Wednesday, December 31, 2003
20 BEST MEMORIES OF 2003 - COMPLETE
This is the longest-ever entry I've made for my online journal
ANOTHER year is coming to an end. To celebrate the many events, triumphs, good and bad times, problems experienced, and cherished memories of this past year, I have made a list of the 20 personal best memories of 2003.
It was originally supposed to be a Top 20 countdown of the best memories this past year, but later on I found out it would be difficult to narrow it down to the last one. Instead, I have listed the 20 best memories in Chronological format and some of them, by the level that memory has affected me.
And now we begin!
Costume Party? The year started off with a fresh outlook with an appealing sunrise. And it was this sunrise that scorched the living daylights out of all fellow Freshmen Year college students in our beloved University.
It would be our first time to experience the Lasallian Days. January began with several practices for the Mass Demonstration competition between colleges. It was in this mess that I got to meet fellow first years of CLA courses such as Psychology, Development Studies, Philosophy, and Community Development.
Like what is expected from CLA students, CLA produced the most artsy performance of all seven colleges in DLSU-D. The music was from the soundtrack of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and the second song to conclude the performance was "Pamp-aramp-arampa! (Ibigay Mo 'Na!)", this catchy yet baduy rhythm that stirred our minds for weeks.
It was all fun though. The Open House at the dorms was a success and a failure at the same time. Our faces were burnt from the sun during the past weeks. It was failure when a drinking incident temporarily claimed the mental status of a classmate of mine, sending me into anger mode against a dorm mate who gave her the drink.
There was also the USC's Rotonda Street Party, with a curfew at 8pm I might add, at the Rotonda (obviously). It was fun watching and looking at the back of St. de la Salle's statue where the Stage was set-up. Talk about one of the weirdest backdrops in party-going history.
The Next Episode. Early February was scheduled for a host of activities for all AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism students at DLSU-D. For first years such as ourselves at the time, an exposure trip to ABS-CBN studios. For all Comm. Arts Department students, it was the Media Awareness Days.
At ABS-CBN we watched an episode of "The Morning Girls" with Kris and Koreeeeenah! (Korina). I later found out my classmate joined the noontime show while we all toured the studios. It was nice to see the places you'd probably be working at in the future.
Media Awareness Days or MADays came immedietly afterwards. The kubos loaded with advertising students, I saw a few pioneer Broadjourn taping and providing coverage, and I joined this News Competition.
I borrowed this nice shiny blue polo from Aldrich and I was off to the "news room" to compete. I was in the english category while my partner Endrea Fabian was for the filipino category.
I entered the newsroom with confidence and a smile. After saying my piece and ending it with "And that's the news at this hour, please stay tuned for more news tonight. For AB Comm TV, I'm George Putong, Good Afternoon."... I felt good.
I left the place and joined the rest of my classmates in the Viewing Room where the writers of the Probe Team were holding a seminar. On the way back to my dorm that evening, my adviser Mr. H. Palad congratulated me in front of La Buena and he told me that I won 3rd Place! Not bad for a first year student going against all them seniors of AB Comm. Hmph!
Then of course, my classmates competed in the Singing and Dancing competition. We didn't win this time, but who cares. We've won so many times already. Ang yabang ko! But this is the truth!
It was a fun February which went into this memorable date at Padi's Point in Las Piñas with Aldrich, Tope, Rona and them. But that's a different story, and isn't even on this 20 best memories of 2003.
Let's move on shall we?
Like a virgin. At that point of living in the Philippines, I hadn't gone any further up north than Cubao. It was in early April 2003 I experienced my first trip up there to the City of Pines, Baguio.
My emotions caught the best of me, once again, while up there on the mountainside. The fog must have poisoned my brain or something. Songs like "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty and "I'm With You" by Avril Lavinge, not to forget the entire album of Meteora by Linkin Park which the guys took... was the soundtrack of my journey up there.
What happens when you pit me with a bunch of insensitive guys? No offense, but it was on this trip I realized enough to form a theory that not all balikbayans are the same. Wait, that was lame. I realized that I was quite different, no wait... very different from the Kuwaiti guys at the dorm.
I'm a practical-emotional person and getting along with seemingly emotionless people was just hell up there. I still enjoyed the view up in Baguio though. Thanks to Joel's best friend Alex (not my room mate) who went with us (he's studying in Cebu)... I managed to keep my poker face going.
On-Location Research. This was fun, two or three weeks of researching and planning followed by two reserved dates for touring churches and taking pictures, was the result of our English102 research.
Ate Angge and I versus the world! Hahaha. We visited churches like we were on some holy pilgrimage. It was fun touring Intramuros by foot and exploring the vast markets of Baclaran looking for gifts.
These people get kidnapped, while some slaughtered. That's the naked truth of being a true patriot and full-pledged journalist when you're trying to expose the truth to the masses.
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines held its 63rd Convention up in Teppeng Cove in some town in northern Ilocus Sur (it's not Ilocus Norte yet). I was selected to join in Heraldo Filipino's delegation.
Eric and Maycee were also selected. If it was my first time in Baguio just two months before this, where on earth was I now?!
After a grueling 12-hour trip, we were greeted by this strange styrofoam bowl loaded with tons of bagoong. The food didn't look edible! We were greeted by the other CEGP people, who were friendly, yes... but the food wasn't.
Bland food downed Eric for one or two nights. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the beach that was there. Hearing the waves was just a delight for me. Then, this terrible typhoon came. The lights went out, it was chaos but fun at the same time! We didn't have beds to sleep in, it was memorable!
There was this one sunset where the beach was all dim and the ocean water looked like mocca coffee due to the storm and the shifting sands.
We made it back to Cavite alive and we also took home with us 2 of the 3 major awards... which made me realize that I am working for one of the greatest Student Publications (official, not rebellion or underground) in the Philippines. Wow. I didn't believe that at first, but once we held onto those awards... for two years now, it was just unbelievable.
The pictures I have of the CEGP haven't been scanned yet. That's why the poster above is just a picture of our winning issue.
When you purchase a dream. The Honda Satin Silver Metallic CR-V Model 2003 was the jewel of all improvements in our family's lifestyle in 2003.
Dad came home in the middle of the year and brought home goodies such as a digital camera for me (which worked wonders, look at my online journal now!) and improvements to the house.
My mom worked vigorously in getting the house shaped up. She handled the house while my dad was gone. I'm just proud of her. She's taking care of her two sons while my dad is away. That's a hard thing to do, and I admire my mom for that.
My brother on the other hand has also matured... everytime I see him, I don't look at him as immature. I only look at him as a younger brother, not an immature being. He has a girlfriend in New Zealand right now. She used to study in Atheneum but she moved there. Talk about Lord of the Distances... Long-Distant Fellowship Rings... I meant... Long-Distance Relationships in a Lord of the Rings setting.
We love you dad. Take care of yourself always when you're out there! And to my family (mom and brother), you guys are doing great. Stay strong always.
The Sophomore Slump begins. We were no longer like those innocent Freshmen. I recall during the first week of classes I kept my chin an inch or two higher than usual just to show I'm not a Freshmen anymore... I mean, it was hard to tell during those days.
The male dormitory compound had expanded into three buidlings from the previous and pioneering solo building. More new dorm mates, more new friends, and the solidying presence of a tropa that called itself NC14.
Roses are red, while some are blue. The first time I danced with a debutant was with Charmagne at the elegant Coconut Palace behind the CCP Complex. That was on an evening in early June just a week before 2nd year college began.
The first time I was officially a rose in the 18 roses was for Katz Debut in San Pedro, Laguna. That was on the eve of my 18th Birthday... so the feeling was mutual... hahaha. They handed me a bottle of white wine... which eventually I never got to drink.
