Buckling up for this roller-coaster ride

For those of you who are thoughtful enough to ask how I am doing right now or whether or not I’m still alive, good news (assuming that you think it’s good too): I’M STILL ALIVE. And kicking.

Okay. So the last time you heard from me probably was four months ago just before my summer classes began when I decided to make an account of my AY ‘10-‘11 second semester roller coaster ride. I was technically a freshman student then–clueless and terrified. The ride was undoubtedly wild, not to mention, unforgiving. Its ups, downs and loops were nauseating, unpredictable and extreme that it literally shook and threw some of its passengers out of their seats (You’ll get a clearer picture of this when you’re taking up Accountancy. Swear!). Glancing back, I just couldn’t help but be thankful to God that I survived.

Hey, hey. Before things ripen into drama, let me fulfill first my purpose of writing this account–which is basically to make a recap of everything that transpired during the short period of time I was dormant.

***

Scorching tough summer

I originally planned of making a separate account of my summer classes experience but as you may have noticed, it unfortunately did not materialize because of uhm, well, laziness getting the best of me. Anyways, last summer was actually my first summer term here in college. I had Rizal, World Literature, and Applied Chemistry. I was at first flabbergasted of how insanely fast the lessons were covered. Everyday was a marathon of taking up as many chapters or lessons as possible, leaving us by the end of the day perplexed and worn out. Major examinations were held every after two or three weeks and yes, it was tormenting. But, when I finally saw my triple ‘A’ final grade for all the three subjects, boy, I was floating on cloud nine!

Welcoming the freshies

 

ORSEM or Orientation Seminar is a three-day orientation for the freshmen which is usually held a week before the opening of classes. It is an annual university event which started in the year 2008.

Sporting my yellow I ROCK ORSEM ‘11 shirt, I, together with my blockmates, mustered all my courage and confidence as I faced the freshmen last June 1 to 3 for the ORSEM 2011. It was actually unplanned when I enlisted myself to be an ORSEM volunteer. Honestly, I was only swayed to do it because most of my classmates were taking part of it (now that’s a cool volunteer right there! XD). But in the end, I surprisingly found myself enjoying, feeling and rocking the entire colorful event.

Off to the next level

 

Things are much more different now that I’m a second year student. Apart from less-Facebook, more-Face-your-Books policy that I am now setting for myself, here are some of the new things about me and around me which I think are worth sharing:

• I am currently taking eight subjects, namely: Eng. 20, Math 13, BA 1, Econ. 20.1, RS 20, CWTS 1, PE 3 (badminton baby!) and the ever-whatever ACCTNG 4 (Financial Accounting 1, all about assets).
• The university now adopts the M-Th, T-F scheme which means that there are no more lecture classes on Wednesdays (except for some laboratories and PE and NSTP classes).
• Two of my new blockmates are Koreans. I do not know how to spell their names so uhm, let’s just proceed to the next.
• Xavier University has a new president. His name is Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ. His hair has a natural bounce and I think he is a great person.
• The university just opened a new college–College of Computer Studies and erected a new building–P41 M Magis Student Complex which looks dashingly gorgeous from the outside.
• And because we’re now sophomores, we are now officially members of JPIA or the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, an org for the BSAc students. In fact, JPIA held a couple of weeks ago its JPIA Week culminating program which we had the chance to take part of. It was a night of fun and glam as the Accountancy students competed neck to neck in various competitions, including the Search for Mr. and Ms. JPIA for which our block candidates were Sheena and Leonard. There was also an awarding for the previous semester’s DLs (oh, did I already mention that I was one of them? Wuhahaha)
• I just learned like three weeks ago from my FFP teacher, Mrs. Bobadilla, that my Synthesis Paper in FFP (a subject of mine last year) was actually published in the June issue of the Xavier Magazine (not same as The Crusader). How cool is that? I mean, this is huge deal baby! :P
• Our boarding house is now much more lively because of the boisterous new bunch of freshmen in the house. XD

***

Changes are indeed mushrooming in almost every corner now. What's more is that they happen in almost a split-second. Yesterday I was the anxious freshman, and now I’ve grown to be the more confident sophie. And as constant as these changes are, is the understanding that life must continue on. That the roller-coaster ride is still on. That the ups and downs and loops are still there–unpredictable and extreme. That I'm still gonna keep my grip firm. Still gonna work my butt off. Still gonna buckle up for whatever lies ahead.

(PS: ayha pa nahuman amung midterms. YEEEAAAAHHH!! XDDD)

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? =)

A defining stroll at Divisoria

Who would have thought that even a beggar or “pulubi” who stretches his arm out for people’s alms has his own story to tell? Behind the calloused hands and ragged appearance, who would have thought that he too, ignored and dehumanized most of the time, has his own story to share?

Amidst the hustle and the bustle in the crowded Divisoria of Cagayan de Oro, it’s hard not to notice these unfortunate people who do seem to be out of place: the beggars. Today, it is presumably safe to say that this segment of the population we call “mga pulubi” is almost a common sight in almost every corner of our country – a disheartening fact which only affirms how miserable the state of the Philippines has become.

In connection, for our first Formation Group (FG) Social Exposure activity, our group chose to integrate ourselves to the lives of our neglected “pulubi” brothers, particularly those who dwell in Divisoria. In this activity, I, together with John Ed and Micah, had the chance to stoop and listen to the story of Danilo Fernandez, a 70-year-old pauper who has considered Divisoria his home and shelter for almost a year now.

He had just awoken from his light nap on a concrete bench when we spotted him. His clothes, tattered and dirtied with the pollution around him, were on the same untidy state as his shaggy, uncombed hair. The veins of his body were very pronounced, almost matching the long, untrimmed nails of his hands and feet. It was a poor sight that truly made our hearts weep with pity and sympathy.

As we sat beside him, we were all ears to what he has to share. He did not delve anymore into details but it seemed that he was left abandoned here in Cagayan de Oro by his daughter when they were about to set off back to Luzon (as he is originally from Luzon). From then on, he lost contact with his family and relatives and began a struggle for survival as a street beggar, enduring not only the scorching heat of the day and the night’s icy breeze, but also all the humiliation stoned at him, as any other person tagged as ‘pulubi’ would have to brace up for.

It was hard for him. Knowing that his own family has abandoned him has definitely lowered his spirit. Each day passed without certainty of reaching the next. Each day’s sunset took with melancholy, with the lingering fear of not seeing tomorrow’s dawn. It was indeed a daily cycle of an uneventful life.

But it doesn’t end there. In my part, as a mere listener and observer, I was deeply moved by the one thing he still keeps in his heart: his faith, which was evident in the terse statements he uttered that included God, as tears kept rolling down his saggy cheeks. He has not forgotten God even in such bleak situation he is now in. It is that strong kind of faith that helps anyone to see hope to spring amidst the futility of the circumstances. And it is such faith that makes the poor and the feeble likeKuya Danilo to be rich of God’s love and to be strong against the odds.

***

The scanty amount of food (a burger plus a tetra-pack of juice, an apple and an orange) that we gave him served unimportant compared to what we have realized: that we should not judge other people by the preconceived stories our minds unreliably create about them, but instead, by the stories they have to tell when we first lend them our ears... and hearts. :)

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!!