Saturday, September 14, 2002
AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
The Damage Report - Week #14
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
UPDATES: this post has pictures taken of some events. however, these pictures have not been developed and/or scanned yet. so please return to this entry in the next few weeks for a picture update.
A breath of air. Nature inhaled. Problems exhaled. The first Recollection of our BroadJourn batch took place on Thursday and Friday. But first, a quick recap of the first three days of the week.
On Monday it was going to Barangay Bautista, specifically Zone #10, to continue our surveying of those who resettled into Dasmariñas from Tondo.
On Tuesday it was regular classes and new lessons but an extra in "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" where my classmates have an Oral Examination/Graded Recitation about "Newscasting" which is greatly related to our course. Classmate Emil rocked the class with this extraordinary reporting "exactly like that seen on TV". Jhen messed up a few times but was funny. Erian was also doing good, "first assignment niya!", formal I might add. Endrea and Kuya Rheyan can really project their voices.
On Wednesday after we completed our JOU1-1 "half day" I proceeded back and forth between ERS, HF Office, and CAO. It was a hassel doing so and in the process I lost the nice and simple dark blue Umbrella my mom bought me. I'm saddened by such a loss of Sentimental Value of a brand new umbrella. What sucks is... when it was lost or stolen, it wasn't even being used. It wasn't raining "yet". I just had it with me.
Wednesday was also a time to reflect on the tragic events of 9/11 last year. The day ended with an "All for the love of thee" Production Meeting inside the DLSU-D Chapel with VPAPU and the Talents which would include my classmate William Eusores.
THE JOU1-1 RECOLLECTION on Thursday and Friday
I started Thursday morning with the only class we had during the day, Literature. The Recollection only suspends classes at 11AM on the given school day. After class, I headed with a few classmates to ERS so we can go surfing for the 9 o'clock batch. At ERS I typed a blog entry that you can find here. After finishing at ERS I headed back to my Dorm Room and eventually ended up taking a short nap.
I was too lazy to leave my Dorm Room in advance that I killed time that could have made my trip better later on. I only had 8 shots left in my camera so I needed film. I also didn't have any available soap and extra shampoo, so I knew I had to buy any small packet.
All three things I couldn't buy. I was only in time for the Assembly.
I arrived in Civilian at the front of the DLSU-D Chapel. There about over half of my classmates were standing among the line of bags gathering on the sidewalk. I felt pressured to Register ahead of Kuya Rheyan whom I promised I would wait for. I registered with William the Talented, Jerson from Hometown Tanza, and Christian the Godfather of SM Bacoor.
I got my ID which was exaggerating to wear because the ID was like the size of a half-piece of yellow pad paper hanging on you. My number was "7" and I proceeded to walk around with classmates and having small conversations with them.
Soon mass began and the other block coming with us isn't COM1-3, isn't some "Human Resource Development", but instead is TOURISM. This Recollection would be attended by two Freshmen "Iz-ems" (Journalism/Tourism).
Our class outnumbered the other class and the other block compared to us was quiet. After the mass was a short orientation and we were off to one of the two buses.
As we waited to leave, our professor in Re-Ed himself, Mr. Marvin Lepardo, boarded the bus. He surprised us. Our Recollection Facilitator would be our classroom professor in Re-Ed! The bus roared and cheered as he arrived on the bus. Classmates went camera-crazy (you can't argue with that if you're BroadJourn) and as our bus left the campus, we were singing Videoke songs from the TV Screen.
I was sitting with William. He got the window. And to my left was Block President Tina, sitting on the pull-out chair on the column. MTV and "Eat Bulaga!" was showing on the TV screen. William was listening to his Study Tape for "All for the love of thee" and Tina was sitting there talking to anyone around. Emil and Jeremy continued their queer jokes which made the class laugh a couple of times as we gained some altitude.
We passed Silang and Tagaytay Cavite and entered briefly into Batangas territory, saw the sign "DLSU Charles Huang Conference Center" and took a turn. The bus went around the side of a mountain road and the view was spectacular. A mountain that Kuya Rheyan hiked on before could be seen in the Distance. It reminded me of Survivor Marqueses except this place had more fog and gloomy weather.
