Halfway there

 “Yes! Maka-third year jud ko!” And with this, I’ve finally gained the confidence to put in the education section of my FB profile the words ‘BS in Accountancy’. You see, when I was still starting out in college, I’ve sort of made a pact with myself. That I will put my school’s name and my course in my account’s info only when I reach third year—when I’m positive enough that I won’t be kicked out from the program anymore (unless it’ll cross my mind to shift to BS Bio).

 Putting or writing your course in the info corner of your FB account is probably not much of a big deal for you. But for me, it is. It is an affirmation of the decision I made, of this dream I’m chasing. For some, reaching third year might not even be something worth celebrating and bragging about. But for us Accountancy students, it truly is. They say that once you reach third year, ‘safe na ka’  because what you only need to do is to try not to get a grade of F. So long as you stay away from that F pit, the chance of you graduating is not completely faint.

Now enough with the celebration. Honestly, the mere thought of reaching third year makes my knees tremble. I know it’s going to be tougher and more taxing this time. I know that this time acing my subjects will be more of like a dream, an unreachable one, rather than something I know is hard to achieve but nevertheless is something I’m confident about. I also know that I’ve got to step up my game as I’ll be bracing myself for what will only be a Hunger Games-like journey  in that arena of booby traps and mutts such as Cost, Tax, Law, Audit, et cetera, et cetera. I’m even sure there’ll be no enough time to be hanging around the Cornucopia of procrastination and complacency.

 Making it this far is also harder than it seems. The farther we get, the fewer we become. From nine blocks in first year, now we’re down to like two or three blocks for third year. It’s painful to see people whom you’ve become friends in the short span you were together to part ways with you as they traverse another path. It’s hard to cramp altogether the feeling of being joyful because you’ve made it to the next level and the feeling of being separated away from your friends as you inevitably continue to dwindle in number. However, the friendships established will always be kept in ablaze. Surely, the bond created will not that easily break off.

 Two years have passed; two more years yet to be surmounted. It’s all so surreal, indeed. And now, I’m almost halfway there. With the tides surely gonna be more fierce and ominous ahead, I could only hope for things to continue sailing towards the right directions.

 +AMDG

Bittersweet

It was just last year when I had mine. And today, they had theirs.

And as I watched them march on stage—on white togas and all—I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about my own high school graduation.

As I watched them receive their diplomas, I remembered how rewarding graduation could be—how the four painstaking years of toil seem to suddenly become so brief.

As I listened to some deliver their speeches, it was like I was hearing again my own voice—the shivering voice of a graduating student who was afraid of what’s waiting ahead of him, but at the same time joyful for reaching such significant moment of his life.

As I watched them swarm around in front of the cameras for their final group pictures, I couldn’t help but miss my high school classmates and schoolmates. Now I realize I should have taken more pictures with them. I shouldn’t have kept the camera on my bag just because I knew that uploading our photos afterwards would be tiresome and a long process. I should have been more patient.

As I looked at the graduates’ proud parents who seemed ready to shout to the world that today their son/daughter is finally graduating from high school, I also wanted to see again the smiles on my parents’ faces—the proud faces of the two great persons who made my high school graduation come into existence.

As I heard them sing their graduation song, I too just couldn’t help but replay in my mind our own graduation song—that song which bespeaks both the happiness of success and the pain of parting.

As I felt the joy emanating from their very souls, my soul too just couldn’t help but rejoice and feel proud of seeing another batch of students who will soon traverse their individual paths towards their dreams.

I know how it feels to finally reap the sweet rewards of your labor.

I know how it feels to finally part ways with your high school friends. It’s painful.

I know it’s frightening to leave your comfort zones. And you think you’re not yet ready.

I know also that it sounds exciting.

The feeling, the mixed emotions— yeah I know it’s overwhelming.

It’s indeed a lot to take in. And it’s bittersweet.

But don’t worry a thing now. Just savor the moment.

Frown and cry because you’ll soon part ways with your friends. It’s normal.

But don’t forget to also smile. Smile because you’ve made it. It was hard-earned, and you deserve it.

Today is your time. Claim it. Cherish it. Live it.

‘Coz a year ago, we had ours. And today, you had yours.

Congratulations MFNHS batch 2011! =)

Second Semester AY 2010-2011: Getting Familiar With The Jurassic Park

[WARNING: This is twice as long as my ordinary post, so if you don't feel like reading it now, then SCREW YOU! **peace!]

WOW! I never thought of this moment that I would be writing an article about my first year in college. Wanna know why? Coz I was not sure, like anyone else, if I would be able to pull through. But well, here I am, savouring the summer’s bliss, lazily facing my laptop’s screen on a broad daylight and rummaging my mind’s reservoir of memories for some unforgettable events that defined my first year in college. Yep, you inferred it right: I just successfully finished the 25% (Or maybe 20%? Coz there are still those summer classes? Well, I’m not good with numbers) of this make-it-or-break-it game called college—a game we’d all agree as simply just a walk in the park... well, a Jurassic park that is!

Since I’ve already written a journal about the first semester (if you’ve been religiously reading my posts, then you’d know), I intend to include in this article only the memorable events of the last half of the school year. And note: this is going to be random.

****

Victory. What else?

The second semester has really brought with it wide array of opportunities that helped highlight the untapped potentials and skills of ACA—skills and expertise that made victory in any competition an easy catch.

With their vintage black-and-white costumes and fatally killer smiles, ACA emerged champion in the PE Night’s Folk Dance Competition flaunting their graceful dancing prowess and synchronization (who wants to laugh? xD). ACA also showed dominance in the Political Science Debate Competition against block ACD which was truly thanks to the gift of gab of Leonard, Kenneth and Reynold. Dan Uriel was also recently proclaimed by JPIA as the Most Outstanding First Year Accountancy student, wherein Kenneth and Janelle settled in second and fifth place respectively. ACA also took the Little Theater by storm with their winning Sadulawit performance which starred Joan and Solomon. The said play was directed by ACA’s brilliant director, Reynold, while the Magis-inspired props that were used for the play were all conceptualized by no less than the always Magis-driven, Honeylynn.

