March 27 2006 | Monday | 08:15pm

"CLAMMY MONDAY"

    Damn it's hot all-day. I felt so uncomfortable because I perspire a lot. Wherever I go, still the heat won't get rid of me. How I wished I'm in Alaska right now. Tsk.

    Noontime, I ventured going to the UST library. I needed to search for some clippings in the Serials section but unluckily, the library had just closed today and shall open until Holy Week. Malas talaga. Sayang lang ang ipinunta ko, ang init-init pa naman!

    So to cover up the mischance, I just roamed around campus before leaving. I enjoyed it. In any occasion, I always love to walk in campus. I don't know why, but I just do. Mahangin at maaliwalas kasi. May mga lugar sa USTe na di gaanong mainit. So anyways, initially I thought the campus would be empty with people since it's already vacation but engkk, I was wrong. There were still many people and mostly were incoming Freshies who were perhaps, too excited to enter UST and planned an "ocular" visit of their future cradle. Hahaha. =p

    Dumaan muna ko ng Seven Eleven [in Dimasalang] para bumili ng maiinom. My throat was so dry. My feet kinda hurt too since I caught wounds from my doll shoes. So I stayed there for a time. Bumili ako ng malamig na diet pepsi at cheesedog. Akala ko wala akong mauupuan pero may isang mamang nagmagandang-bigote para paupuin ako. Nuks. Akalain mong may mga gentleman pa rin ngayon.

    Pag-uwi ko, dali-dali akong pumasok sa bahay -- ang sakit talaga sa balat ng araw! Dun ako nag-stay sa kwarto ng ate ko kasi mas maaliwalas. Sa kabilang kwarto kasi, mainit dahil may carpet. So yun, nanood ako ulit ng DVD. I watched "You Got Served" and it was a sensible film naman. How I loved the dance moves and how I wished I was good at dancing. Hehe. Afterwards, I was supposed to sleep but because of the irritable weather, I wasn't able to take a nap!

    Nag-computer na lang ako baba. May hahanapin sana akong online news articles kaso nuknukan ng bagal naman ng internet ko! Kakainis.

    Kinagabihan, nagyayang kumain sa labas yung kuya ko. Sumama na lang ako dahil baka mas presko sa labas ng bahay. We ate at Mister Kabab, an Arabian restaurant. We even saw the comedian, Maveric who was, to my surprise, wearing a hip-hop outfit. Perhaps I was just initially shocked since I would often see him on TV, wearing Retro clothing. Banat pa ng nanay ko, "Bakit di niya kasama si Ariel?" Haha! Siguro nasanay din yung mom kong parang kambal-tuko sina Maveric and Ariel na maski sa totoong buhay iniisip na ring lagi silang magkasama. Hehe.

    I think we're already going to Batangas tomorrow. Wuhoo. I'm quite excited since it has been a while and somehow I missed the place, the people, the fresh breeze! So I guess I have to pack my things right now. Away from the hot hot city again, oh yeah! =)

x`cez: Naiinis ako sa Globe Unlimited services! Di ako na-sendan ng notice na expired na ang unli ko! Naubos tuloy yung p70 kong regular load. Grrr. Taghirap na nga eh, lalo pa kong namulubi.

Can you feel the heat? Burst your sweat and thirst 'til the last breath for summer is coming to town. Feel the heat and go with the beat!

leave a comment

March 26 2006 | Sunday | 10:55pm

"GATEWAY GETAWAY"

    Since I have nothing to do for a Sunday, I decided to spend my afternoon with some volleyball ka-tropas in Gateway. Mainit, masakit sa ulo ang summer heat, pero anong mas lalamig pa sa pagtambay sa mall kasama ang mga kaibigang kaya kang i-chill. We had some real-time bonding moments again. Cool.

    Mas maaga akong dumating sa kanila. Umiiwas kasi ako sa mainit na sikat ng araw. Nag-window shopping muna ko. Hehe. I loved my outfit today since I looked like a summer pacesetter; that each time I entered clothing boutiques, salesladies would right away accommodate me. Sa totoo lang, trip ko lang ding umastang bibili -- kung namimili ba talaga ng i-eentertain na customers yung mga tindera. At napatunayan kong namimili nga sila. Basehan nga siguro ang kasuotan sa pagkilatis kung sino ang tumitingin lang o yung bibili talaga. Nagkamali sila sa akin, kasi hindi naman talaga ako bibili. Haha.