The bus dropped us off at the summit of a long road that led us downward to the building of Charles Huang. On the way down we encountered first year PolSci students including Joseph my Dorm Neighbor and Joel my Best Friend also from the Dorms.
The two PolSci sections are heading home and started their way up the inclined road. I passed by Joseph and Joel and spoke to them for a short while then I joined my classmates down at the base of Charles Huang. Another Registration began and soon we were having Merienda in the Cafeteria.
Both Tourism and Journalism went into the Chapel and after a short orientation, we were dismissed to go to our rooms. Suprisingly, the girls were assigned into big rooms in the "Underground" (taking note Room #5 is the lowest and "said-haunted") while the few guys of both Journalism and Tourism (yep, the Tourism class also had more girls) were assigned to the Private Quarters above the main Lobby. Two per room in the Private Quarters.
I honestly wanted the larger rooms so all the guys of BroadJourn could be there and it seemed right rather than having a Private Room. I didn't argue though, no problems with two to a bathroom rather than 15 to a bathroom like downstairs. I took the key to Room 203 and next thing I know I'm standing there in this room. Furnished and making me wish the dorms inside DLSU-D were just like this. Still, the feeling of jitters about stories heard about this place. But to tell you, it was all nothing. It felt clean and clear to me. Nadda. Zip. No ghosts. Nothing like that. Only the "unknown" factor brought in the jitters.
The rest of the evening was a nice session. Registration (the 3rd one) was inside our Conference Room. Arazelli, the purple-loving girl that sits in the front of the classroom, was singing with actions. It's like she went drunk with the microphone, but she was entertaining her classmates. The actual singers of our classroom are DLSU-D Chorale (PAG) peeps like Jonee from Cavite City and Leah from Taguig, as well as Ate Angge who sings in a Choir in her community church and Jessica Mendoza (the next Jessica Soho) who sings with pure heart and soul but not in any choir I know of.
Mr. Lepardo started the session and we began with singing and getting pamplets or little workbooks. The atmosphere was just perfect for a Recollection. The cold night outside up on the side of a mountain overlooking Taal Lake in the darkness. The fairness between the heat and the cold, and our presence of the Broadjourn class as the warmth.
Added our Facilitator was our Professor, we needed no big introductions. Our Professor knew our class already and knew how to enhance our Recollection. He knew what jokes our class would make, and what jokes he could make for our class.
The last sesson of the evening involved us playing ice-breaker games like "Do you love me?" (answer: yes, which means everyone must dash for another seat OR no, the person saying no must pick a description like "people wearing shoes" and those wearing shoes will make a dash for another seat).
The last session also included singing the song "Only Hope", a beautiful song but already expired on my personal playlist since July, then lighting up candles in the center of the room and reflecting in the darkness with our hands open to God. Something that I really felt. Something more than a Retreat I had with my HS Batchmates last February 1 to 3. Shaking of hands and hugging proceeded afterwards in that session and we were off to freetime. Freetime to roam outside in the dark and embrace the cold air. Endrea, Jhen, and I looked at the stars. We saw a shooting star, and my wish was something about the Recollection.
A game of Truth or Dare was also an event in the evening. Around sleeping hours, I started to make my notes for my classmates. An activity for this recollection involved everyone making Envelopes and posting them on a wall so on Friday morning we could post our notes to each other. It reminded me of Elementary School again, but it was an activity that I liked. As a Cancerian, I wanted to express thanks and gratitude to some of my classmates and this was my chance to do so.
On the 2nd Floor, BroadJourn guys took over five rooms. Room 205 had the three "Charmed Ones of BroadJourn" Emil, Jeremy, and Natz in it. Room 204 had the more "cooler suave" guys, Keith the Taekwondo-Computer-DJ and Mark the Ladies' Man kind. Room 203, the center, involved the Org-affiliated guys. That would be William, recently made talent of a Major Prod this December at La Salle Zobel and probee of Teatro, and somewhere there was me. Room 202 housed the "Silent Ones" Kuya Rheyan the Studying and the Hiker and Eric the Writer and Music admirer. The last room at the far end of the hall, Room 201, boxed Godfather Christian who was already sleeping when told to sleep and Jerson my townmate in class (Tanza) who was just wondering around from room to room.