Well, ACA sure is not a slowpoke in everything—even in politics. The landslide victory of Kathleen Rae for SBM Council 2nd Year Representative was a clear proof. However, beyond the victory, what’s important during the universitywide elections was that we were all able to exercise our right to suffrage in the very first year of our stay in college (yey! Ako ang simula ng pagbabago...).

Journey of formation

First Year Formation Program (FFP) is a requisite subject for, guess what, (do you really need to guess?) FIRST YEAR students!!! Yep. And during the 2nd sem, we also had our fair share of FFP experience.

First up, we had our pilgrimage (which slowly turned into an outing) at Guadalupe where we crossed five mountains, trekked a desert, surmounted two oceans and... (okay, I’m fibbing XD)... where we crossed a zigzagging river together with Ma’am Irish and two tour guides. Everyone was so psyched for the pilgrimage that some even bought those locally-made wooden sticks/crutches for three pesos each to aid them in crossing the waters. But there was this some outta-his-mind lad who really wasted all his energy making sure that his precious crutch would not get wet (hey Sol, if you happen to read this, I’m not referring to you! :P). I was honestly clueless of what his problem was. Well, anyway, the real fun kicked off when we were already heading back to our starting point. We did not hike anymore; instead, we buckled up for a crazy murky-water-rafting which got us all so soaked to the skin and haggard. Afterwards, some decided to plunge themselves into the river and play as hard as they could.

Part also of FFP was an activity called Social Exposure (SE). We were all encouraged to drench ourselves to the unfortunate and marginalized segment of society. Well, it’s kinda melodramatic but it was truly a fruitful activity. It made us all aware of how fortunate we are to be able to go to school, to still be able to eat three square meals a day, and to be free to do whatever we desire to do. [My reflection on my SE experience with a beggar was written in a post entitled A defining stroll at Divisoria]

In this subject, we also experienced our first Recollection which was conducted at Manresa. I personally didn’t find the activity memorable because... I don’t know. It was just an ordinary recollection. A lot of talks, plus the gloomy weather that day. But oh well, I still had fun.

I also won’t forget all the Prayer Sessions, Peer Workshops and Masses for Life that we had. Indeed, FFP did not just help us acclimatize with college life; it also helped us grow and experience the holistic formation which XU is all geared up for.

Reminiscing the uhm, uncategorized moments

How would you feel if your parents—or maybe your teachers—disown you? Yeah, I certainly know how that would feel. We’ve become immune to it. You see, our block during the 2nd sem was sort of living an orphan’s life after being handed to different Accounting teachers. No teacher seemed to care for us. No teacher seemed to want to adopt us. We were like a volleyball—tossed to any direction, grabbed and hit by different hands. Yeah, it was irritating. Not to mention, sad.

Next question: how do you read the word ‘cocoa’? Oops, lemme hear ya’ again. What?? Alright, I won’t tell you if that’s correct. But I tell you this: my experience with this word is one not really worth remembering. ‘Cocoa’ has really infuriated me in one of our English sessions. So uhm, you better get going now and search the answer yourself because Ma’am Jen—she’s someone who really values ‘time.’

Still remember Jabelle Labella? That was the textserye created by Solomon in the first semester. Well, the second sem featured a new one which was entitled "TEXT" (a textserye called TEXT, how does that sound? :P) where I got to play the role of Hark (blah blah blah and all!!). This thrilling mystery-packed textserye centered on Kebin (portrayed by Kevin) who enjoyed doing a little killing spree because he was afraid that his friends might reveal the ultimate secret of his life: that he was—try to guess again—gay.

Of etc’s, et al’s and blah-blah’s

There are still many significant things, persons and events I want to include in this piece like our mind-twisting experience with our you-provide-the-adjective (and very cool and humorous and unpredictable) Logic teacher, Mr. Ortiz, and his nosebleed-inducing, sometimes treacherous exams; the hasty completion of our term paper in Filipino; Fr. Jett’s farewell to XU; my whinings over the new ID-swiping system; turning 17 in the fierce jungle of college; the sometimes excessive (and I know, hurtful at times) taunts on Terence’s ‘oinky-ness’ (pardon the scarcity of term) and Solomon’s fishballheadedness; the MWF tribulation of waking up so early for the 7:30 class; Ate Arbie and the new ACA fam members; and et cetera, etc, et al, blah, blah, blah! But as they say, all good things must come to an end! So I guess it's adieu for now! This note is already getting too lengthy for more blah-blah's! XD

****

Well, that’s basically it! Second sem is now over. First Year of college is now over. Being the newbie in school is finally over. But let’s face it: the game has barely just begun (for us first year students of course! And by the way, congratulations sa mga mu.graduate na!!). We just narrowly made it through the entrance of this park—this Jurassic park.

And personally, I’m scared of what’s waiting ahead of me. I might get lost or be eaten whole by a gigantic bloodthirsty dinosaur! I might get caught in the middle of a fierce battle between two hatchling dinosaurs! (oh this is getting us nowhere!) Or I might get trapped in a spider’s web or get sucked in a swamp full of snakes! Or maybe... maybe I’ll just have to simply SNAP OUT OF IT! I’m not gonna die there, you know. After all, mang-graduate pa ta sa Accountancy, right? =)

2011 plus 1 equals the end of the world

It was just weeks ago when the fireworks were lit up in the sky to welcome New Year 2011. The great relief of triumphantly surviving year 2010 was a common feeling shared by all. However, as we all advance in meeting whatever 2011 has in store for us, we also find it hard not to fear the prospect of drawing closer and closer to 2012— the proverbial year they say would be the end of the world.

Well, I am writing this article partly because I haven’t written anything for ages already, and partly because it sunk in me that recent events – events which are plaguing our minds with questions and doubts – must now be viewed from a new angle. And for this purpose, let me play as your Nostradamus Jr., as we all try to uhm, unveil the future through trying to comprehend the following phenomena/events (LOL!):

***

Manna from heaven?