The Las Piñas girl, Rona, had her debut in San Pedro, Laguna like Katz. It was in late September. What I remember the most was the afterparty at Apple's which was the first time I believe I got drunk. You can read more about that later.
During Sembreak 2003 in late-October was Arazeili's debut in Silang, Cavite. I was supposed to be the emcee with Ate Angge, but Ate Angge was sick so Jessica Fenol and Ayesha de Celis helped me out on stage. It was a strange debut since it brought together the oddest bunch.
Joel with his best friend from Cebu, Alex... was there. The last time I saw Alex was in Baguio, so it was weird seeing this guy at a classmates debut. Aldrich came, which was very significant to Ara. While I brought my HS classmate Rom with me. How strange is that?
Ate Angge's debut followed in the 2nd Semester in late-November. I brought Jerson with me, who is a former classmate in Broadjourn. It felt good reuniting him with my classmates. It was at Ate Angge's debut that I had my first taste of red wine. I was one of the 18 shots.
Kaya mo na 'tol! It was my first time to Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City. The place was loaded with yuppies, I thought I would be seeing other college level peeps that looked like us... but when we were there among those taller people... all with blue-collared jobs and everything... it didn't help but make me feel like a little kid again.
We hung out at "The Basement", the lady at the ticket place didn't believe I was 18. She smiled and joked, but the thought was there. I know, I look like a little grown up boy... boyish features and everything, but it was a bit frustrating. We got in, and I drank two San Mig lights and we danced on this body-to-body dancefloor... talk about PACKED!
It was fun, but Joel had the most fun since we all waited for him till he was finished enjoying himself at Ipanema. I had a terrible stomach ache while the rest, like Basil & Gail, were just too tired. We slept over at Joel's place inside Camp Aguinaldo.
Like the Last Supper, but it wasn't the last. That is how we looked like. We looked like Jesus and his disciples during "The Last Supper" when we combined tables at KFC, McDo, Pizza Hut, Inazalle Chicken, etc.
During the earlier tropa dinners, we were "complete" when we had the guys like Karl, Brian, Kelvin, Kevin, etc. But later on they broke away and would rather spend their evenings playing Counterstrike like if it was brand new.
Those that remained, to me, are the tropa peeps inner circle. We just ate together and chatted about anything. Those were the moments. Sigh.
By the end of 2003 our tropa dinners were mostly at Ed's Chinese Food Castle (heheh). Eating every night with these guys has to be one of the most memorable of the most memorable... hahaha.
And now we enter the last half of the 20 best memories...
Performance Level, again. If once, twice, even thrice wasn't enough- take two more performances and see if that's enough for them. Our block section was asked to perform again for the usually First Year-only Buwan ng Wika parade and competition.
The theme this year was "Pelikula" and our professor, who happens to be one of the top faculty of the Languages Department, had us watch and execute the most memorable scene of Tatarin. Tatarin is a semi-bold movie about womanhood, freedom, and a cult. This cult worships this tree in the middle of the forest and it makes women horny.
Place that next to "Bagong Buwan", "Ibong Adarna", and "Mano Po" and you'll get the point of how sizzling and artsy our performance was, not to brag. The author of the Retorika book, Jose A. Arrogante said to a number of my classmates that our performance at the Rotonda was the most applauded. Later on, we bagged third place. The same place we got during our first year performance at the same competition. Last year we did this dramatic re-enactment of the Burnhams Hostage Tragedy with this artsy "Ina ng Bayan" linkage to it.
Then for our PHED103 Exotic Dance (heheh) we were combined with our instructor's other block section, Polsci 2-1, to perform the Egyptian dance for another mass demonstration. Our costume was made by my classmate Kay and her mother. It was bright yellow, so we stood out in that open field. It was embarassing wearing that yellow egyptian skirt (everyone had to wear it). I didn't really like the opening of our performance... it was just too damn weird. And the music, "Walk Like an Egyptian" from the early 1980s was just... well, let's leave it at there. I wish we performed "Baby Boy" by Beyonce Knowles, which was a hot new hit at that time.
Ito ang tama! This should be part of the debut memory, but in itself this was the most memorable event to me when it comes to drinking.
This happened after Rona's debut in San Pedro, Laguna. A number of my classmates and I left for Apple's house in the same town. We were supposed to drink just light, because there were many of us including my best friend Lance. We shared glasses and passed it around. I drank Gin Po and Red Horse. I was tired of waiting for the glass and I really wanted something to drink next to that tasty pulutan (mojos, french fries, all things potato!).
I went to the kitchen and got a new glass from Apple, she was with her boyfriend Richard at that time. No one noticed I got a new glass and had it for myself. I kept pouring myself Red Horse after the Gin Po ran out. I think an equivalent of two normal-sized bottles of Red Horse was enough to kick me to the edge. I was heavily tipsy at that time. I could still remember things, but I believe that was the closest I ever got to being drunk.
We rode with Upper and I remember sitting on someone's lap since we were crowded in her SUV. We dropped people one by one, and as we drove the scary 4am streets of Laguna, I recall laughing endlessly and moving my head from side to side... it was just fun.
We even accidentally went to Coastal Road when Upper took a wrong turn. We had to go straight into Manila just to turn around at Coastal Mall and make our way back to La Salle. That was so memorable!
From all that fun, also came the all the drama...
Traumatized. This memory was tied with me throwing up at Charmange's dorm (to be mentioned later) as the worst event for me personally in 2003.
Not that I was responsible for the heart and chest pain Tony experienced, but seeing the pain in his eyes made me feel it to. I was such an empath! I met Tony, a first year AB Communication student, in the dorms. He was the first AB Comm guy that I met at the dorms. Ever since I dormed on La Salle, I was always known to be the only "Mass Media Man" there. When I met him, I got all excited and told him countless stories of how haggard life can get in Broadjourn and AB Comm.
On our first meeting, we spoke for three hours! And on this one evening, we spoke for six hours in my dorm room!
Then, sometime in late June before I was getting picked up by my parents to go home... he confesses that he's been experiencing heart and chest pains wherein he would completely pass out. It happened to him in his class at JFH, it happened to him in the Library, and he didn't know what was going on with him.
I thought it was just a temporary thing... maybe he's just tired. He is, by the way, class president of COM1-1. I helped him research it on Alex's computer and we said it was glycemia... or the lack of food and all the stress, etc.
Then one night we were at the e-house. We were sitting on the sidewalk talking when suddenly I felt something heavy hit my left leg. He collapsed onto my left leg! I immedietly tried to get him up and demanded we return to the dorm, he was a bit conscious so he got up. He tried so hard to walk back to our compound. Half way there he collapsed onto the bushes, I helped him back up.
We had to carry him into a neighboring dorm room where a new scene was made. At that time, I knew that Tony couldn't be taken to the Hospital... it would only get worse there. He just has to take his medicine like what the doctor ordered.
He had these attacks every few seconds... then every few minutes... and finally after bringing him to his dorm room (F7) his attacks had stopped. In each of his attacks, he would avoid screaming with pain... he'd breathe heavily and he'd squeeze the part of his chest above his heart. Ouch.
Before he went asleep, it was just the two of us in his room. He told me not to leave until he was asleep. He didn't even need to say that, it was programmed by default for me. I gave him a glass of water and then he asked me "What if I don't wake up tomorrow?"
I told him "No!"... and I was shocked he'd ask that. I told him tomorrow he'll see all the nice and beautiful girls of COM1-1 again... tomorrow will be a great day for him. He fell asleep afterwards.
I didn't leave his room after he fell asleep. It echoed in my head... what if he was right? What if he didn't wake up in the morning? I tried to avoid thinking that way, but it kept entering my head.