Basically it was quiet since the rules were strict and any noice could be heard as far as the other side of the hall or wing of the upper building. I have no idea how the girls were doing in the "Underground" rooms. Perhaps all that fun and conversation as they are all together in two big rooms. That's okay though, upstairs in the private rooms we had our own things to do like talk and sneak and get busted for not sleeping early.
Midnight approached and Friday the 13th was there. Christian was sleeping and it tossed a bored Jerson over to a bored Kuya Rheyan because Eric was also sleeping. Jerson and Kuya Rheyan joined William and I in our room. The center room had no hallroom window so we could leave the light on without letting anyone know about it. Sound was also trapped in the room because we covered the airspace underneath the door. The main window with the view of the inclined road was the only thing that could expose us as "still awake".
We just "made kwento" and time to time heard the three "Charmed Ones" laughing and joking in Room 205. I sneaked in some innocent Magic Flakes and shared it. We didn't talk about Ghosts or anything, just normal stuff.
It was 3 o'clock in the morning.
I opened my eyes and it was a quarter till 7 o'clock which was the announced Breakfast time. Being late meant paying a 30 peso fee for additional serving and cooking. I quickly woke William up and we joined the other guys outside in the hall.
We went downstairs to eat in the same chairs and table we did the day before. Afterwards I rushed upstairs to take a very ice-cold shower. But still worth it since the bathroom was really furnished by the Center but minus the soap, shampoo, and a towel. I got out and started to clear up my stuff because we had to surrender the room at 0830 hours.
I started writing my notes late and eventually ran out of time. We went cleared the place and now we were stationed downstairs. No more room to call "home". The session began with several games and we sang a few more songs and did more reflecting. We broke up into several groups to share our "Banig ng Buhay" segments in our work tablets or little workbooks. Autographing each others' work tablets also took place. (one page is dedicated to signatures of our classmates)
Another break took place and we had Pansit and Toast in the Cafeteria. Afterwards I had more time to work on my notes, which I was achieving slower then a snail at that time. We headed into the Chapel and BroadJourn took all the front rows of the Chapel- an observation I had. Tourism were in the back and perhaps quietly listening.
We spent nearly an hour rehearsing songs for the mass later, and during that time I was writing my notes. My classmates all finished last night and once again I'm rushing to get something like notes finished. They were all simple "Stay the same!" but with an added thanks or a trait I liked about the specific person. An optional Confession also took place at this time.
Mass took place and it can be concluded by the message of this Recollection according to our Professor/Facilitator, "Love your Enemies. Fight them with Love.".
After mass, Kuya Rheyan and I together decided to take the skinny and eeree stairwell on the side to see if we can shortcut ourselves to the Conference room which was above the Chapel level. The door was locked and I was filled with adrenalin due to these quiet, cold, and twilight stairs. I said to Kuya Rheyan, why not we explore the place. We went down the stairs to each level. Until we reached the very bottom of the stairs. I approached the downwards and saw on a brown closed door the number "5".
I turned into an exclamation point. *Flashback* "Room 5 is the "deepest of the dungeon" and probably haunted".
Kuya Rheyan and I ran back up the stairs which you can add to the opening credits of next season's "The Journalours". We entered the Cafeteria and began to eat Lunch.
Picture taking began and one last session was held. In this last session, Mr. Lepardo said the mass was the proper conclusion and that this session should be to just express ourselves to the class. We are called one by one to pick up the DLSU Rosary, our Recognition Card for Attending this Recollection, and to pick up our envelope from the board. We also had the option to take the microphone and say a few things. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and talk about the development of the BroadJourn Website. Something I should have done back in my HS but I never got the microphone since time ran out.
I got my envelope and I read the notes I got. Thanks to classmates who gave me a note!
An exchange of talents took place. Bianca and Mendy the lost Sex Bomb Dancers did their splits again to J. Lo's music. The class convinced quiet and simple Kaye to do some Ballet. Jeremy from Pointes did a short on-the-spot dance. The four probees of Teatro were called "by popular demand" to do a segment. Tearful Jhen, Shouting William, Lola Arjay, and Mistress Athena took the floor. And as a probee of VPAPU, I returned the chair they used to it's original spot.