    I met Ate Flo in Food Court who was with a friend, Aileen. It was my first time to see her though Ate Flo has been telling me about Aileen since then. So I found out that she's into volleyball too and I guess we'll get along. Actually she initially misidentified me as a volleyball player too in V-league since I'm tall. Nyak! Hehe. So anyways, soon enough we started to talk on things. Updates, chismax and anything interesting while eating merienda. The conversation puffed up further as Ana arrived. May mga chismax din kasing dala si Ana. Hehe. Kakagulat nga eh. Kaya kahit apat lang kami, eh masaya pa rin.

    Past 3pm, we decided to proceed in the movie theater. We watched "Ultraviolet" starred by Milla Jovovich who was Ate Flo's huge favorite. It's an action-sci-fi film. As I observed, the plot seemed bland but somehow I loved the fighting scenes and sound effects! With regard to Milla's role as Violet, whoah hats off. Kakatuwa siya, ang astig nung porma niya. Di ko rin mabilang kung ilang beses ba siyang nagpalit ng SHADES sa pelikula. Haha. Actually mas maganda nga kung "Shades" na lang yung title ng Ultraviolet eh. Hahaha =p Charing.

    Afterwards, we went out of Gateway. Nag-Go Nuts Donuts kami. So yun, habang kumakain ng napakatamis na donuts, tinuloy namin yung kuwentuhan. Mga kuwentong seryoso at pakwela, basta updates tungkol lang sa isa't isa. Simple ways of belonging and bonding ba. I'm thankful that we see each other once in awhile. I mean, sometimes it's hard to make a get-together since we have individual matters to deal with. Kinolekta ko na rin pala yung potluck para sa outing dahil uuwi akong Batangas next week at papa-reserve na ko ng bahay sa resort. Sana talaga maging masaya yun. Past 6pm na kami umalis sa Go Nuts.

    We bid goodbye to Ana who accompanied other friends and stayed at Starbucks. Later on, hinatid na rin namin si Aileen sa MRT station. Kita-kita na lang daw sa outing, kasi sasama siya wuhoo. So I was left with Ate Flo. Nag-ikot-ikot kami sa Farmer's Plaza, sa Araneta Coliseum, etc. Basta kung saan lang kami mapadpad ng mga paa namin. Ang saya.

    Nang mapagod, bumalik kami sa Food Court ng Gateway para mag-kape. Kuwentuhan ulit, but this time more emotional [nukx!]. Nakakatuwa kasing kausap si Ate Flo, maski ano pang tungkol sa buhay ko na-eexpress ko sa kanya. Ganun din naman siya sa akin, open sa lahat. We exchange personal feelings towards situations which are hardly touched and I can say that our personalities merge.

    We decided to go home around 9:30pm na. Nag-jeep kami dun sa magulong kalsada ng Cubao. Actually the first jeep that we got into brought scare to us. There was a suspicious man behind us kasi, who even took the same jeep. Nagkalabitan kami ni Ate Flo. Nakakatakot talaga yung mama, mukhang maniac o magnanakaw. So I pretended that I left something so that we could go down. Grabe. Nung sumakay kami ulit sa ibang jeep, dun na kami sa harap umupo.

    We parted ways in Welcome Rotonda. Kakapagod pero masaya. At least may nangyaring kakaiba ngayong Linggo. I strayed from the monotonous side of life. It was in deed, a blissful getaway. =)

Betray a business deal, turnoff a job payment, but never betray someone's TRUST. For you might get all the luck in the world but a REAL FRIEND  is hard to find.

leave a comment

March 25 2006 | Saturday | 07:54pm

"SA PAGTIMBANG KO SA DIVISORIA"

    I woke up from a text message by Imee who was inviting me to watch PBL at 2pm in San Andres Gym. Initially I wanted to come since I have nothing to do at home and I also wanted to see up close Arwind Santos [haha]. So I told Imee that I would just wait for my mom to get permission.

