June 1991

I left Cebu after my 3rd year in highschool. One more year and I could have graduated with my peers, I thought. One more year�but my mother had her reasons�and destiny had hers.

I was put back to 3rd year when I got here - made things so much worst for me -- but I slowly adjusted. Schoolwork here was a joke. I felt like I was in grade school again. So I figured, I'll just do really well and make up for all those times I slacked in UP�you know, like the whole time I was in UP - hehe.

I got involved in our school's talent show. That was one my proudest moments. Why? Coz I got BOOed.

I was this little Asian girl participating in a "black/hispanic" dominated event. My peers were wailing "En Vogue", "Michael Jackson", and moving to break dancing and hip-hop. I was this little Asian girl dressed in white, all alone on the center stage�singing (at first) accappella to Les Miserable's "On My Own." My mom, Jules (my bro, remember him?), and friends sat among the rowdy audience�VERY scared for me.

The curtain opens and there I was�sitting on the floor�singing� "and now I'm alone again�" and then they start to boo. I kept singing. The music starts playing�and I kept singing. All this time I could see my brother's face looking very worried. I think he was more afraid that I would crack and cry�but I kept singing. Eventually some people hushed and then the rest�wanting to hear what I was singing�then they started to cheer�and scream� At the end of my performance�everyone was cheering and I had my first standing ovation�THAT was one of my proudest moments. Hehe. The next few days I heard people singing my song in the hallway and I'd hear whispers when I pass by. I hear them say�"hey, that was the girl, right?" YUP�that was me�the girl who broke into the color barrier of my highschool. The next semester, I landed the lead role of the school's play - Little Shop of Horror. TOP that! That's the girl from UP!

However, at the second semester I was "promoted" to 4th year. (basically, I only did half a semester of 4th year highschool). That was sad because it didn't give me enough time to prepare for college. I had to graduate without being ranked. I did really well in school but I wasn't ranked so I couldn't graduate with honors - that would have been so easy here - not UP though� hehe. I did get a gold medal for best acting, an award for best English literary work, and best in Medical technique. Now, remember, this was not UP�:

Sept 1992

So I took nursing under the strong advise of my mother. Can I stress: STRONG. On my 1st year of college I was very involved in musical theatre. I had 2 plays. I was in Chorus Line tour (I only did NYC, NJ and Maryland) and an original Filipino musical. Chorus line was in November and "Kutikutitap" was in December. My mom agreed to let me do the plays as long as my grades were not affected. So I balanced between learning my lines and learning human anatomy. I'd get home from rehearsal at 12am and then study my body parts. I eventually finished ChorusLine in November, got ready for my big 18th birthday party and the other play, and then it hit me�I got chicken pox 9. I missed the other play�my understudy was of course very happy�missed my birthday�and thankfully got execempted from most of my finals--maintained an A average�yup�that's the girl from UP!!!

Since then, my mom forbid me to do anymore musicals blaming lack of rest for getting chicken pox. I got involved in a Filipino musical ensemble (less stressful) for the rest of the years. That's where I met my "older" boyfriend (he was 10 years older but had a voice like Gary V and Martin M). But that's another talk show�hehehehe. Broke up with him when he wanted to get married�BUT I WAS ONLY 21?! What did I know about marriage????

I graduated from Nursing school, passed the board exam and my mom sent me to Europe as her present. When I got back, she insisted that I go to med school. Even before I can answer, I was already enrolled in Biochemistry as premed in SUNY Binghamton. She insisted that I give up my singing/dancing/performing and concentrate on school. I did that for a year in Binghamton - no singing, no dancing, and no performing�and was very miserable. I quit after that year. This wasn't my dream and I can't pursue it.

So, now I'm working as a nurse, attending school in NYU pursuing MA and NP in nursing�and singing.

Last year, way before POPSTARS, a management held auditions (just like Popstars) for an all asian singing group - "ricegirls" ala spicegirls�hehehe. I was one of the lucky four out of 250 to make it. With me are Connie (Taiwanese - she's the pretty one), Diane (Filipino-Irish) and Vanessa (Chinese). We've had 2 demo songs and still shopping for a record company. Our management sucks and so, til now we're still shopping. We were working with BMG for awhile but they had a "disagreement" with our management. We're supposed to meet up with people from Dreamworks next month. Whatever�I wouldn't hold my breath.

Right now, I'm concentrating on school, resting my foot, not working since I'm on disability 'til January, walking with crutches (after a freak accident from playing basketball), moved back in with my mom since the accident�and chillin'. And hey, I was also involved in WORLDASIA for awhile. I was a correspondent. I got to interview Jocelyn Enriquez -- no we're not related. Check out our website: WORLDASIA.COM .

Lovelife? I'm dating someone.

What happened to Ben? The guy you saw me with when I was in the Philippines? Broke up with him�well�duh, he proposed so I ran�I was 25 then! What did I know about marriage?!

Will I ever be ready? Maybe. In time. Not just yet.

REFLECTIONS:

What do I miss about UP?

I actually miss the people the most. No one as real as the Upians - or maybe just Cebuanos in general. I've encountered so many fake ones here - people who use other people to get to places. People who expect something in return for every "favor" they've done. It's hard to find unassuming ones here. And some are very superficial. If you're nice, you finish last. Sometimes, I don't know how to be. Being in touch with you guys again has made me realize how precious old friends are. Carla (shout out to Caryl!!!) has always made me feel that. She's kept in touch�she is very persistent you know. Good for you Carl. She has always been a strong force, always kept me in check�thank you! You don't know this, don't you? But you're one angel. Then everyone else started popping up! That was very, very cool�.jetbok with his sly comments. I can't understand most of his linggo�I guess I had to be there for 4th year to understand.

I look forward to the reunion. Even though I'm not officially an alumnus�hey I'm there whether you like it or not. I've always considered myself a UPian, I just happened to walk in another stage :)