"A mysterious rain of thousands of dead birds darkened New Year's Eve in Arkansas, and this week similar reports streamed in from Louisiana, Sweden, and elsewhere.”—National Geographic Daily News

The first time I heard this news, I was really taken aback. A huge number of dead birds falling from the sky at the very outset of New Year? Yay, that’s something! The news undoubtedly did not fail to catch the attention of the world. And though scientists already declared scientific explanations for such ‘rain of dead birds,’ people still aggravate the hype by linking the phenomenon to the 2012 end-of-the-world predictions. But then, who wouldn’t? Now that we’re only a year away from 2012, does the idea of 5,000 birds losing balance in mid-air sound normal? CREEEEEEPY omen!

A wave of carnage

Now let’s keep the momentum going. When I was continuing reading related articles from the net, I learned that it wasn’t just birds. From birds showering from the sky, here is another series of unexplainable animal deaths which made my eyes really bulge out from their sockets.

*excerpt: ”Numerous additional mass deaths of fish, birds and wildlife occurred within the same week as the Arkansas birds. These include, among many others:

• 100,000 dead drum fish washed up in the Arkansas River
• The bodies of thousands of turtledoves raining down from the sky in Faenza, Italy
• Approximately 500 birds found dead in Louisiana
• Dead jackdaw birds found in Sweden
• About 80 dead pigeons found on a farm west of Quebec City
• Thousands of dead fish in Spruce Creek, Port Orange, Florida
• Two million fish dead in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
• Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand beaches filled with bodies of snapper fish
• 40,000 dead crabs in Kent, United Kingdom”

A long list indeed! If all these were mere coincidences, then I reckon our world is certainly leading to... never mind. (hahaha)

Not an Aquarian anymore?

To scramble things more, the zodiac sign you thought you were born under, which you held important for your horoscopes, may not have been true all along at all! When I learned of this, it was like a piece of my 16-year existence was stripped away. You see, I am an Aquarian (or so I thought), and now I am totally confused: am I not an Aquarian anymore? This entire buzz was because of this urgh---- Ophiuchus thingy, which astronomers propose to be the 13th zodiac sign.

Well, it’s not actually a new discovery. The debate over this astrological matter has been going on for more than a decade already. And as I see it, it’s kind of a clash between astronomers and astrologers! (To know more about the stand of each of the two sides, kamo na’y research! Haha) I’ve already read a number of articles about this subject and I’m keeping my own stand to myself!

After everything has been said and done, the question that still persists on clawing out from my mind is: ‘Why has it become such a big thing NOW if it already caused steamy arguments long ago? Has it got anything to do with the nearing of 2012?’ (with background music of loud heartbeats: LUB, DUB, LUB, DUB...)

True or not, let us all just remember: “Hindi hawak ng mga bituin ang ating kapalaran, gabay lamang sila. Meron tayong ‘free will,’ gamitin natin ito.”

Tropical snow

Well, I’m not really sure about this one, but when our Logic instructor told us thatHawaii, which is a tropical US state, is now experiencing snow, an influx of horror crept throughout my whole body. To know more about this abnormal climatic condition over Hawaii, read http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/12/hawaii-makes-it-49-states-with-snow-on-the-ground/.

So, d'ya think this is one of the signs?

Party like, like it’s the end of the world!

With rumors about the world’s end mushrooming on every corner, hmmmm...I guess the best thing to do now is just to PARTY LIKE IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD! Before 2012 comes, let’s not forget that there’s still 2011! If it were true (which I strongly doubt) that we are heading to the end of the world on 2012, then the wisest thing to do now is to enjoy our lives, HAVE A TIME OF OUR LIVES! (sounds familiar? Haha.)

Let us not waste our time peeking through the future, for it’ll only lead us to a false path. It’s not the future which paves the way of our present; instead, it’s ultimately the present which determines the future.

So come on now, let’s all together RAISE OUR GLASS! Cheers! It ain’t the end of the world, I tell you. :)

**HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

The Happy Loner

Blockmate 1: Hello Herald!


Blockmate 2: Hello Herald!? (As if talking to a deaf)


Herald: (With a nervous, shaky tone) Oh, hi there!


[And the conversation stops there]

***

[The bell rings for a two-hour break]


Blockmate 1: Where are we gonna stay now?


Blockmate 2: Let’s go to the canteen! I’m hungry.


Blockmate 1: Eh, how about you Herald? Would you like to join us?


Herald: (so glad that he was actually asked) Uhm, well, uhm---- (B2 suddenly interrupts)


Blockmate 2: Nah! I’m pretty sure he’ll be off to the library AGAIN. Study habits, as they say.


Herald, talking to himself: W-H-A-T?? LIBRARY??!! Are you serious? That place is only for the LOSERS who got no friends! A refuge for the LONERS!


[But Herald silently still proceeds to the library,with his stomach growling loudly]

***

I am the kind of person who is very used to being alone. Surprisingly, it neither makes me happy nor sad.

In high school, although I had my circle of friends, I still felt that I only existed behind their shadows. But I really didn’t mind. Aside from the friendship we were building, the security that stems from it was what I needed. Like any other growing teen in high school, I also dreamt ‘to belong.’ I sought for that sense of belongingness. And in high school where the world seems to be literally small, it didn’t take me long to find it.

But high school was entirely different. I’m now in college where things are tougher and people fiercer. There may be thousands of students from all walks of life here, but the sense of belongingness that I am searching for remains elusive. Friends in college are indeed scarce. Or should I say, friends here in college are unfortunately scarce... TO THE ONE WRITING THIS ARTICLE.

But hey, it doesn’t mean that I don’t have friends at all. I still have. And although they may not be as many as the fingers in your one hand, I think it’s already better than having none at all.