After the last session, we were free to get ready for the bus and buy some "pasalubong" (gifts). Lots of picture taking took place outside with the scenery. A Batch picture for our future website. All with the many other cameras. My only film dried out the night before with a group picture in our Private Quarters.
The bus came and we boarded. We climbed up the inclined road with our heavy bags and got on the bus. And we left.
I left a much-needed breath of fresh air. I was now returning to campus with it's Organizations grasping me at the throat. A VPAPU Suprise Birthday Bash and Debut that I knew I had no more energy to go to. The ride to the Recollection was fun and filled with energy but the ride back down to Dasmariñas was just dizzy. Air pressure changing, the refreshing cold become smoggy warm again, and a tired body from this whole trip.
We bid farewell to Tina and Mr. Lepardo in Alfonso Cavite. In Silang Cavite we lost Cindy and Arazelli as they went home there. At Waltermart Dasmariñas we said bye to Eric, Jerson, Jhen, and a bunch of other peeps. Along the way from Waltermart to where I got off we lost Keith, Wilda, Kaye, and Melanie to the off-campus boarding houses they go to. At the Gate 3 we gave up Krystelle and Joy and someone else that I knew got off but didn't see.
The on-campus dormers of DLSU-D got off at Lake Park inside the campus and we marched for our dorms. While Ate Angge, Erian, Kuya Rheyan and them went surfing at ERS. I was with Upper. The mood was now dry and sad. It was back to normal again. Although I was thankful the campus was now few with people since it was just moments before Friday evening.
THE PHYSICAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I headed into my dorm room and opened my door. That same scent and sometimes even stench of Dorm life destroyed the Batangas-mountain air I had in my lungs. I wanted so badly to just go home to Tanza and sleep, rest, and continue my reflecting there.
Instead I had to take out my cellphone and find out how the hell I was to get to the VPAPU Surprise Party which was Mandatory and the other probationary members were working full-time and giving it their hardest to prepare for. I am truely sorry Jerwyn of COM1-1, Sai (HS Rachelle Hererra's ComSci classmate), Kuya Carlo and Ate Ruan, Roi, and the rest of the other probationary members of VPAPU.
That I couldn't attend.
The Original plan was that I would make "pahabol" and rush to the party. But I had no idea where it was in "Windward" and "Windward" is a very big and perhaps confusing place to go to with lots of "dangerous people" at night. At this party I was to host a game of "The Weakest Link" for the five officers celebrating, two of which celebrating their Debut. Then after an overnight stay, I would be back in La Salle Saturday morning at 6 o'clock so my mom can pick me up for "Haggard Weekend'er - Phase III: The Wedding".
So what happened? Dorm neighbors invited me to join them to eat at good ol' Brejanah's instead and I joined them. Kurt and the Twins Davies and Paul. It felt good to be with them and have someone to talk about. I dropped all the sentimental stuff I had in my head about the Recollection just hours before that and went ahead with talking about Kurt's continued problems of loving a high school friend of mine. Lance and Joel where at Robinsons. Lance was there on a "date" (with quotation marks according to Kurt) with that one 3rd Year High School "Golda-like" girl he met recently. Joel there for obvious reasons. Cash for Lance. How mean.
While the three "Taga-Kuwait", Brian (HS batchmate Veejay's ComSci classmate) the Serious, Basil the Loud, and Karl the Nasal where at SM Bacoor.
We returned to the dorms eventually and watched a little bit of Television while I started to pack up. My mom, Uncle, and driver arrived and soon I was home....
THE SPIRITUAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I enjoyed it. My spiritual aura improved and I really felt this Recollection. It reminded me again and again of how amazing my classmates are. I thanked God over and over again and prayed he bless our class. I felt refreshed by this Recollection. If Dorm Life takes me away from the problems at home with relatives. Then [Charles Huang Conference Center] took me away from the pressures at DLSU-D with Organizations. This Recollection was thee breather I needed.
TITLE IN REVIEW: "At the edge of the world." is how it felt being up on [Charles Huang] which was on the side of the forests down the mountain ridge. you can see lake taal and taal volcano in the distance and fog and mist below. clouds were also low and it felt like you were away from it all at some invisible point in the sky observing down below. it felt like looking over "the edge of the world".
The Damage Report - Week #14
NOTE: this is a post that is made to give a summary of events that has happened at DLSU-D during the finished week.