Eventually the following day was the most depressing day of 2003, I believe. I carried this sad face to class and in our REED103 I told Mr. Sepeda that I'll lead the closing prayer dedicated to the health of Tony.
Throughout that day, I felt like he was still there in his room lying down. I wanted.. no, I needed to see him walking around. That image of him experiencing that unknown pain in his heart was just tattoo'd on my mind.
***
His attacks continued. I noticed the interval was every other week. And in every other week he'd have that attack, he'd have it at least twice in that one week. There were many episodes we carried him to this room, to that room. There were many episodes a lot of dorm mates were looking at him unconcious.
The worst location he collapsed at was in front of Red Ribbon, which was still undergoing construction at that time. He just suddenly collapsed there on one of our tropa dinners. We called this tricycle from the Aguinaldo Highway to drop us to the dorm from there. I was in the tricycle compartment holding his head because he kept leaning forward which was dangerous.
It got less and less traumatizing... it got to a point where it was normal. I spoke to him about having check-ups and everything. Eventually after Sembreak 2003 (late-October) he said he had a series of medical examinations and physicals and that doctors gave him this treatment.
Afterwards... in the 2nd Semester (November 2003 onwards)... his attacks have stopped. His one month trial (November) ended successfully. I just pray he has those check-ups once in a while to make sure he is still ok.
Magpakailanman... joke! (That was real drama for me.)
Let's travel north again...
The commute to the summit. I never knew that an International Students Association existed in DLSU-D until around October when Ate Blaire, a 4th year AB Comm student and navy brat like me, told me about it. There was a planned ISA trip to Baguio for the Sembreak 2003 (late-October).
What was thought to be this happy group of ten or more people was just four of us! Hahaha. Aldrich, Zubair, Yousuf, and myself joined our adviser Sir Sieg in commuting to Baguio.
We took a bus from Dasma Bayan to Lawton and from Lawton a taxi to the Cubao Terminals. Wow, it was really a late-night adventure for me! Heheh. We left Cubao at midnight for Baguio City. We stopped by three stops on this ultra-freezing bus... yes... it was a damn FREEZER in that bus! I was wearing my new Bench jacket and still my ears were starting to freeze.
I remember Aldrich and I trying to balance the coffee cups, hoping it won't spill. It was like playing this game where you can only drink when the road is smooth... hahaha. Sigh.
In Baguio we were greeted by the Foreign Student Association of St. Louis University-Baguio. They were just so hospitable! The lady there was just so nice... so nice and warm it made me just want to study at SLU for a summer... take up Mass Comm there and have it accredited back in DLSU-D. Hehehe.
They brought us to this one conference room where one by one these foreign people entered. I couldn't stop smiling and laughing.. I was uncontrollable at that time! I mean, there was this one Nepalese guy who came in... then this guy from India... don't forget Yousuf is from Pakistan (who studied in Saudi Arabia). Then a group of Indonesians and another group of Koreans entered. They told us stories of how close they are to each other. It was like a summit of all the United Nations! Hahaha.
We went hunting for a hotel and the feeling was great to be free. Unlike my previous trip to Baguio in April of this same year, we had to commute to get around. FX after FX to go to all the markets, all the parks, all the bars at Legarda Avenue.
We stayed for three days, but believe it or not two days was the set limit already by our adviser. We went to Padi's Point-Baguio on two nights... the place was under black light and it was just awesome watching the singers. They sang "Baby... I want you... but I don't what to say..." (that Joy Enriquez song) and it made me think about Badge again.
I also met up with my classmates Apple and Jezire, who were up at Baguio for a week as well! We met at Lourdes Grotto, and it just added to the memories. I was tipsy on this one night... it was embarassing! ü
From Baguio to Batangas. That's exactly how Sembreak 2003 (late-October) went. After returning to Cavite, days later I was spending time in CHCC (recollection/retreat place of DLSU-D students) Batulao, Batangas with the Heraldo Filipino.
It was our Midyear Seminar. During our three days there, we once again had the time to get closer to each other... especially to the new batch. On the cultural arts night, our group won after we performed "Mariposa Dinga and the Pepeng V" directed and choreographed on-the-spot by Mark Baquiran (3rd Year AB Comm, Photo section).
It was just hilarious. I played the part of Ben Tambling... hahaha. Then on another performance, Tom Wagan dressed up and did Tatarin with Kate Mamon and their group! Hahaha.
Maybe I shouldn't be mentioning this, but on the last night there Junjun (2nd Year Psych, Literature section) had sighted something strange... he was shaking so badly... his face was pale white! They even entered our room to calm down. Then, after falling asleep briefly, they all entered again and Junjun led a series of Hail Mary's. That was a rather frightening experience... we don't know what he saw... except Demo I think.
We've just finished the first fiftheen best memories of 2003. Now we draw ourselves towards the end of the year and towards the most affecting memories of 2003...
I love you guys. I probably couldn't say it in any other way. It was in 2003 we had set aside time to see each other again. Who am I talking about? I'm talking about my closest friends since High School. I used to call our little circle of friends "G7" (to contra the whole GNOTEK thing)... but now it don't matter. These are the people I started with when I came to the Philippines. And there's nothing or no one that can prevent me from going back to them.
It started this year with Erika's 18th Birthday in April. We met up in Robinsons Imus and were taken to her house in the same town. Then we met again on Joy's 18th Birthday (during Sembreak 2003, late-October/November 1).
We met up at SM Bacoor and commuted to Glorietta (G4) where we went window shopping. Afterwards we retreated back to Cavite and ate at the Balsa, a locally famous restaurant in Bacoor. That's where we had a lot of sharing. I drank two Red Horse bottles and a Colt Light which got me a bit tipsy.
It was a perfect reunion right there. The full moon was reflecting off the waters next to our floating kubo (balsa). We shared to each other "Things we regret..." to "Things we miss in High School"... and so on. I told everyone, and Joy herself, about my conflict of love during High School.
And finally in December during the Holiday Season, we met up at Nikki's house. I came late while the others went swimming (it must've been freezing, it's so windy over there in Dasmariñas). And then they came over after Christmas to my house to watch Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
I'm hoping we can have more of these in 2004.
What time is it? That was the question I'd ask before going to sleep in my dorm room this past 2nd year College (since June). Someone would respond "Quarter to two" ... in the morning!
This has to go down as one of the most longest and lasting memories of 2003, and it will probably continue into 2004 as well. My room mate Alex would be found on his laptop playing some game or listening to some sentimental music on his headphones. Jan Arian and Tony, the guests who could be considered as the 4th and 5th room mates of mine in a 3-person room, would be found next to Alex and the three would be taking turns on the laptop.
Tony would occasionally play the piano in the room. Then, every few minutes or so another friend of ours would enter our room, mingle, and walk out. Suddenly, the rice is finished cooking (it's prohibited to cook in the dorms, even rice) and the plates come out. Then we all pour tuna or sardines on top of them. Or, if Alex brought some food from home, it would be heated in the Dorm Microwave down the hall and they'd eat.
Our third room mate, Kyle, would usually be in another room (Brian's room in B4 or Karl's room in B3). But when he's in our room he'd be watching VCD movies... not bold, but pirated VCD movies of the latest movies.
The scene in our dorm room is just memorable. After a long day, there's always a long night to relax and to hang out in the presence of your friends.
The Light of Love. The topic for the 2nd Year Recollection is "The Risk of Loving" and it was also around the time I was planning on making my first official move into courting someone who I've known for over a year now.
Basically the whole one-day recollection was just about that. Guess what songs these lines come from:
Baby I want you but I don't know what to say...
Have you ever tried to find the words but they don't come out right...
Let's take it slow, so slow...
But no other song could have ever said it like this:
If it's wrong to tell the truth
What am I supposed to do?