Okay, so I’m still sort of a loser loner. But I’m not the typical nerd-looking loner whose vacant hours are spent in the library (although I’m already getting accustomed to spending most of my time studying). I don’t know why but I’m just happy being alone. It’s like I get to observe the world around me without actually involving myself with them. It’s like I’m just in the level of a spectator who doesn’t care much about what people would say to me. It’s like they anticipate for the every word that my mouth would utter. It’s like I’m creating my own world out of my unbreakable silence. It’s amazing! It’s like I’m baffling people with my aura of mystery. For them, I am puzzling and mysterious. And it just always thrills me whenever I see them trying so hard to figure me out with my imperviousness. And I must say I’m loving it! It’s very different from my world in high school – busy, tiring, noisy, no peace, almost without privacy. Cool! Loner? Definitely! Playing safe? Probably. Crazy? You judge.

But wait. I’m not here to encourage you to detach yourselves from social ties. I, too, am still learning to establish bonds and to socialize with others. I know that living one’s self alone is unhealthy, and it may not do him good in the long run. So instead of distancing myself from people, I know that I should start opening up myself to them. I also know that I must squash the feeling of ‘intimidation’ if I want to gain friends. This has always been the problem with me: I easily get intimidated with the people here in college. (But hey, why would I? Perhaps I just need to have a boost of self-confidence! Go Herald!)

You may think now that I’m insanely faced with a dilemma. But I tell you, I am not torn between being a loner and being a social individual. This isn’t a struggle for me. THIS IS SKILL! (Oh yeah? Lol) Without any intent to brag, I know well how to handle myself. I am a loner and can be silent at times, but I can also be the opposite when I want to. I just happen to discover the ‘peace’ of being a loner and the solitude it offers, and then learned to love it. This is indeed a skill! (Whatever!)

So what if I’m a loner? It doesn't add any bout of misery in my life anyway. At least I could get the chance to view the world from a different perspective. At least I’m honing my intrapersonal skill (is there such a skill?). But more than anything else, at least I could prove to everyone that the *oxymoron ‘HAPPY LONER’ does exist!

You have to believe me. I'm a living testament to that.

***

Instructor: Okay, class. We will have a game and I want you to group yourselves into five.


Herald: Uh-oh!


[Students begin to form groups]


Blockmate 1 (leader of one group consisting blockmates 2, 3, 4 & 5): is it okay if we're six in the group sir?


Herald (to blockmate 1): No, don't bother. I'm fine. Really.


Instructor: Oh I forgot to tell you. The mechanics of the game is for everyone to find a group. He who has no group loses the game. In other words, the LONERS are the LOSERS!


...are the LOSERS! the LOSERS! LOSERS! (echoing into Herald's mind...then fading)


Herald: WOW SIR! THAT HURTS!

***

-end






NOTE: the article above is written quite exaggeratedly :D :D :D
*oxymoron- A figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side by side (examples: open secret, living dead, burning cold, dark light)

I Also Had My Share of Such Sembreak Reunions

Let’s face it: sembreak can sometimes be dull and boring. We eagerly want and wait for such break simply because we want to give ourselves a ‘break’ from school’s demanding atmosphere. Ironically, when sembreak arrives, we then tend to curse and nag about it (consciously or not) because of its becoming TOO BORING--too boring that sometimes it seems it can almost kill!

On a lighter note, sembreak has also its likable side. On the top of this list: REUNIONS! For friends who are parted away because of college studies, sembreak perhaps is one impeccable time for them to get-together and a rare chance to bring back into the scene the good old times they shared. Lo and behold, I also just had my share of such reunion this sembreak!

***

Yesterday, 10/25/10, marked the nationwide Barangay and SK elections. And apart from politics, it also marked the reunion of the wild pack. Yes, the not-well-planned and we-lacked-food-but-still-it’s-okay-coz-nothing’s-gonna-stop-us reunion of the SY 09-10 IV-Isaac Newton students, or better known as the ISATONIX!

There were 22 of us, namely (according to the time of arrival): Al, Tisay, myself, Hanzhell, Vevian, Archie, Alemar, Evangelene, Jireh, Nobie, Wena, Joemar, Gliselle, Jaime, Evelyn, Glen, Judel, Maegan, Dian, Edmund, Fatima and Christyl. Johanna, because of her motherly concern for the group’s scarcity of food, donated a layer of chiffon cake and 2 bottles of 1.5-liter Coke even though she wasn’t able to join us to the reunion’s proper venue.

Speaking of venue, we had our reunion at the Mangima Spring Resort, the only elegant resort we know we could easily have access to. A Haven away from home! (I read this in a poster at the resort’s walls while we were all busy haggling with the in-charged lady to give us some discount in our entrance fee and cottage rentals, all to no avail!)

But heaven’s luck! When we got inside the resort, we found ourselves to be the earliest visitors... which only meant one thing: we could MONOPOLIZE the entire resort! So, without any hesitation (except sa mga kandingon like AL! :DD), we then plunged ourselves to the pool’s refreshing, cold waters. We actually didn’t do much than just having to playfully swim in the pool and childishly splash waters on each other’s faces; trying so hard to make it across the other side of the pool without stopping along the way; submerging in the waters and betting who’s gonna emerge the last; diving in underwater to see who’s gonna get the object (usually Jaime’s mirror or simply a stone thrown in the pool) first; emerging from the pool whenever we felt like eating; posing and modeling whenever the cam’s lenses find the perfect angle to shot; and trying to dance with the playing music despite of the shivers caused by the cold waters – while other people as well started arriving at the resort.

Aside from keenly talking about the other malicious people in the resort, we also got the chance to talk about college life and about stuffs that keep us now busy. Almost everyone shared something about how their grades for the first sem went, how their teachers could be so “terror”, how their subjects could be so easy or difficult, how their scholarships might possibly get near in the ‘verge of extinction’ (including me!!!), how their school uniforms look like, how their respective schools top in nationwide board exams, how their schools’ head-turners melted their hearts, and how as a whole, college life has been treating them so far.

