say it all anyways. Stress is all I can say happened to me. Kate Mamon and Tom Wagan are now with us in the HF and I'm very happy. There are a lot of new faces to meet and greet now.
Ocho-Ocho was held on Friday and I watched. Fahad Al-Obaidly (Basil's Brother) was a Tenor next to that one really good guy, Kuya Louie?. Then of course there's my classmate Leah Sison and my friend Edward. Of course VPAPU was there and I saw Genesis and Connie and Jerwyn and the rest. Mark watched with me because I asked him to accompany me. It was full house but we still got to sit down. Happy 15th Year DLSU-D Chorale!
***
I would not go home until Sunday afternoon.
The title translated: "The Tiredness and Sweat of Tatarin"
Monday, August 04, 2003
IN THE MIGHTY GUBAT
Carpe Noctem (Seize the Night) - Year 2 - Starting Week #09
Background Music: Music from the movie Tatarin
NOTE: A Weekly post made before moving back into my Dorm in La Salle on Sunday nights.
THIS week we will perform again as a class for the Buwan ng Wika competition. If that doesn't sound tiring enough, there's the tasks of accomplishing interviews for Heraldo Filipino and for estabishing sure plans in the AB Comm Channel. Not to add that I'm very tired already.
I spent the past weekend at home with my mom and brother. My dad returned to the United States and he is currently in San Diego waiting to board an MSC ship. At home, we rented out [Tatarin] from Video City Tanza and I recorded the music of it. I mixed it with the intro to the "Tribal Music" of Matrix Reloaded. I hope my classmates like it, or can easily dance to the music I'm providing them.
So, Tatarin is our movie for the Parada ng Pelikula this Wednesday. I'm not entirely optimistic that we'll bag a top place. First of all, right now there's not a single sure choreographed step. But knowing my classmates and their talents, all the energy and efforts suddenly pop up at the end. That is something both Class President Teenah and I agreed on in a conversation a few months ago.
There's good news by the way. There are now four of us from JOU2-1 that are a part of the Heraldo Filipino! Jaclyn Kate Mamon joins us! We're now even with our JOU2-1 "representatives" for the Teatro Lasalliana. Ayesha is part of the Filipiniana Dance Company as well. Things are looking good right now for JOU2-1 despite the sudden slump of activities the past few months (with exception to this Wednesday).
I've been posted at the myDLSUD FORUMS the past few weeks. I haven't accumulated 50 posts yet which is the minimum limit before receiving a star. I started up the forum [BROADJOURN2-1 and COMPANY] and I'm hoping it can be a place we can interact with our other classmates and our other lasallites here in Dasmariñas.
***
Academics/JOU2-1. I know what I'm about to say is bad, but it's the truth. There seems to be no damn space for Academics this week!!! Ahhh. Basta, lectures and notes and whatever that I can squeeze into this hyperactive week. That's it. And results of grades and collection of research whenever and wherever possible.
Heraldo Filipino. The first week with the new staff! My classmate Kate Mamon and my dorm mate and friend Tom Wagan are now in the Heraldo Filipino as apprentice staff. I'm burstin' into tears of joy over here. This opens up a new chapter for our presence in the HF. On the other hand, it's very dirty... with all the interview slips to secure, create, get signed... and conduction of interviews... it's all very very messy. This is life as a News writer. And then there goes the La Salleno which is running beyond late already... we need to help Kuya Marthy. And of course, there goes the new DECRETO assignments from Kuya JD. And then the NEWS FEATURE with Eric Salta. It's like working for three different publications. Ahhhhh!
AB Comm Channel. I've missed like two to three meetings with them already, but my concept is still alive. Hahaha. In fact, I feel more flexible with the position that I can work with things. The concept that I have was for COM-TV and is about doing something similar to "The Osbournes" and it must have something to do with the Admin/Faculty.
Dormitory. I bought new plates, spoons, forks, and plastic cups! I'm happy now that I can stop eating using other people's utensils at the dorms. I barely eat there anyways, but you... if ever it happens. I also bought a new Bed Sheet and 2 Pillow cases... dark blue with the moon on them. And a brand new plushy pillow. Yep!
***
Para sa isang masayang linggo! Go Broadjourn!