If all I wanna do is speak my mind
If it's wrong to do what's right
I'm prepared to testify
If loving you with all my hearts' a crime
Then I'm guilty.
It was on this date this past year that my close friends Eric and Leah became "Eric & Leah". Eric made his final move of courtship when he popped the question, and I was moved by it too... heheh. Because the only thing I knew between the two of them (him and Leah) is that Eric is txting Leah all the mushy stuff. I always see Leah's reaction at Ed's Food Castle (she dorms, and Leah hangs out with NC14). Leah is always smiling.
The two getting together was a bit more low key compared to me trying to get to Badge. Another classroom romance, Tope and Joy, has been something to watch in JOU2-1 this past year. Joy wasn't ready for a relationship yet, so she had to turn Tope down. But two days before Tope's Birthday in December, she answered him.
This in itself was memorable because by December 2003, everywhere I looked I saw couples. I was among the few in the remaining singles club. Everyone had a significant other. I recall crossing the street at Gate One and found myself standing in a crowd of couples holding hands.
I gave my letter to Badge and that ended the recollection for me. I hated it when our thing was just so publicized in Broadjourn 2-1. All those eyes on us just made me tense and lose the words to say to her. If only we had some time alone to speak.
After the recollection I stayed overnight at Charmagne's dorm with "The Other Side of Broadjourn". I was with Jeremy, Natz, Keith Rosales and tropa. I had my first taste of Brandy (Fundador) and I drank this whole El Grande of Red Horse. It was also the first time I threw up at a drinking place.
The following morning was also the worst hangover I ever had ever since I started drinking. I missed my Friday morning classes (World Litt make-up, World Litt proper, Logic). Tope scolded me during Intro to Broadcasting about having hangovers, etc. I hate Fundador! That stuff makes you throw up! Gin Po na lang!
Gising Na! (Hindi, gising pa ako.) This is the last single most memorable event for me in 2003. I've never been to a single Simbang Gabi in my entire life, and during the week of the Prelim Exams in mid-December, I had no idea Tony would be so zealous!
He said he was going with the sisters at the e-house to attend Simbang Gabi at 4 o'clock in the morning at a church in Area 1. I didn't go on the first night, but on the second night (er, morning) I went and so did Lance.
It was just a unique experience to be riding a jeep 4 o'clock in the morning and passing by Kadiwa. And you know how
Kadiwa looks like right? It's this bustling market that just smells so terrible you can't bear it sometimes. When our jeep was caught in traffic there, it felt like we were soldiers or something and I was this journalist and we were passing by a market in Saigon or something... heheh.
We arrived at the church and after getting through the crowds, we emerged on the 2nd floor and met up with the radical and the nicest sister of the e-house. After mass we bought Puto Bumbong and at the dorms feasted on it until the sun started to rise.
Moments like those.
And now, the last of the most memorable of 2003. This next one isn't a reflection or memory of a single event. It also isn't a reflection or memory of one or two interconnected events. This next one was the most affecting problem that lasted a year. It started the year off, and it ended the year with a grand conclusion during the Holiday Season.
Everywhere. That is what 2003 for me was all about. It was about me building myself a social life. Going places, meeting people, and just being out there. In 2003, I gave myself "to the world". I made myself there for everyone, for every single one. There were times that some of these people wanted to solve their problems on their own, but I just couldn't leave them alone. That was my fatal mistake.
It was like fighting pirates on three galleons next to my ship. I had two swords in each of my hands and I kept lashing out trying to keep them off my ship. I was near the edge, ready to fall into the deep ocean. I always made sure I had someone there next to me holding me back from falling.
It could be the girl of my dreams. But I'm just too damn picky. I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm not the everyday Juan dela Cruz who sees a nice girl and after getting to know her a bit, make her my girlfriend. No. I have standards, not in any measurements... but the standard that the first time I look this girl in the eye... I know that we're soulmates and we belong together.
I'm not sure, but unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet.
My love of friends was the sole driving energy that kept me out there and kept me going strong. When you give yourself out, you tend to lose energy and LOSE YOURSELF. And the only force out there that can re-charge you or reciprocate all that you give to the world would come in the form of a girlriend or in the form of a best friend.
There, I mentioned it. In 1st year college, I was just too preoccupied to adjusting and meeting the needs of the lifestyle of college. But in 2nd year college which began in June 2003, I had reached a platform where I could expand in all directions and reach out.
I reached out to everybody and I needed someone to hold me back and keep me down to earth, anchored. That anchor came in the form of my best friend Lance, who is the longest person I've known ever since I came to the Philippines in 1998. I only started considering him my best friend when 2nd year college began. Before that, the fact that he doesn't believe so much in the "best friend thing" kept me distant from him.
Regardless of that fact, I ignored it and declared that we have mutual dialogue. The two of us can speak about anything we want towards each other without anyone stopping us... or perhaps a little convincing, but we'll be completely honest to each other about the issues that surrounds us.
The year 2003 began with that unsatisfied wish of having "the ideal best friend". It couldn't be a girlfriend at the time, because "that soulmate" I am looking for in a girl was no where to be found yet.
Even if I was the only one probably thinking like that, I felt so alone and so cold. But then there was this dorm mate, a fellow military brat from Guam, who seemed to carry all those characteristics of that "ideal best friend".
I registered two conflicts, and these two conflicts alone register as the only conflicts I've had with anyone throughout my College life, with this person. Eventually, I learned that maybe we wearn't that "identical" afterall. That helped me move on and continue that useless search.
At the end of the year, I realized the search was just too plain stupid. I need to learn how to reciprocate that energy I give out and channel some back to me. I read it in this book "Be My Own Best Friend" which was just so perfect. I mean, its first page was about a guy named George in the movie "Life is Beautiful" who gave so much to the people around him that he felt empty and cold inside.
The book talks about how to stand on your own and be your own best friend.
Then the climatic conclusion to the problem that defined a year came through the txt of a close friend of mine who I was starting to consider another best friend to me:
[I don't want to offend you or something.. but, it's for your own good anyway.. you just mentioned that people you want to be with are distancing themselves from you right? George, it's vacation! It's christmas vacation!!! The time you have to spend with your family.. I know you value your friends so much that you tend to miss them a lot and you want to be updated with what's going on with them (including me) during the break.. but don't you think you're over doing it? It's hard to understand what I'm trying to say.. Sometimes, you need to let your friends breathe, man.. You see, anything in excess, even though it's good, can be bad. What I'm trying to get at is that you love and value your friends too much.. Imagine getting a hug.. It's nice and comforting, right? But if you're to be hugged too tight, will it still be nice and comforting? No, it will even hurt you and eventually, you'll find yourself trying to get free from the tight embrace.. Well, I remember you told me that cancerians are known to be very affectionate and sensitive. But George, your getting way too concerned... please don't be offended for I don't intend to do so.. so going back.. in my humble opinion, your friends are distancing themselves from you maybe because you hugged them too tight.. right now they need air.. they need to breathe in.. and if you would still keep on with teh mushy txt and stuff, you might find yourself hugging no one... cause the tighter you hug them.. sooner or later, it's not impossible for your friends to avoid you cause you hugged them too tight.. George, I want you to do me a favor: think about it. Everything that I've just said... who knows? Maybe that's why SHE's not replying, maybe you're hugging her too tight.. >",< ]
No one could've said it any better. It says that I tend to symbolically "hug my friends too tight that they can't breathe and hugging them too tight will make me lose them."
This ushered in the theme of my resolution for 2004. Which is independence and a stronger sense of being my own best friend.
***
That concludes the 20 Best Memories of 2003. The happy times, sad times, problematic times, and everything else.
ONE BLESSED HIP AND HAPPENIN' NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!