Apart from the abovementioned, the most important I guess is that we got the chance to be TOGETHER again (even for just a day). Together, we got the chance to strike any pose we desired in front of the camera, while striking our own poses in our pursuit of college. Together, we happily enjoyed swimming in Mangima’s pool, while still swimming forward in the seas of our dreams. Together, we had savoured another precious time of being together, while further strengthening the so many bonds we’ve established: of being friends, of being a family, and of being ISATONIX! =)

***

* end *

P.S.1: I don't like the title !

P.S.2: Long hair na bya si Shonya ! wuhahaha!

P.S.3: Nagsakay mi ug bus pauli ! Naka-standing position ang tanan... with queen Christyl still crowning the towel on her head ! :DD

First Semester AY 2010-2011: A History In A Nanosecond

Alleluia! First semester has finally drawn to a close. The four months that passed greatly created a seemingly millennium-long history within just a nanosecond. Indeed, time flies so swiftly that everything just seemed to pass like a blur. We might even be thinking now that high school graduation was already an 'ancient' event in our lives... and we might as well be forgetting that it was ONLY JUST 7 MONTHS ago when we actually had it.

Anyway, merely thinking that semester break is here just gives me so much relief: relief from the deafening boredom prevailing in the boarding house, relief from the tight budgeting of the allowance, and above all, relief from the gruelling study tasks and sleepless nights of burning my midnight candle which for some times, sadly, do not pay off!

***

Enough with the drama. Now let's have a recap of everything major major that has happened within the first sem's course of time.

FIRST DAY of college. Well, uhm, I really can't clearly remember the happenings on the first day of class, but I'm quite sure that part of that day was the not showing up of our teachers, save for Mr. Voltaire Marquez, who we initially thought as just another student. Also, on the first day of school, I hadn't totally made up my mind on which to use between the traditional notebooks and a binder.

ACA family. Well, I am just so honoured to be part of such wonderful block. Our Accounting teacher once said that block ACA is the flagship of the university’s School of Business and Management (SBM) which is primarily composed of elite students who obtained a GSA of 95 and up in the entrance exam (and now I feel like a royalty...hahaha). However, being surrounded with great minds can sometimes be draining. On a lighter note, I really thank my ACA friends for letting me experience ‘home’ in my first head-on confrontation of college.

Statement shirt. As part of being one united block, we decided to have our own shirt. The color’s blue, and the print says: “DUGONG BUGHAW, PUSONG DILAW, WALAY ULAW”! The bughaw is for being an Atenian, dilaw for being part of SBM, and walay ulaw for... uhm, let’s just say it’s for the brimming ‘confidence’ and ‘ingenuity’ of the block! (wahahahahahaha! ewan!) And oh, I think the shirt has cost each of us fairly 180 pesos.

Acquaintance Party. Did we ever have such? I think we were supposed to have an acquaintance party that was basically why ACA block shirt was designed. Was I absent that time? How come I don’t remember savouring such much anticipated college gathering? Oh yeah, coz’ we never had one. They kept on deferring it which then so sadly, ended to having none at all.

Jabelle Labella. It’s actually ACA’s textserye created by a creative blockmate of ours, Solomon. The story revolves around the sister relationship of Jabelle, the ugly hunchbacked multi-evolutional sister of Labella, the kontrabida bully. As the system dictates, each episode would be patiently sent to everyone via GMs (group messages). Of course, it starred almost everyone in ACA including myself. I played the extra role of JOVIT HERALDINO (which at least finally fulfilled my dream of being a singer!) and had my critically acclaimed first appearance in episode 18.

BS Accountancy – Major in Cartography. Yep! Cartography, as in the tedious map-making. This one was actually in preparation for our History 10 prelim exam, when we were all compelled to memorize the entire map of the Philippines including the provinces’ capitals and towns as well as their geographic shapes, the regional and provincial boundaries, and everything that is in the map! Net result: gained a perfect sense of direction and a silent ill feeling towards the subject!

Intramurals. Well, I unfortunately didn’t get to enjoy the entirety of it. I even wasn’t able to witness how the SBM Eagles stunned the audience and successfully defended the Championship in the Cheerdance competition last intrams. I irredeemably missed a great deal of it. How pitiful!

General Biology Quiz Bowl. This was held on the opening day of the Intrams. Dan Uriel, Reynold, and I composed the group which represented our block. At stake: ACA’s semi-final exams! Cheers and jeers abounded for us; however, luck wasn’t on our side and we didn’t win. On a lighter note, just hours after the quiz bowl, SBM emerged as Champion in the Cheerdance competition.

Waka waka P.E. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think of myself dancing Shakira’s Waka waka with modified dumbbells in the form of mineral water bottles filled with strawberry-flavoured juice (which was prepared and mixed in the CR!), while doing some aerobics and gymnastic skills (our group got the lowest grade for this activity). But we had fun anyway; and that was what mattered most!

Ten hours of university service. Scholars are compelled to render at least ten hours of service every semester to any of the university’s offices. In my part, I effortlessly completed my service with 5 hours in the Scholarships office, and 2.5 hours each in the Finance and clinic. According to them, such service serves as the scholars’ token of gratitude towards the university.

The genius: Dr. Labuntog. He’s our English teacher - an unpredictable, intellectually powerful teacher who introduced us to the lovable Little Prince; who imprinted on us the XU Mission Statement; who fascinated us with the Tibetan bell; who made us delve deeper to the stickiness of the biko and the crunchiness of chicharon; who made us sing our hearts out with Till There Was You and Something Stupid Like I Love You; and who awed us with his multilingual tongue. Everyone idolize Dr. Mark Labuntog!

Tangled with the Pancit Canton. Yeah, food. I think it’s also worth noting that in the first semester of my being a freshman college, I’ve indiscernibly grown bigger and fatter. Throw the blame to the culprit of this fattening: the canteen’s Pancit Canton! I don’t know why, but it seems that the canteen personnel could somehow cook it tastier than when I cook it at home.