UPDATES: this post has pictures taken of some events. however, these pictures have not been developed and/or scanned yet. so please return to this entry in the next few weeks for a picture update.
A breath of air. Nature inhaled. Problems exhaled. The first Recollection of our BroadJourn batch took place on Thursday and Friday. But first, a quick recap of the first three days of the week.
On Monday it was going to Barangay Bautista, specifically Zone #10, to continue our surveying of those who resettled into Dasmariñas from Tondo.
On Tuesday it was regular classes and new lessons but an extra in "Sining ng Kommunikasyon" where my classmates have an Oral Examination/Graded Recitation about "Newscasting" which is greatly related to our course. Classmate Emil rocked the class with this extraordinary reporting "exactly like that seen on TV". Jhen messed up a few times but was funny. Erian was also doing good, "first assignment niya!", formal I might add. Endrea and Kuya Rheyan can really project their voices.
On Wednesday after we completed our JOU1-1 "half day" I proceeded back and forth between ERS, HF Office, and CAO. It was a hassel doing so and in the process I lost the nice and simple dark blue Umbrella my mom bought me. I'm saddened by such a loss of Sentimental Value of a brand new umbrella. What sucks is... when it was lost or stolen, it wasn't even being used. It wasn't raining "yet". I just had it with me.
Wednesday was also a time to reflect on the tragic events of 9/11 last year. The day ended with an "All for the love of thee" Production Meeting inside the DLSU-D Chapel with VPAPU and the Talents which would include my classmate William Eusores.
THE JOU1-1 RECOLLECTION on Thursday and Friday
I started Thursday morning with the only class we had during the day, Literature. The Recollection only suspends classes at 11AM on the given school day. After class, I headed with a few classmates to ERS so we can go surfing for the 9 o'clock batch. At ERS I typed a blog entry that you can find here. After finishing at ERS I headed back to my Dorm Room and eventually ended up taking a short nap.
I was too lazy to leave my Dorm Room in advance that I killed time that could have made my trip better later on. I only had 8 shots left in my camera so I needed film. I also didn't have any available soap and extra shampoo, so I knew I had to buy any small packet.
All three things I couldn't buy. I was only in time for the Assembly.
I arrived in Civilian at the front of the DLSU-D Chapel. There about over half of my classmates were standing among the line of bags gathering on the sidewalk. I felt pressured to Register ahead of Kuya Rheyan whom I promised I would wait for. I registered with William the Talented, Jerson from Hometown Tanza, and Christian the Godfather of SM Bacoor.
I got my ID which was exaggerating to wear because the ID was like the size of a half-piece of yellow pad paper hanging on you. My number was "7" and I proceeded to walk around with classmates and having small conversations with them.
Soon mass began and the other block coming with us isn't COM1-3, isn't some "Human Resource Development", but instead is TOURISM. This Recollection would be attended by two Freshmen "Iz-ems" (Journalism/Tourism).
Our class outnumbered the other class and the other block compared to us was quiet. After the mass was a short orientation and we were off to one of the two buses.
As we waited to leave, our professor in Re-Ed himself, Mr. Marvin Lepardo, boarded the bus. He surprised us. Our Recollection Facilitator would be our classroom professor in Re-Ed! The bus roared and cheered as he arrived on the bus. Classmates went camera-crazy (you can't argue with that if you're BroadJourn) and as our bus left the campus, we were singing Videoke songs from the TV Screen.
I was sitting with William. He got the window. And to my left was Block President Tina, sitting on the pull-out chair on the column. MTV and "Eat Bulaga!" was showing on the TV screen. William was listening to his Study Tape for "All for the love of thee" and Tina was sitting there talking to anyone around. Emil and Jeremy continued their queer jokes which made the class laugh a couple of times as we gained some altitude.
We passed Silang and Tagaytay Cavite and entered briefly into Batangas territory, saw the sign "DLSU Charles Huang Conference Center" and took a turn. The bus went around the side of a mountain road and the view was spectacular. A mountain that Kuya Rheyan hiked on before could be seen in the Distance. It reminded me of Survivor Marqueses except this place had more fog and gloomy weather.