Saturday, August 02, 2003
GOSSIP KILLED THE SNAKE
The Damage Report - Year 2 - Ending Week #08
Background Music: "Where is the Love?" Black Eyed Peas feat. J. Timberlake
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
AFTER a whole two hours of deciding what the hell the title of this entry should be, it finally ended up as the one it is now. It was a conflict between "New Wave Fever" and "A Box-Shaped Story".
A delicate issue erupted this past week due to gossip. First of all, none of what I'm writing here is targeting anyone. This is just an envelope containing my personal analysis and opinion about the situation. Second of all, this issue has no direct connection towards me and shouldn't even be my business. However, the parties involved here are related to me.
I'm not going to talk or dwell upon this issue. The whole point of what I'm trying to say is that if we recall in basic journalism: there are many sides to a single story and that all sides should be analyzed.
The word "rift" is so High School to me, but now, that's what's happening. And quoting my classmate Tope from the myDLSUD forums (under topic: BROADJOURN2-1 and COMPANY) "A smile may be the best cure for a sickness but still friendship can mend [what we call] internal sickness."
Make Love not War, Broadjourn2-1! We must work beyond our faults and work together professionally if we are ever going to get somewhere. Look at us last year when we worked together for the Buwan ng Wika Competition... 3rd Place out of so many contenders!
Anyways, the past week has been a mixer of everything. I guess I can consider it a typical 2nd Year College week. A bit haggard with the sudden release of more assigned News articles for the next Broadsheet and you can add to this a taste of PageMaker when boss Kuya Marthy assigned Eric and I to work on the La Salleno layout... which by the way, feels like a whole century delayed. It's a group effort, and right now, as a group... we're not working efficiently together.
In the dormitory, well it was the same. We did eat out at Red Ribbon on Tuesday night and on Wednesday I wasted what could have been a great morning of planning and working by sleeping until 12nn.
Results for the Preliminary Term marched in. Well, in most subjects that is. I've reached a new high and a disappointing low. In Retorika, it's either 1.0 or entirely failed for the Preliminary term. But that's the only one in the possible red. Another low subject is Reed103: Church, with a disappointing 1.75. A new high? Talk about high... everyone got good scores in Constitution. I'm well over satisfied with my grade in Consti. My classmate Badge should be too, she scored 100.6 with a potential 105.6 if Mr. R.J. Estrada continued with the bonus points he'd give to the class for answering what the vicious cycle was. If Badge had that, she'd have a 4.25... if that existed!
In Computer, it was so-so with a 3.00. Again, the minimum grade I set as a standard for the Prelim term is 2.0. So far, subjects are trying to balance themselves. I don't want another imbalanced set of grades. That is so High School.
***
Wednesday came... Rain... Sun... Rain... Sun... Rain and Sun... they had an election for officers at the dorms... and speaking of elections... I made the JOU2-1 survey that Teenah had requested about the officers issue.
***
Thursday it was this year's version of last year's Freshmania. It was entitled "New Wave Fever (80s style)" compared to last year's 70s style. Except this year it was open to all levels... not just the Freshmen.
However, the first thing that entered my head when I woke up was that the 31st of July which was that specific Thursday was the day we would wish my dad safe journeys as he would return abroad.
I promised I would join my family in dropping him to the airport... which was at the same time with the whole New Wave Fever. Oh man!
Thursday went by and in the evening Lake Park was lively just like those nights last year. Except, I was frustrated since I couldn't watch the bands play or the Pointes' flex. Damn.
The CR-V came and inside it was my dad in a nice green polo I've never seen him wear before. My mom and my brother where there. So was my cousin Kuya Nante and my mom's cousin Kuya Henry, who was the driver.
We left and inside the CR-V I could hear the thump-thump beats from Lake Park. I also saw the nicely made stage background (go VPAPU!!) and the Beat Box people (reminds me of my VPAPU days).
We sped towards Metro Manila quickly... it was just so fast. We stopped by some fried chicken vendor on the side of a street in Bacoor since dad got hungry. It was the first time we ate chicken from "the streets". Nevertheless, it was tasty despite my protests to my dad when I asked him "Is that chicken healthy and safe?".
Down Coastal Road (Php 12.00 for the CR-V) and under the orange street lights again until we enter Terminal 2 of NAIA. It was different from Terminal 1. Terminal 2 looked great and the first thought that came to me other than that sad feeling of having someone you love going away from you was that the place reminded me of THE AMAZING RACE. The airport... the taxis... yep. It all reminded me of my favorite Reality show.