Finally, FINALS! What is a final exam? Yes. A torture! If you could just feel the excruciating pain of our brain cells in being forced to absorb everything that’s in our THICK (and when I say thick, believe that I’m not joking) books when we were subjected to such final exam, then you’ll get an idea how finals could be so hell. I personally don’t even like remembering how my finals went; it’s SEM-BREAK afterall! Everyone’s currently savoring the coziness of being on their cloud nine (which everyone rightfully deserves)! And I, I don’t wanna break such repose! :DDD

***

All the aforementioned make up a history – a history of ACA, of the ‘firsts’ in college, of friendships established, of blending in and standing out as freshmen, and of us all, hitching our wagons to our individual stars – a memorable history created just in a brief span of what was like a nanosecond.

***

Coming to terms with the changes

This is written FRIDAY, September 10, 2010 when I get to read again my previous "ON THAT BENCH" article simply out of mere boredom & ; loneliness.

Okay. Roughly three months ago, before classes opened, my brain was into a lot of imagining how going into college would turn out. I didn't have any idea to what college life would hurl at me, either sweet cotton candies directly on my salivating mouth or rough, hard stones aimed at my forehead. I didn't know. And it sent me that peculiar shiver down my spines. I was afraid of the unknown. I was afraid of COLLEGE!

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying now that COLLEGE is not that frightening and difficult afterall. With all honesty, college still terrifies me (in a major, major way!) and still gives me random moments when I could just pause and all of a sudden say: "samuk! lisura pud aning college uy! maypang high school sauna."

Well, it still is September afterall, barely 3 months since I first set foot on college's groounds. I still don't have any right to tell whether college is the COTTON CANDY or the HARD STONE that would hit any newbie here in college. But one thing is for sure: everything here in college is just the result of one's OWN determination and will. You actually reap what you sow, unlike in HS when everything seemed to be plainly spoon-fed (But I so love HS. I miss HS! huhuhu).

About coping up with college?! NOT EASY! You'd ask me now if I'm already fully-adjusted to it? LOL. I still certainly have a lot of "adjustments" to do other than the nosebleed-inducing adjustments we're making in accounting. Diverse people, demanding subjects, new teachers with *nakaka-OMG!* approach of teaching, very limited resource (specifically kanang KWARTA!) and how to budget allowance, paying visit to my hometown every weekends, totally boring life in the boarding house, housekeeping and stuffs--all of these and more are just part of my adjustments-to-do list! And so far, I think I'm bit by bit doing it with success (roll-eyes) !

About my grades?! Hmmm. Shaky, yet so far, I'm doing good! 'B' is my lowest letter grade in my midterm grades (accounting, of course, samok nga subject uy! hehehe). I just pray that everything would go smooth-sailing for the next weeks, months, and years until.... you know na!

About missing high school? Indeed the most difficult! Uhm (teary-eyed), I just keep on reminiscing the past, on excavating memories, on resurfacing the youthfulness of my HS life, and keep on praying, for I know that a time will come when the PAST would eventually just become a blurred vision in our memories. And I don't want that to happen. I'm keeping my fingers crossed: I want everyone to stay in my memory, to remember them as if it was just like yesterday. I miss the ISATONiX & my other former high school classmates; my teachers and mentors; the school guards and the frequent squabbles with them; the Mondays/Fridays flag ceremonies and Maam Chico's motherly rantings; the CATs' snappy commands and the elements' as-if-I-care response; Pogi's tempuras, fish balls, manggang hilaw and his wife; the quarterly settlement of clearances including proper haircut check-ups; the foodstuffs sold in the canteen; the many attempted ghost-huntings; the benches; the habitual chitchats, gossiping, teasing, fighting, cleaning (or maybe later), running, playing, giggling, dancing, singing, laughing, and more laughing plus more laughing ending up to more laughing --- I just miss 'em all! As in MAJOR MAJOR missing 'em all!

***

Anyways (still teary-eyed), in my three-month long college life, a lot has changed. I'm around good people here in college. Although they still intimidate me, I somehow could manage to squeeze through my wild, noisy block, block ACA! I was at first timid whenever I'm with the group knowing that we're only about five people who came from 'Nat'l High Schools', with the rest coming from semi-private or private schools (but then, who cares?). I'm also happy to befriend some XUHSians and other private-school-groomed students whom I initially thought were "maarte and all" but contrarily proved to be friendly and happy to be with! The teachers as well are nice. However, I don't know if I'd ever find a liking to our thick, unfriendly books (especially BIOLOGY)! Whoah!

Everything is just so unpredictable here. Life just go and continue under the sun with so many surprises. Personally, I'm still endeavoring to seek for them, for the surprises that could be beneficially life-changing. And in the process, I am overwhelmingly humbled and thankful for everything that has been endowed with me by the Almighty. With a thinking like this, I'll always be eager and braced up, not just to face life, but also to live life!

Ad majorem dei gloriam!

***

P.S. #1: I hope you find my writing improved! Hehehehe.We keep on writing compositions, essays and the like in our English class. =)

P.S. #2: It's utterly funny to think how long it took me just coming to terms with the changes. "KOLEHIYO NA MAN DIAY KO! LOL!" =)

O' Great Mountains of Sampiano

"Hoy, manlaag ta ilang Irene sa Sto.Nino!"

No one seemed to care about the idea.

No one even showed the slightest interest to accept this jurag-jurag scheme.

But before we knew it, we were already a group of seven riding in a white multicab headed to Sto.Nino. With only a scanty supply of food. No water. Just the enthusiasm to escape from the boredom prevailing at our respective homes. And of course, with the thrill and excitement of embarking into such out-of-the-blue scheme.

Well, the road when we got to Sto.Nino was all fogged by so much dust. The scorching heat of the sun was like opening every pore of my skin that it could really pierce down into my bones. But all of it was nothing compared to what was waiting ahead of us, the exciting unknown we were about to explore.

On the way to Sampiano (a sitio of Brgy. Sto Nino), the very location of our trek right below Sto.Nino itself, we momentarily dropped by at some stores along the dusty road to buy ourselves some stuff--ice water, bread, snacks. Of course, like someone who plans to enter a war, we also needed to fully equip ourselves for this tough battle.