The bus dropped us off at the summit of a long road that led us downward to the building of Charles Huang. On the way down we encountered first year PolSci students including Joseph my Dorm Neighbor and Joel my Best Friend also from the Dorms.
The two PolSci sections are heading home and started their way up the inclined road. I passed by Joseph and Joel and spoke to them for a short while then I joined my classmates down at the base of Charles Huang. Another Registration began and soon we were having Merienda in the Cafeteria.
Both Tourism and Journalism went into the Chapel and after a short orientation, we were dismissed to go to our rooms. Suprisingly, the girls were assigned into big rooms in the "Underground" (taking note Room #5 is the lowest and "said-haunted") while the few guys of both Journalism and Tourism (yep, the Tourism class also had more girls) were assigned to the Private Quarters above the main Lobby. Two per room in the Private Quarters.
I honestly wanted the larger rooms so all the guys of BroadJourn could be there and it seemed right rather than having a Private Room. I didn't argue though, no problems with two to a bathroom rather than 15 to a bathroom like downstairs. I took the key to Room 203 and next thing I know I'm standing there in this room. Furnished and making me wish the dorms inside DLSU-D were just like this. Still, the feeling of jitters about stories heard about this place. But to tell you, it was all nothing. It felt clean and clear to me. Nadda. Zip. No ghosts. Nothing like that. Only the "unknown" factor brought in the jitters.
The rest of the evening was a nice session. Registration (the 3rd one) was inside our Conference Room. Arazelli, the purple-loving girl that sits in the front of the classroom, was singing with actions. It's like she went drunk with the microphone, but she was entertaining her classmates. The actual singers of our classroom are DLSU-D Chorale (PAG) peeps like Jonee from Cavite City and Leah from Taguig, as well as Ate Angge who sings in a Choir in her community church and Jessica Mendoza (the next Jessica Soho) who sings with pure heart and soul but not in any choir I know of.
Mr. Lepardo started the session and we began with singing and getting pamplets or little workbooks. The atmosphere was just perfect for a Recollection. The cold night outside up on the side of a mountain overlooking Taal Lake in the darkness. The fairness between the heat and the cold, and our presence of the Broadjourn class as the warmth.
Added our Facilitator was our Professor, we needed no big introductions. Our Professor knew our class already and knew how to enhance our Recollection. He knew what jokes our class would make, and what jokes he could make for our class.
The last sesson of the evening involved us playing ice-breaker games like "Do you love me?" (answer: yes, which means everyone must dash for another seat OR no, the person saying no must pick a description like "people wearing shoes" and those wearing shoes will make a dash for another seat).
The last session also included singing the song "Only Hope", a beautiful song but already expired on my personal playlist since July, then lighting up candles in the center of the room and reflecting in the darkness with our hands open to God. Something that I really felt. Something more than a Retreat I had with my HS Batchmates last February 1 to 3. Shaking of hands and hugging proceeded afterwards in that session and we were off to freetime. Freetime to roam outside in the dark and embrace the cold air. Endrea, Jhen, and I looked at the stars. We saw a shooting star, and my wish was something about the Recollection.
A game of Truth or Dare was also an event in the evening. Around sleeping hours, I started to make my notes for my classmates. An activity for this recollection involved everyone making Envelopes and posting them on a wall so on Friday morning we could post our notes to each other. It reminded me of Elementary School again, but it was an activity that I liked. As a Cancerian, I wanted to express thanks and gratitude to some of my classmates and this was my chance to do so.
On the 2nd Floor, BroadJourn guys took over five rooms. Room 205 had the three "Charmed Ones of BroadJourn" Emil, Jeremy, and Natz in it. Room 204 had the more "cooler suave" guys, Keith the Taekwondo-Computer-DJ and Mark the Ladies' Man kind. Room 203, the center, involved the Org-affiliated guys. That would be William, recently made talent of a Major Prod this December at La Salle Zobel and probee of Teatro, and somewhere there was me. Room 202 housed the "Silent Ones" Kuya Rheyan the Studying and the Hiker and Eric the Writer and Music admirer. The last room at the far end of the hall, Room 201, boxed Godfather Christian who was already sleeping when told to sleep and Jerson my townmate in class (Tanza) who was just wondering around from room to room.