This is the longest-ever entry I've made for my online journal
ANOTHER year is coming to an end. To celebrate the many events, triumphs, good and bad times, problems experienced, and cherished memories of this past year, I have made a list of the 20 personal best memories of 2003.
It was originally supposed to be a Top 20 countdown of the best memories this past year, but later on I found out it would be difficult to narrow it down to the last one. Instead, I have listed the 20 best memories in Chronological format and some of them, by the level that memory has affected me.
And now we begin!
Costume Party? The year started off with a fresh outlook with an appealing sunrise. And it was this sunrise that scorched the living daylights out of all fellow Freshmen Year college students in our beloved University.
It would be our first time to experience the Lasallian Days. January began with several practices for the Mass Demonstration competition between colleges. It was in this mess that I got to meet fellow first years of CLA courses such as Psychology, Development Studies, Philosophy, and Community Development.
Like what is expected from CLA students, CLA produced the most artsy performance of all seven colleges in DLSU-D. The music was from the soundtrack of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and the second song to conclude the performance was "Pamp-aramp-arampa! (Ibigay Mo 'Na!)", this catchy yet baduy rhythm that stirred our minds for weeks.
It was all fun though. The Open House at the dorms was a success and a failure at the same time. Our faces were burnt from the sun during the past weeks. It was failure when a drinking incident temporarily claimed the mental status of a classmate of mine, sending me into anger mode against a dorm mate who gave her the drink.
There was also the USC's Rotonda Street Party, with a curfew at 8pm I might add, at the Rotonda (obviously). It was fun watching and looking at the back of St. de la Salle's statue where the Stage was set-up. Talk about one of the weirdest backdrops in party-going history.
The Next Episode. Early February was scheduled for a host of activities for all AB Communication and AB Broadcast Journalism students at DLSU-D. For first years such as ourselves at the time, an exposure trip to ABS-CBN studios. For all Comm. Arts Department students, it was the Media Awareness Days.
At ABS-CBN we watched an episode of "The Morning Girls" with Kris and Koreeeeenah! (Korina). I later found out my classmate joined the noontime show while we all toured the studios. It was nice to see the places you'd probably be working at in the future.
Media Awareness Days or MADays came immedietly afterwards. The kubos loaded with advertising students, I saw a few pioneer Broadjourn taping and providing coverage, and I joined this News Competition.
I borrowed this nice shiny blue polo from Aldrich and I was off to the "news room" to compete. I was in the english category while my partner Endrea Fabian was for the filipino category.
I entered the newsroom with confidence and a smile. After saying my piece and ending it with "And that's the news at this hour, please stay tuned for more news tonight. For AB Comm TV, I'm George Putong, Good Afternoon."... I felt good.
I left the place and joined the rest of my classmates in the Viewing Room where the writers of the Probe Team were holding a seminar. On the way back to my dorm that evening, my adviser Mr. H. Palad congratulated me in front of La Buena and he told me that I won 3rd Place! Not bad for a first year student going against all them seniors of AB Comm. Hmph!
Then of course, my classmates competed in the Singing and Dancing competition. We didn't win this time, but who cares. We've won so many times already. Ang yabang ko! But this is the truth!
It was a fun February which went into this memorable date at Padi's Point in Las Piñas with Aldrich, Tope, Rona and them. But that's a different story, and isn't even on this 20 best memories of 2003.
Let's move on shall we?
Like a virgin. At that point of living in the Philippines, I hadn't gone any further up north than Cubao. It was in early April 2003 I experienced my first trip up there to the City of Pines, Baguio.
My emotions caught the best of me, once again, while up there on the mountainside. The fog must have poisoned my brain or something. Songs like "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty and "I'm With You" by Avril Lavinge, not to forget the entire album of Meteora by Linkin Park which the guys took... was the soundtrack of my journey up there.
What happens when you pit me with a bunch of insensitive guys? No offense, but it was on this trip I realized enough to form a theory that not all balikbayans are the same. Wait, that was lame. I realized that I was quite different, no wait... very different from the Kuwaiti guys at the dorm.
I'm a practical-emotional person and getting along with seemingly emotionless people was just hell up there. I still enjoyed the view up in Baguio though. Thanks to Joel's best friend Alex (not my room mate) who went with us (he's studying in Cebu)... I managed to keep my poker face going.
On-Location Research. This was fun, two or three weeks of researching and planning followed by two reserved dates for touring churches and taking pictures, was the result of our English102 research.
Ate Angge and I versus the world! Hahaha. We visited churches like we were on some holy pilgrimage. It was fun touring Intramuros by foot and exploring the vast markets of Baclaran looking for gifts.
These people get kidnapped, while some slaughtered. That's the naked truth of being a true patriot and full-pledged journalist when you're trying to expose the truth to the masses.
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines held its 63rd Convention up in Teppeng Cove in some town in northern Ilocus Sur (it's not Ilocus Norte yet). I was selected to join in Heraldo Filipino's delegation.
Eric and Maycee were also selected. If it was my first time in Baguio just two months before this, where on earth was I now?!
After a grueling 12-hour trip, we were greeted by this strange styrofoam bowl loaded with tons of bagoong. The food didn't look edible! We were greeted by the other CEGP people, who were friendly, yes... but the food wasn't.
Bland food downed Eric for one or two nights. I, on the other hand, enjoyed the beach that was there. Hearing the waves was just a delight for me. Then, this terrible typhoon came. The lights went out, it was chaos but fun at the same time! We didn't have beds to sleep in, it was memorable!
There was this one sunset where the beach was all dim and the ocean water looked like mocca coffee due to the storm and the shifting sands.
We made it back to Cavite alive and we also took home with us 2 of the 3 major awards... which made me realize that I am working for one of the greatest Student Publications (official, not rebellion or underground) in the Philippines. Wow. I didn't believe that at first, but once we held onto those awards... for two years now, it was just unbelievable.
The pictures I have of the CEGP haven't been scanned yet. That's why the poster above is just a picture of our winning issue.
When you purchase a dream. The Honda Satin Silver Metallic CR-V Model 2003 was the jewel of all improvements in our family's lifestyle in 2003.
Dad came home in the middle of the year and brought home goodies such as a digital camera for me (which worked wonders, look at my online journal now!) and improvements to the house.
My mom worked vigorously in getting the house shaped up. She handled the house while my dad was gone. I'm just proud of her. She's taking care of her two sons while my dad is away. That's a hard thing to do, and I admire my mom for that.
My brother on the other hand has also matured... everytime I see him, I don't look at him as immature. I only look at him as a younger brother, not an immature being. He has a girlfriend in New Zealand right now. She used to study in Atheneum but she moved there. Talk about Lord of the Distances... Long-Distant Fellowship Rings... I meant... Long-Distance Relationships in a Lord of the Rings setting.
We love you dad. Take care of yourself always when you're out there! And to my family (mom and brother), you guys are doing great. Stay strong always.
The Sophomore Slump begins. We were no longer like those innocent Freshmen. I recall during the first week of classes I kept my chin an inch or two higher than usual just to show I'm not a Freshmen anymore... I mean, it was hard to tell during those days.
The male dormitory compound had expanded into three buidlings from the previous and pioneering solo building. More new dorm mates, more new friends, and the solidying presence of a tropa that called itself NC14.
Roses are red, while some are blue. The first time I danced with a debutant was with Charmagne at the elegant Coconut Palace behind the CCP Complex. That was on an evening in early June just a week before 2nd year college began.
The first time I was officially a rose in the 18 roses was for Katz Debut in San Pedro, Laguna. That was on the eve of my 18th Birthday... so the feeling was mutual... hahaha. They handed me a bottle of white wine... which eventually I never got to drink.