Walk. Walk. Walk.

And now came the ultimate test… the real battle against nature.

We were on the cliff, right before descending the mountain. At the outset, we found ourselves on an amazing panoramic view of nature’s hidden beauty. With such rare façade, we took a brief halt and contemplated the breathtaking natural wonder that was laid right before our very eyes. It was such a gift – a heavenly sight of pure serenity.

From there, we took our first step in going down. With the beautiful Ms.Irene Gaspe as our ‘tour guide’, we started descending the very steep, barren mountain. The spectacular view around us entranced us so much that we forgot what we were getting ourselves into. But there was no chickening out now. And advancing together, we bravely passed the rocky, narrow paths going down of the mountain. It was so windy out there, that it seemed nature itself is whispering right directly into your ears. The grasses were strongly glued on the slopes as if they’ve been there from the very beginning. The birds were swaying gracefully with the wind, not even scared of the altitude of their flight. I hardly noticed the exact moment when I begun to envy those birds because they don’t need to feel what it was like to descend from the mountaintop. I could really feel my knees tremble so hard. Even my heart’s pounding was very much audible in my chest.

I could only wish that my eyes were blindfolded so that I wouldn’t be able to see the view below – the trees and houses which seemed to be so tiny like an army of ants in a constant parade. But no matter how I tried, I could still see the view below. I had to carefully watch my every step so that I wouldn’t trip down and end up rolling to the footsteps of this gigantic mountain. For now, I guess there is no reason at all to deny that I really do fear heights.

Down and down we went, and we even hardly noticed that we were nearing the bottom of the mountain. When we finally reached the base of the mountain, all we could think of was that: it was energy-sapping. Rappelling down the mountain was like an endless torture of the every joint of our bodies.

Nonetheless, the prize of making it down there was really an unforgettable treat for all us. It personally gave me so much relief when I saw the crystal-clear waters of the wide rivers that was literally stretched out to the far end of my sight; while the pure air that was enveloping us soothingly caressed our tired bodies. In my mind, I was certain of one thing: it was all worth it.

To burst the excitement out, we passed a narrow, long hanging bridge. The strong winds easily swayed the bridge, tremendously scaring us all to death. Things were made more severe when we got to see the river's fierce current right below the bridge. It actually made me nauseous.

It was about one o’ clock when we officialy passed the bridge and decided to take our lunch. But thirsty as we were, we decided first to seek for a store that would have to sell ice water or any other softdrinks that would quench our dry throats. Not far from the bridge and river, we came to the sitio proper of Sampiano where only few houses can be seen. It was very hot as the sun rose above us, when we finally found ourselves in a small store which luckily sells ice water and softdrinks. And there, at last, we were once again energized.

We also bought two cans of sardines that would somehow increase the very little food supply we had. From the sitio proper, we hiked again back to the bridge. This time, it was a lot easier for us to pass the bridge because we already learned the maneuver tricks the first time we crossed it. When we made it across, we then immediately devoured our lunch. We got to finish our lunch inside a small cave by the river.

By then, we were already so tired. But as they say, nothing’s gonna to stop us! We then enjoyed ourselves in the cool, pristine river as we started soaking ourselves onto it. We splashed waters to each other’s faces; started swimming against the current; and even challenged ourselves to dive into the deep portions of the river (but then decided not to). It was only Donessa and Maegan who did not plunge themselves into the water, maybe afraid of getting wet. But Al, Tisay, Ate Beth,Vevian, Wena, Jireh, Irene and I, hesitated no more in playing with the refreshing waters. With the magnificent view of nature as bonus, we savored every second of our swimming escapade in the river.

After all the enjoyment below, we then needed to hike up back to the top of the mountain. It was not easy returning home especially when you see right before you a mighty bulge of mountain you need to surpass. Just seeing it drains one’s energy. But in no time, against all odds, we made it back on top. So exhausted. Now soaked in sweat and even racing to breathe. But what counted for us back then was that we were able to successfully win over the battle against our nature trek.

As our consolation for this jurag-jurag plan, Irene’s family which resides at Sto.Nino, treated us with the delicious ‘lamaw’, a recipe of coconut flesh added with milk and sugar. It was just so revitalizing, so melting in the mouth. It really did satiate our growling stomachs after just finishing it off with nature’s strenuous challenge.

It was already dusk when we departed from Irene’s house. Few streaks of sunlight beamed to the dimming sky as we exhaustedly hiked (as in literally just walking) from their house, to wherever our feet would bring us, before we could catch a cab that would eventually take us home. And heaven’s luck! A cab rescued us. By then, our untidy figures were really a picture of poor barefooted beggars. YES. We really looked like beggars from the way our feet and clothes were dirtied and the worn-out expression that our faces were bearing.

Nevertheless, it was not on how tired we were, but on how much fun we had, that matters the most. We may then appeared to be so dirty and exhausted after that long day of jurag-jurag – but every scratch in our bodies, every ache we felt in descending and ascending the mountain, every drop of sweat all through this crazy adventure, and every fraction of time we spent together – all of it will be treasured deep in our hearts. Our happy and exciting EXPERIENCE out there was what matters most.

All in all, as we gaze back to that experience - to the mighty mountains and the white threads of rivers, we get to realize that LIFE, in comparison to our memorable nature trek, is also an array of challenges that we need to surpass. That is why, with confidence, we bravely swear to those majestic mountains of Sampiano:

“Whatever life has to throw at us, we will face it with valor and fervor… and then surpass it as victors, just like how we conquered you, o’ great mountains of Sampiano!”

Totong and his Valedictory speech

Delivered: 03/29/10, around 10AM @ MFNHS Gym

High School Graduation was once just a dream. Now that it is becoming real in front of my very eyes, I wish I never had longed for this day; because bidding goodbye to what we have we have gotten used to is unbearably painful. But go we must, for we know that the journey has not yet ended.