Basically it was quiet since the rules were strict and any noice could be heard as far as the other side of the hall or wing of the upper building. I have no idea how the girls were doing in the "Underground" rooms. Perhaps all that fun and conversation as they are all together in two big rooms. That's okay though, upstairs in the private rooms we had our own things to do like talk and sneak and get busted for not sleeping early.
Midnight approached and Friday the 13th was there. Christian was sleeping and it tossed a bored Jerson over to a bored Kuya Rheyan because Eric was also sleeping. Jerson and Kuya Rheyan joined William and I in our room. The center room had no hallroom window so we could leave the light on without letting anyone know about it. Sound was also trapped in the room because we covered the airspace underneath the door. The main window with the view of the inclined road was the only thing that could expose us as "still awake".
We just "made kwento" and time to time heard the three "Charmed Ones" laughing and joking in Room 205. I sneaked in some innocent Magic Flakes and shared it. We didn't talk about Ghosts or anything, just normal stuff.
It was 3 o'clock in the morning.
I opened my eyes and it was a quarter till 7 o'clock which was the announced Breakfast time. Being late meant paying a 30 peso fee for additional serving and cooking. I quickly woke William up and we joined the other guys outside in the hall.
We went downstairs to eat in the same chairs and table we did the day before. Afterwards I rushed upstairs to take a very ice-cold shower. But still worth it since the bathroom was really furnished by the Center but minus the soap, shampoo, and a towel. I got out and started to clear up my stuff because we had to surrender the room at 0830 hours.
I started writing my notes late and eventually ran out of time. We went cleared the place and now we were stationed downstairs. No more room to call "home". The session began with several games and we sang a few more songs and did more reflecting. We broke up into several groups to share our "Banig ng Buhay" segments in our work tablets or little workbooks. Autographing each others' work tablets also took place. (one page is dedicated to signatures of our classmates)
Another break took place and we had Pansit and Toast in the Cafeteria. Afterwards I had more time to work on my notes, which I was achieving slower then a snail at that time. We headed into the Chapel and BroadJourn took all the front rows of the Chapel- an observation I had. Tourism were in the back and perhaps quietly listening.
We spent nearly an hour rehearsing songs for the mass later, and during that time I was writing my notes. My classmates all finished last night and once again I'm rushing to get something like notes finished. They were all simple "Stay the same!" but with an added thanks or a trait I liked about the specific person. An optional Confession also took place at this time.
Mass took place and it can be concluded by the message of this Recollection according to our Professor/Facilitator, "Love your Enemies. Fight them with Love.".
After mass, Kuya Rheyan and I together decided to take the skinny and eeree stairwell on the side to see if we can shortcut ourselves to the Conference room which was above the Chapel level. The door was locked and I was filled with adrenalin due to these quiet, cold, and twilight stairs. I said to Kuya Rheyan, why not we explore the place. We went down the stairs to each level. Until we reached the very bottom of the stairs. I approached the downwards and saw on a brown closed door the number "5".
I turned into an exclamation point. *Flashback* "Room 5 is the "deepest of the dungeon" and probably haunted".
Kuya Rheyan and I ran back up the stairs which you can add to the opening credits of next season's "The Journalours". We entered the Cafeteria and began to eat Lunch.
Picture taking began and one last session was held. In this last session, Mr. Lepardo said the mass was the proper conclusion and that this session should be to just express ourselves to the class. We are called one by one to pick up the DLSU Rosary, our Recognition Card for Attending this Recollection, and to pick up our envelope from the board. We also had the option to take the microphone and say a few things. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and talk about the development of the BroadJourn Website. Something I should have done back in my HS but I never got the microphone since time ran out.
I got my envelope and I read the notes I got. Thanks to classmates who gave me a note!
An exchange of talents took place. Bianca and Mendy the lost Sex Bomb Dancers did their splits again to J. Lo's music. The class convinced quiet and simple Kaye to do some Ballet. Jeremy from Pointes did a short on-the-spot dance. The four probees of Teatro were called "by popular demand" to do a segment. Tearful Jhen, Shouting William, Lola Arjay, and Mistress Athena took the floor. And as a probee of VPAPU, I returned the chair they used to it's original spot.