The Las Piñas girl, Rona, had her debut in San Pedro, Laguna like Katz. It was in late September. What I remember the most was the afterparty at Apple's which was the first time I believe I got drunk. You can read more about that later.
During Sembreak 2003 in late-October was Arazeili's debut in Silang, Cavite. I was supposed to be the emcee with Ate Angge, but Ate Angge was sick so Jessica Fenol and Ayesha de Celis helped me out on stage. It was a strange debut since it brought together the oddest bunch.
Joel with his best friend from Cebu, Alex... was there. The last time I saw Alex was in Baguio, so it was weird seeing this guy at a classmates debut. Aldrich came, which was very significant to Ara. While I brought my HS classmate Rom with me. How strange is that?
Ate Angge's debut followed in the 2nd Semester in late-November. I brought Jerson with me, who is a former classmate in Broadjourn. It felt good reuniting him with my classmates. It was at Ate Angge's debut that I had my first taste of red wine. I was one of the 18 shots.
Kaya mo na 'tol! It was my first time to Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City. The place was loaded with yuppies, I thought I would be seeing other college level peeps that looked like us... but when we were there among those taller people... all with blue-collared jobs and everything... it didn't help but make me feel like a little kid again.
We hung out at "The Basement", the lady at the ticket place didn't believe I was 18. She smiled and joked, but the thought was there. I know, I look like a little grown up boy... boyish features and everything, but it was a bit frustrating. We got in, and I drank two San Mig lights and we danced on this body-to-body dancefloor... talk about PACKED!
It was fun, but Joel had the most fun since we all waited for him till he was finished enjoying himself at Ipanema. I had a terrible stomach ache while the rest, like Basil & Gail, were just too tired. We slept over at Joel's place inside Camp Aguinaldo.
Like the Last Supper, but it wasn't the last. That is how we looked like. We looked like Jesus and his disciples during "The Last Supper" when we combined tables at KFC, McDo, Pizza Hut, Inazalle Chicken, etc.
During the earlier tropa dinners, we were "complete" when we had the guys like Karl, Brian, Kelvin, Kevin, etc. But later on they broke away and would rather spend their evenings playing Counterstrike like if it was brand new.
Those that remained, to me, are the tropa peeps inner circle. We just ate together and chatted about anything. Those were the moments. Sigh.
By the end of 2003 our tropa dinners were mostly at Ed's Chinese Food Castle (heheh). Eating every night with these guys has to be one of the most memorable of the most memorable... hahaha.
And now we enter the last half of the 20 best memories...
Performance Level, again. If once, twice, even thrice wasn't enough- take two more performances and see if that's enough for them. Our block section was asked to perform again for the usually First Year-only Buwan ng Wika parade and competition.
The theme this year was "Pelikula" and our professor, who happens to be one of the top faculty of the Languages Department, had us watch and execute the most memorable scene of Tatarin. Tatarin is a semi-bold movie about womanhood, freedom, and a cult. This cult worships this tree in the middle of the forest and it makes women horny.
Place that next to "Bagong Buwan", "Ibong Adarna", and "Mano Po" and you'll get the point of how sizzling and artsy our performance was, not to brag. The author of the Retorika book, Jose A. Arrogante said to a number of my classmates that our performance at the Rotonda was the most applauded. Later on, we bagged third place. The same place we got during our first year performance at the same competition. Last year we did this dramatic re-enactment of the Burnhams Hostage Tragedy with this artsy "Ina ng Bayan" linkage to it.
Then for our PHED103 Exotic Dance (heheh) we were combined with our instructor's other block section, Polsci 2-1, to perform the Egyptian dance for another mass demonstration. Our costume was made by my classmate Kay and her mother. It was bright yellow, so we stood out in that open field. It was embarassing wearing that yellow egyptian skirt (everyone had to wear it). I didn't really like the opening of our performance... it was just too damn weird. And the music, "Walk Like an Egyptian" from the early 1980s was just... well, let's leave it at there. I wish we performed "Baby Boy" by Beyonce Knowles, which was a hot new hit at that time.
Ito ang tama! This should be part of the debut memory, but in itself this was the most memorable event to me when it comes to drinking.
This happened after Rona's debut in San Pedro, Laguna. A number of my classmates and I left for Apple's house in the same town. We were supposed to drink just light, because there were many of us including my best friend Lance. We shared glasses and passed it around. I drank Gin Po and Red Horse. I was tired of waiting for the glass and I really wanted something to drink next to that tasty pulutan (mojos, french fries, all things potato!).
I went to the kitchen and got a new glass from Apple, she was with her boyfriend Richard at that time. No one noticed I got a new glass and had it for myself. I kept pouring myself Red Horse after the Gin Po ran out. I think an equivalent of two normal-sized bottles of Red Horse was enough to kick me to the edge. I was heavily tipsy at that time. I could still remember things, but I believe that was the closest I ever got to being drunk.
We rode with Upper and I remember sitting on someone's lap since we were crowded in her SUV. We dropped people one by one, and as we drove the scary 4am streets of Laguna, I recall laughing endlessly and moving my head from side to side... it was just fun.
We even accidentally went to Coastal Road when Upper took a wrong turn. We had to go straight into Manila just to turn around at Coastal Mall and make our way back to La Salle. That was so memorable!
From all that fun, also came the all the drama...
Traumatized. This memory was tied with me throwing up at Charmange's dorm (to be mentioned later) as the worst event for me personally in 2003.
Not that I was responsible for the heart and chest pain Tony experienced, but seeing the pain in his eyes made me feel it to. I was such an empath! I met Tony, a first year AB Communication student, in the dorms. He was the first AB Comm guy that I met at the dorms. Ever since I dormed on La Salle, I was always known to be the only "Mass Media Man" there. When I met him, I got all excited and told him countless stories of how haggard life can get in Broadjourn and AB Comm.
On our first meeting, we spoke for three hours! And on this one evening, we spoke for six hours in my dorm room!
Then, sometime in late June before I was getting picked up by my parents to go home... he confesses that he's been experiencing heart and chest pains wherein he would completely pass out. It happened to him in his class at JFH, it happened to him in the Library, and he didn't know what was going on with him.
I thought it was just a temporary thing... maybe he's just tired. He is, by the way, class president of COM1-1. I helped him research it on Alex's computer and we said it was glycemia... or the lack of food and all the stress, etc.
Then one night we were at the e-house. We were sitting on the sidewalk talking when suddenly I felt something heavy hit my left leg. He collapsed onto my left leg! I immedietly tried to get him up and demanded we return to the dorm, he was a bit conscious so he got up. He tried so hard to walk back to our compound. Half way there he collapsed onto the bushes, I helped him back up.
We had to carry him into a neighboring dorm room where a new scene was made. At that time, I knew that Tony couldn't be taken to the Hospital... it would only get worse there. He just has to take his medicine like what the doctor ordered.
He had these attacks every few seconds... then every few minutes... and finally after bringing him to his dorm room (F7) his attacks had stopped. In each of his attacks, he would avoid screaming with pain... he'd breathe heavily and he'd squeeze the part of his chest above his heart. Ouch.
Before he went asleep, it was just the two of us in his room. He told me not to leave until he was asleep. He didn't even need to say that, it was programmed by default for me. I gave him a glass of water and then he asked me "What if I don't wake up tomorrow?"
I told him "No!"... and I was shocked he'd ask that. I told him tomorrow he'll see all the nice and beautiful girls of COM1-1 again... tomorrow will be a great day for him. He fell asleep afterwards.
I didn't leave his room after he fell asleep. It echoed in my head... what if he was right? What if he didn't wake up in the morning? I tried to avoid thinking that way, but it kept entering my head.