Today, our journey takes a pause, as we, the jubilant passengers of this voyage now take some rest. I intend to say this journey to take a pause, and not a full stop, for we all know that Graduation Day is not the end of our story; that this day means something more than the thought of finishing the painstaking four years of high school; and that this day is just another significant milestone of our lives which opens the door towards the wider horizons of greater opportunities waiting ahead.

“Someday it’s gonna make sense,” as one line of our graduation song says. This bespeaks the essence of what we have gathered for at this very moment.

Fellow graduates, we have now finally arrived at the sweetest and most rewarding point of our journey in high school. We are now claiming the moment to rest which we rightfully deserve after four years of hard work and sacrifices in facing and dealing with the innumerable demands of our secondary education. Along with this, I also take pleasure in saying that at this very moment, we not only reap the fruits of our labors and sacrifices, but we also savor the great fulfillment and joy of having been able to make it to the finish line.

To be given the opportunity to speak on behalf of the graduating class, batch 2009-2010 as the class Valedictorian, is a thing that still overwhelms me so much. Even now, the thought of it still triggers my legs and my knees to tremble, not because the information to carry out this task came as a surprise; but rather, because I feel myself to be unworthy of standing on this pedestal and delivering this Valedictory Speech; for I know that many can replace me here, and many could have done far better than what I have done.

But somehow, the four years of my incessant toil and patience in high school has taught me that it was never a question of whether you would march on stage as the Valedictorian or not - but a question of whether you have done your best in this venture or just have played around with the four straight years that passed. It was never a question of how great you were in the four years of your stay in high school, but how those four years have become great and meaningful as you lived in them.

In my part, I learned to put life and meaning to my high school years by expressing my overwhelming gratitude to the persons behind my success. It took me years to realize that any achievement in life would remain as dull as defeat if one doesn’t know how to share them. And I think this piece of speech would not be enough to contain the ever-outpouring thanks I have for everybody who stood by me as I worked for my aspirations, and subsequently conquered my dreams.

As an outset, I would like to thank my teachers and mentors here in Manolo Fortich National High School, my ever so beloved and cherished alma mater, who did not only impart me with the educational armaments in training for life, but have as well molded me into a morally upright individual. I will always be indebted to my advisers from first year to fourth year: Mrs. Lani R. Ua-o, Mr. John O. Urbina, Mrs. Nora S. Gumahin and Ms. Methuselah K. Arenas, whose patience and commitment to teach remain unparalleled as they stood as my second parents in school. I cannot dare forget also my subject teachers from first year up to now in fourth year, whose figures will always have my salute and respect, as they have been the instruments in broadening my knowledge as I take up my secondary education. These great educators have immensely contributed to what I have now become, a student whom they can be proud of. As I speak in behalf of every graduate, a million thanks to you our dear advisers and teachers for freeing us from the realm of ignorance. Thank you!

I also would like to take this rare opportunity to express how thankful I am to God for sending me angels in disguise in the persons of my friends and classmates who have accompanied me in my entire sojourn in high school. My friends, classmates and schoolmates, who have been the set of crayons in my dull school life, brightening up the years of our togetherness and bonding: my first year Aquarian classmates, the second year Sampaguettes barkadahan, the wild Shakespeareans team and now reaching fourth year, the Albert Einsteinerz and most specially to what we have unofficially considered as the fourth law of motion, the fourth year ISATONIX--my bundle of diverse yet united friends who have kept me inspired as I went through my school life. Not long now, we will part ways and go to college, but there is one thing that will surely attach us together no matter how far we may wander apart– and that is the friendship we have strongly established in high school. And all the memories we have fabricated, all the tears and laughter we shared, the memorable times of laag2x, jurag2x, mga kabuang, and all the experiences we had, will be treasured like gems in the vintage chest of our memories.

To my family, I will eternally be grateful for the gracious support, guidance, and love that you have unconditionally provided, as I take head on in this journey. Together with my supportive relatives, you all have become my driving force, my inspiration, for me to exceed beyond my limits, to take greater heights and to achieve all that there is to be achieved. Thus, it is just but right that I dedicate all my accomplishments to you, since honestly, I would be nothing if you were not there, to tap my shoulder and remind me that I am more than what I can be, and that I can be the best among the rest. Thank you so much for letting me experience what it is like to be going to school, and eventually be educated. A big fraction of my life will never stop thanking you, as I will now be heading to the uncertain world of reality.

Above all, I want to thank Him for definitely showering me with all the blessings in heaven – for the strength which allowed me to push through, for the patience which made me learn to make sacrifices in many aspects of life, and for letting the paths of those crucial persons who helped me overcome the odds to coincide with mine. In this day, we praise and glorify our most powerful and benevolent God as He makes our paths always level and victorious, leading us right now to our Graduation Day. And for His glory, we are now chins up, proud and glad, to march on stage and take our diplomas.

In the end, the road to El Dorado has not been easy. It was never been a promise of a bed of roses. Nevertheless, behind all the hurdles that barred us in getting through, we still have made it today. Yes! There may have been times when we felt uncertain of ourselves; when we were so tired of going to school; when we got trapped in studying our lessons and making our assignments or projects; when we were sandwiched between our financial and family problems; when we couldn’t help but think of quitting; when all of our strengths have been totally drained and our spirits have gone low; when our days have gone dim and our hopes faded – but – fellow graduates, let us think of now, and observe our cheerful surroundings, and there look at the happy faces of our fellow graduates, the genuine, wide smiles of our mentors, and the proud, inexorably joyful looks of our parents.

Today we take a brief halt. Today we harvest our yield out of the four years of working so hard in high school. Today we cross another threshold of life and unfold history, as we challenge ourselves to create our own. Let us all be glad. Today is indeed your day. Our day. Our GRADUATION DAY. The mark of what we have become. The happy ending of our high school tale. The moment when all things, both the little and the great, have finally made sense.

“Someday it’s gonna make sense” so the song says, and that someday... begins today. =)

Thank you.








TTT.TTT