We dropped him and I took a picture of him and recorded 14 seconds of him disappearing into the airport. Then our CR-V drove away. My dad rode on a Philippine Airlines flight bound straight (without stop) to Los Angeles where he would take a bus down to San Diego to report to the MSC Headquarters there.
Clear Horizons dad!
They returned me to La Salle and it was around 9:20pm. The party at Lake Park wasn't over yet! It was supposed to be from 5-8pm... it was almost 9:30pm!! I managed to find my friends Abbie, Len, Gaile, Basil, Alex, Lance, and the rest except Aldrich I think... and I got to watch the final performance of the night which was done by the Pointes and Flexes Dance Troupe.
I saw my classmate Jeremy and my friend Altrinth (BCS2-1) up there. The moves were slick (as always) and I wish I could learn how to dance like them. Nakakainget sila.
We returned to the chinese place at Square Canteen and ordered a few things to eat before returning to the dormitories.
***
On Friday I decided in the morning that I did not want to go home in the evening. Instead, I felt I wanted to just relax at the dorms and maybe go out and eat at Inazalle and have BBQ followed by some light drinking to close the week.
I was running late for PE and Julius waited for me so we could walk to PLS together. In PE, our prof was still absent and I arrived to dance the Italian dance exercises we did last week. But instead of that as our practical, the instructor taught us Chinese dance exercises which where easier. It was weird... a Broadjourn moment... all of us dancing to itty-bitty step chinese moves... and our heads bopping side to side like we were entering a Chinese temple.
After PE I went to Square Canteen with Keith and Teenah and we ate there. I bumped into K-Anne, a High School classmate there. She has long hair now. She transferred from Benilde.
I changed into my normal uniform and joined Keith at ERS and we surfed on the internet. After that, we made it to the Museo grounds at 1pm to join the first practice for the Buwan ng Wika for next week.
Nothing much happened at the practice from my side. It was mostly for the dancers. They did measure each other for the costumes.
In Reed103, we were in five groups each to present something in the third set of handouts. I was with Katz' group and we did street signs and explained how they could be related to our journeys in life. I got the "Wide road turning into a Narrow Road" sign. I goof'd when explaining the last part of my interpretation. What's wrong with me these days?
Then in one game in another presentation we had to put together pieces of F4 posters and they explained it later on. And in the Pass-the-Message Telephone game, I was the one to receive the message from the source... and somehow... we ended up winning. We even won a prize... Nagaraya nuts. Crunchy.
In Art Appreciation we had our first hands-on activity. We went down to the Kubos and did our sculpting activities. In our group, it was clay and we made something out of it... heheh. I took a picture of all the groups working and a picture of our work.
In the evening it started to rain hard and I waited for Kevin at the dorms. Instead, I ended up with Julius, Lance, and Dennyvoi in eating out at Inazalle as planned. After eating some BBQ, we ordered a round of San Mig Light.
The teatro peeps came in... classmates Tope and Arjay included. It was the first time I think a classmate of mine saw me drinking. And then, to add to that, two female friends I made last year from the dorms (Rush and Joyce) entered... both wearing a spaghetti strap top and both had their hair up... so it appeared that they were going somewhere.
It was the first night that I had two beers in a row. Julius ordered another round despite it being 9:00pm and Curfew time already. After the 2nd San Mig Light... light lang... LIGHT LANG... I was just one glass shy of being drunk. I wasn't drunk... but at that point I was extremely tipsy. The singer was singing... the teatro had three tables combined and my friends were there... Rush and Joyce were seated behind me... and my eyes kept going side to side and it made me dizzy.
I couldn't walk straight on the way back to the dorms. I ended up in Tom's room to give him a dry run of an interview for the Heraldo Filipino... but I was TIPSY. It was also the first time (and night) that communication lines have opened to F6's Carlo and Benjo.
I went to my room and eventually all that tipsyness went away. Dennyvoi slept over and we slept around 3:30am. I showed him all my 4th Year HS and 1st Year College pictures.
On Saturday, he joined me again when we ate out at the place above Texas Chicken. Binalot sa Dasma was closed, so we ate at the one next to it.
I was picked up later by Kuya Henry.
***
And that concludes the week.