After the last session, we were free to get ready for the bus and buy some "pasalubong" (gifts). Lots of picture taking took place outside with the scenery. A Batch picture for our future website. All with the many other cameras. My only film dried out the night before with a group picture in our Private Quarters.
The bus came and we boarded. We climbed up the inclined road with our heavy bags and got on the bus. And we left.
I left a much-needed breath of fresh air. I was now returning to campus with it's Organizations grasping me at the throat. A VPAPU Suprise Birthday Bash and Debut that I knew I had no more energy to go to. The ride to the Recollection was fun and filled with energy but the ride back down to Dasmariñas was just dizzy. Air pressure changing, the refreshing cold become smoggy warm again, and a tired body from this whole trip.
We bid farewell to Tina and Mr. Lepardo in Alfonso Cavite. In Silang Cavite we lost Cindy and Arazelli as they went home there. At Waltermart Dasmariñas we said bye to Eric, Jerson, Jhen, and a bunch of other peeps. Along the way from Waltermart to where I got off we lost Keith, Wilda, Kaye, and Melanie to the off-campus boarding houses they go to. At the Gate 3 we gave up Krystelle and Joy and someone else that I knew got off but didn't see.
The on-campus dormers of DLSU-D got off at Lake Park inside the campus and we marched for our dorms. While Ate Angge, Erian, Kuya Rheyan and them went surfing at ERS. I was with Upper. The mood was now dry and sad. It was back to normal again. Although I was thankful the campus was now few with people since it was just moments before Friday evening.
THE PHYSICAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I headed into my dorm room and opened my door. That same scent and sometimes even stench of Dorm life destroyed the Batangas-mountain air I had in my lungs. I wanted so badly to just go home to Tanza and sleep, rest, and continue my reflecting there.
Instead I had to take out my cellphone and find out how the hell I was to get to the VPAPU Surprise Party which was Mandatory and the other probationary members were working full-time and giving it their hardest to prepare for. I am truely sorry Jerwyn of COM1-1, Sai (HS Rachelle Hererra's ComSci classmate), Kuya Carlo and Ate Ruan, Roi, and the rest of the other probationary members of VPAPU.
That I couldn't attend.
The Original plan was that I would make "pahabol" and rush to the party. But I had no idea where it was in "Windward" and "Windward" is a very big and perhaps confusing place to go to with lots of "dangerous people" at night. At this party I was to host a game of "The Weakest Link" for the five officers celebrating, two of which celebrating their Debut. Then after an overnight stay, I would be back in La Salle Saturday morning at 6 o'clock so my mom can pick me up for "Haggard Weekend'er - Phase III: The Wedding".
So what happened? Dorm neighbors invited me to join them to eat at good ol' Brejanah's instead and I joined them. Kurt and the Twins Davies and Paul. It felt good to be with them and have someone to talk about. I dropped all the sentimental stuff I had in my head about the Recollection just hours before that and went ahead with talking about Kurt's continued problems of loving a high school friend of mine. Lance and Joel where at Robinsons. Lance was there on a "date" (with quotation marks according to Kurt) with that one 3rd Year High School "Golda-like" girl he met recently. Joel there for obvious reasons. Cash for Lance. How mean.
While the three "Taga-Kuwait", Brian (HS batchmate Veejay's ComSci classmate) the Serious, Basil the Loud, and Karl the Nasal where at SM Bacoor.
We returned to the dorms eventually and watched a little bit of Television while I started to pack up. My mom, Uncle, and driver arrived and soon I was home....
THE SPIRITUAL AFTERMATH OF THE RECOLLECTION
I enjoyed it. My spiritual aura improved and I really felt this Recollection. It reminded me again and again of how amazing my classmates are. I thanked God over and over again and prayed he bless our class. I felt refreshed by this Recollection. If Dorm Life takes me away from the problems at home with relatives. Then [Charles Huang Conference Center] took me away from the pressures at DLSU-D with Organizations. This Recollection was thee breather I needed.
TITLE IN REVIEW: "At the edge of the world." is how it felt being up on [Charles Huang] which was on the side of the forests down the mountain ridge. you can see lake taal and taal volcano in the distance and fog and mist below. clouds were also low and it felt like you were away from it all at some invisible point in the sky observing down below. it felt like looking over "the edge of the world".
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