Eventually the following day was the most depressing day of 2003, I believe. I carried this sad face to class and in our REED103 I told Mr. Sepeda that I'll lead the closing prayer dedicated to the health of Tony.
Throughout that day, I felt like he was still there in his room lying down. I wanted.. no, I needed to see him walking around. That image of him experiencing that unknown pain in his heart was just tattoo'd on my mind.
***
His attacks continued. I noticed the interval was every other week. And in every other week he'd have that attack, he'd have it at least twice in that one week. There were many episodes we carried him to this room, to that room. There were many episodes a lot of dorm mates were looking at him unconcious.
The worst location he collapsed at was in front of Red Ribbon, which was still undergoing construction at that time. He just suddenly collapsed there on one of our tropa dinners. We called this tricycle from the Aguinaldo Highway to drop us to the dorm from there. I was in the tricycle compartment holding his head because he kept leaning forward which was dangerous.
It got less and less traumatizing... it got to a point where it was normal. I spoke to him about having check-ups and everything. Eventually after Sembreak 2003 (late-October) he said he had a series of medical examinations and physicals and that doctors gave him this treatment.
Afterwards... in the 2nd Semester (November 2003 onwards)... his attacks have stopped. His one month trial (November) ended successfully. I just pray he has those check-ups once in a while to make sure he is still ok.
Magpakailanman... joke! (That was real drama for me.)
Let's travel north again...
The commute to the summit. I never knew that an International Students Association existed in DLSU-D until around October when Ate Blaire, a 4th year AB Comm student and navy brat like me, told me about it. There was a planned ISA trip to Baguio for the Sembreak 2003 (late-October).
What was thought to be this happy group of ten or more people was just four of us! Hahaha. Aldrich, Zubair, Yousuf, and myself joined our adviser Sir Sieg in commuting to Baguio.
We took a bus from Dasma Bayan to Lawton and from Lawton a taxi to the Cubao Terminals. Wow, it was really a late-night adventure for me! Heheh. We left Cubao at midnight for Baguio City. We stopped by three stops on this ultra-freezing bus... yes... it was a damn FREEZER in that bus! I was wearing my new Bench jacket and still my ears were starting to freeze.
I remember Aldrich and I trying to balance the coffee cups, hoping it won't spill. It was like playing this game where you can only drink when the road is smooth... hahaha. Sigh.
In Baguio we were greeted by the Foreign Student Association of St. Louis University-Baguio. They were just so hospitable! The lady there was just so nice... so nice and warm it made me just want to study at SLU for a summer... take up Mass Comm there and have it accredited back in DLSU-D. Hehehe.
They brought us to this one conference room where one by one these foreign people entered. I couldn't stop smiling and laughing.. I was uncontrollable at that time! I mean, there was this one Nepalese guy who came in... then this guy from India... don't forget Yousuf is from Pakistan (who studied in Saudi Arabia). Then a group of Indonesians and another group of Koreans entered. They told us stories of how close they are to each other. It was like a summit of all the United Nations! Hahaha.
We went hunting for a hotel and the feeling was great to be free. Unlike my previous trip to Baguio in April of this same year, we had to commute to get around. FX after FX to go to all the markets, all the parks, all the bars at Legarda Avenue.
We stayed for three days, but believe it or not two days was the set limit already by our adviser. We went to Padi's Point-Baguio on two nights... the place was under black light and it was just awesome watching the singers. They sang "Baby... I want you... but I don't what to say..." (that Joy Enriquez song) and it made me think about Badge again.
I also met up with my classmates Apple and Jezire, who were up at Baguio for a week as well! We met at Lourdes Grotto, and it just added to the memories. I was tipsy on this one night... it was embarassing! ü
From Baguio to Batangas. That's exactly how Sembreak 2003 (late-October) went. After returning to Cavite, days later I was spending time in CHCC (recollection/retreat place of DLSU-D students) Batulao, Batangas with the Heraldo Filipino.
It was our Midyear Seminar. During our three days there, we once again had the time to get closer to each other... especially to the new batch. On the cultural arts night, our group won after we performed "Mariposa Dinga and the Pepeng V" directed and choreographed on-the-spot by Mark Baquiran (3rd Year AB Comm, Photo section).
It was just hilarious. I played the part of Ben Tambling... hahaha. Then on another performance, Tom Wagan dressed up and did Tatarin with Kate Mamon and their group! Hahaha.
Maybe I shouldn't be mentioning this, but on the last night there Junjun (2nd Year Psych, Literature section) had sighted something strange... he was shaking so badly... his face was pale white! They even entered our room to calm down. Then, after falling asleep briefly, they all entered again and Junjun led a series of Hail Mary's. That was a rather frightening experience... we don't know what he saw... except Demo I think.
We've just finished the first fiftheen best memories of 2003. Now we draw ourselves towards the end of the year and towards the most affecting memories of 2003...
I love you guys. I probably couldn't say it in any other way. It was in 2003 we had set aside time to see each other again. Who am I talking about? I'm talking about my closest friends since High School. I used to call our little circle of friends "G7" (to contra the whole GNOTEK thing)... but now it don't matter. These are the people I started with when I came to the Philippines. And there's nothing or no one that can prevent me from going back to them.
It started this year with Erika's 18th Birthday in April. We met up in Robinsons Imus and were taken to her house in the same town. Then we met again on Joy's 18th Birthday (during Sembreak 2003, late-October/November 1).
We met up at SM Bacoor and commuted to Glorietta (G4) where we went window shopping. Afterwards we retreated back to Cavite and ate at the Balsa, a locally famous restaurant in Bacoor. That's where we had a lot of sharing. I drank two Red Horse bottles and a Colt Light which got me a bit tipsy.
It was a perfect reunion right there. The full moon was reflecting off the waters next to our floating kubo (balsa). We shared to each other "Things we regret..." to "Things we miss in High School"... and so on. I told everyone, and Joy herself, about my conflict of love during High School.
And finally in December during the Holiday Season, we met up at Nikki's house. I came late while the others went swimming (it must've been freezing, it's so windy over there in Dasmariñas). And then they came over after Christmas to my house to watch Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
I'm hoping we can have more of these in 2004.
What time is it? That was the question I'd ask before going to sleep in my dorm room this past 2nd year College (since June). Someone would respond "Quarter to two" ... in the morning!
This has to go down as one of the most longest and lasting memories of 2003, and it will probably continue into 2004 as well. My room mate Alex would be found on his laptop playing some game or listening to some sentimental music on his headphones. Jan Arian and Tony, the guests who could be considered as the 4th and 5th room mates of mine in a 3-person room, would be found next to Alex and the three would be taking turns on the laptop.
Tony would occasionally play the piano in the room. Then, every few minutes or so another friend of ours would enter our room, mingle, and walk out. Suddenly, the rice is finished cooking (it's prohibited to cook in the dorms, even rice) and the plates come out. Then we all pour tuna or sardines on top of them. Or, if Alex brought some food from home, it would be heated in the Dorm Microwave down the hall and they'd eat.
Our third room mate, Kyle, would usually be in another room (Brian's room in B4 or Karl's room in B3). But when he's in our room he'd be watching VCD movies... not bold, but pirated VCD movies of the latest movies.
The scene in our dorm room is just memorable. After a long day, there's always a long night to relax and to hang out in the presence of your friends.
The Light of Love. The topic for the 2nd Year Recollection is "The Risk of Loving" and it was also around the time I was planning on making my first official move into courting someone who I've known for over a year now.
Basically the whole one-day recollection was just about that. Guess what songs these lines come from:
Baby I want you but I don't know what to say...
Have you ever tried to find the words but they don't come out right...
Let's take it slow, so slow...
But no other song could have ever said it like this:
If it's wrong to tell the truth
What am I supposed to do?
If all I wanna do is speak my mind
If it's wrong to do what's right
I'm prepared to testify
If loving you with all my hearts' a crime
Then I'm guilty.
It was on this date this past year that my close friends Eric and Leah became "Eric & Leah". Eric made his final move of courtship when he popped the question, and I was moved by it too... heheh. Because the only thing I knew between the two of them (him and Leah) is that Eric is txting Leah all the mushy stuff. I always see Leah's reaction at Ed's Food Castle (she dorms, and Leah hangs out with NC14). Leah is always smiling.
The two getting together was a bit more low key compared to me trying to get to Badge. Another classroom romance, Tope and Joy, has been something to watch in JOU2-1 this past year. Joy wasn't ready for a relationship yet, so she had to turn Tope down. But two days before Tope's Birthday in December, she answered him.
This in itself was memorable because by December 2003, everywhere I looked I saw couples. I was among the few in the remaining singles club. Everyone had a significant other. I recall crossing the street at Gate One and found myself standing in a crowd of couples holding hands.
I gave my letter to Badge and that ended the recollection for me. I hated it when our thing was just so publicized in Broadjourn 2-1. All those eyes on us just made me tense and lose the words to say to her. If only we had some time alone to speak.
After the recollection I stayed overnight at Charmagne's dorm with "The Other Side of Broadjourn". I was with Jeremy, Natz, Keith Rosales and tropa. I had my first taste of Brandy (Fundador) and I drank this whole El Grande of Red Horse. It was also the first time I threw up at a drinking place.
The following morning was also the worst hangover I ever had ever since I started drinking. I missed my Friday morning classes (World Litt make-up, World Litt proper, Logic). Tope scolded me during Intro to Broadcasting about having hangovers, etc. I hate Fundador! That stuff makes you throw up! Gin Po na lang!
Gising Na! (Hindi, gising pa ako.) This is the last single most memorable event for me in 2003. I've never been to a single Simbang Gabi in my entire life, and during the week of the Prelim Exams in mid-December, I had no idea Tony would be so zealous!
He said he was going with the sisters at the e-house to attend Simbang Gabi at 4 o'clock in the morning at a church in Area 1. I didn't go on the first night, but on the second night (er, morning) I went and so did Lance.
It was just a unique experience to be riding a jeep 4 o'clock in the morning and passing by Kadiwa. And you know how
Kadiwa looks like right? It's this bustling market that just smells so terrible you can't bear it sometimes. When our jeep was caught in traffic there, it felt like we were soldiers or something and I was this journalist and we were passing by a market in Saigon or something... heheh.
We arrived at the church and after getting through the crowds, we emerged on the 2nd floor and met up with the radical and the nicest sister of the e-house. After mass we bought Puto Bumbong and at the dorms feasted on it until the sun started to rise.
Moments like those.
And now, the last of the most memorable of 2003. This next one isn't a reflection or memory of a single event. It also isn't a reflection or memory of one or two interconnected events. This next one was the most affecting problem that lasted a year. It started the year off, and it ended the year with a grand conclusion during the Holiday Season.
Everywhere. That is what 2003 for me was all about. It was about me building myself a social life. Going places, meeting people, and just being out there. In 2003, I gave myself "to the world". I made myself there for everyone, for every single one. There were times that some of these people wanted to solve their problems on their own, but I just couldn't leave them alone. That was my fatal mistake.
It was like fighting pirates on three galleons next to my ship. I had two swords in each of my hands and I kept lashing out trying to keep them off my ship. I was near the edge, ready to fall into the deep ocean. I always made sure I had someone there next to me holding me back from falling.
It could be the girl of my dreams. But I'm just too damn picky. I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm not the everyday Juan dela Cruz who sees a nice girl and after getting to know her a bit, make her my girlfriend. No. I have standards, not in any measurements... but the standard that the first time I look this girl in the eye... I know that we're soulmates and we belong together.
I'm not sure, but unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet.
My love of friends was the sole driving energy that kept me out there and kept me going strong. When you give yourself out, you tend to lose energy and LOSE YOURSELF. And the only force out there that can re-charge you or reciprocate all that you give to the world would come in the form of a girlriend or in the form of a best friend.
There, I mentioned it. In 1st year college, I was just too preoccupied to adjusting and meeting the needs of the lifestyle of college. But in 2nd year college which began in June 2003, I had reached a platform where I could expand in all directions and reach out.
I reached out to everybody and I needed someone to hold me back and keep me down to earth, anchored. That anchor came in the form of my best friend Lance, who is the longest person I've known ever since I came to the Philippines in 1998. I only started considering him my best friend when 2nd year college began. Before that, the fact that he doesn't believe so much in the "best friend thing" kept me distant from him.
Regardless of that fact, I ignored it and declared that we have mutual dialogue. The two of us can speak about anything we want towards each other without anyone stopping us... or perhaps a little convincing, but we'll be completely honest to each other about the issues that surrounds us.
The year 2003 began with that unsatisfied wish of having "the ideal best friend". It couldn't be a girlfriend at the time, because "that soulmate" I am looking for in a girl was no where to be found yet.
Even if I was the only one probably thinking like that, I felt so alone and so cold. But then there was this dorm mate, a fellow military brat from Guam, who seemed to carry all those characteristics of that "ideal best friend".
I registered two conflicts, and these two conflicts alone register as the only conflicts I've had with anyone throughout my College life, with this person. Eventually, I learned that maybe we wearn't that "identical" afterall. That helped me move on and continue that useless search.
At the end of the year, I realized the search was just too plain stupid. I need to learn how to reciprocate that energy I give out and channel some back to me. I read it in this book "Be My Own Best Friend" which was just so perfect. I mean, its first page was about a guy named George in the movie "Life is Beautiful" who gave so much to the people around him that he felt empty and cold inside.
The book talks about how to stand on your own and be your own best friend.
Then the climatic conclusion to the problem that defined a year came through the txt of a close friend of mine who I was starting to consider another best friend to me:
[I don't want to offend you or something.. but, it's for your own good anyway.. you just mentioned that people you want to be with are distancing themselves from you right? George, it's vacation! It's christmas vacation!!! The time you have to spend with your family.. I know you value your friends so much that you tend to miss them a lot and you want to be updated with what's going on with them (including me) during the break.. but don't you think you're over doing it? It's hard to understand what I'm trying to say.. Sometimes, you need to let your friends breathe, man.. You see, anything in excess, even though it's good, can be bad. What I'm trying to get at is that you love and value your friends too much.. Imagine getting a hug.. It's nice and comforting, right? But if you're to be hugged too tight, will it still be nice and comforting? No, it will even hurt you and eventually, you'll find yourself trying to get free from the tight embrace.. Well, I remember you told me that cancerians are known to be very affectionate and sensitive. But George, your getting way too concerned... please don't be offended for I don't intend to do so.. so going back.. in my humble opinion, your friends are distancing themselves from you maybe because you hugged them too tight.. right now they need air.. they need to breathe in.. and if you would still keep on with teh mushy txt and stuff, you might find yourself hugging no one... cause the tighter you hug them.. sooner or later, it's not impossible for your friends to avoid you cause you hugged them too tight.. George, I want you to do me a favor: think about it. Everything that I've just said... who knows? Maybe that's why SHE's not replying, maybe you're hugging her too tight.. >",< ]
No one could've said it any better. It says that I tend to symbolically "hug my friends too tight that they can't breathe and hugging them too tight will make me lose them."
This ushered in the theme of my resolution for 2004. Which is independence and a stronger sense of being my own best friend.
***
That concludes the 20 Best Memories of 2003. The happy times, sad times, problematic times, and everything else.
ONE BLESSED HIP AND HAPPENIN' NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!
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