    Hindi na ko natulog ulit pero nakahiga pa rin ako. Naisip ko tuloy kung anong jeep sa San Andres Gym dahil di ko alam ang papunta. Kaya nag-group message ako. Nagulat na lang ako nang mag-reply ang isang kaibigan. Binigay naman niya yung tamang ruta pero tama ba namang i-"hu u?" ako samantalang matagal na kaming magkakilala at magka-text!? Ewan ko ba, saktong bagong gising ako kaya parang naasar ako sa dating nung message. Honestly, I seldom get hu u's since I only text people who know me. Di ako nagpapaka-feeling close sa mga taong di naman ako kilala maski sa text messaging lang. Ganun ako. So somehow it gave me a notion that my number was erased already from that person's phonebook. Nakaka-disappoint. Nagde-de ja vu ang panahon ko noong may mga kaibigan akong madali din akong kinalimutan. Sayang, ako pa naman yung tipo ng taong grabe magpahalaga sa tunay na pagkakaibigan. =/

    Soon Imee was contacted me but I decided  not to come anymore. Besides the fact that my mom wasn't around yet, I lose the mood from the said incident. I just stayed at my sister's room and watched "Happy Together". Hehe. Kahit papaano nawala yung bad mood ko kasi nakakatawa sina Kris Aquino at Eric Quizon sa pelikula. Buti pa sila, hanggang sa magkaanak at magkasakit, eh di nawala yung tunay na pagkakaibigan. Dumaan ang maraming problema, walang nagpatinag sa samahan nila. Minsan naiisip kong pang-pelikula na lang ang mga ganung scenario. Tsk.

    Nagyaya akong mag-Divisioria sa mom kong kararating lang sa Batangas. As expected, she refused to accompany since she was so tired. I went by myself instead and in fact, I much enjoyed it since I gained such freedom to SHOP UNTIL THE LAST DROP OF MONEY. Haha! =p Walang nakapagpatigil sa aking mamili. Actually, my feet and head aches right now, out of tiresome perhaps. I went at Tutuban Mall around 2pm and I reached home nighttime already! Adek. Haha. Bukod kasi sa mura, marami pang pwedeng pagpilian. Na-enjoy ko ang pagsusukat, pagtawad nang sobra [yung capri na p380, natawaran ko ng p250! beat that! =p], at pagiging kontento sa mga binili ko.

    Sa pag-uwi ko, may mga nakita akong paghahambing muli...

    Nalaman kong may mga bagay na di mahal para makamtan. Konting pera lang, okay na. Di naman kailangang may tatak. Parang mga produkto sa Divisoria. Quality over quantity. Pero minsan, may mga bagay namang tila ba mahirap makamtan, parang sa tunay na pagkakaibigan. Kahit mag-iwan ka ng tatak, mas nananaig ang quantity of time over quality of friendship. Sayang. Kasi kung ako ang tatanungin, sa pagtimbang ng isang mamahaling [expensive] capri o mamahaling [to love] kaibigan, mas pipiliin ko yung nahuli.

What I really miss the most is not just you or us.. but how it all was.

leave a comment

March 24 2006 | Friday | 06:38pm

"CHILL"

    I'm experiencing the fullness of life today. It's my first day of vacation and I have been spending it with a slash of chill. Here's my story.

    I woke up late. How I loved it. How I appreciated the feeling of getting enough sleep and not being conscious of the time. Actually I didn't use an alarm clock, because anyway I was not in rush of time. Partly, I woke up at 9:30am since I heard [for so many times] my cellphone beeping. No space for new messages na kasi haha. Kaya nagbura muna ko ng ibang messages para pumasok yung iba pa. Tapos nag-group send ako ng morning message nang nakapikit. Haha. Natulog ako ulit, 11:30am na ko nagising. Nakaka-groggy din pala. =p

    Bumaba ako at dumiretso sa PC. Nag-internet ako nang walang ka-limit2. I updated myself and finished some matters through the net. Somehow I really missed these activities because as you can see, I'm really a computer addict! A little later, I felt kinda tired from surfing already and I just decided to go out. Franz and I met for a short bonding at McDonalds. Oh yeah. =)

    Since I haven't eaten my breakfast and lunch, I chose to eat outside and the same time, meet my long lost "twinstar" [the way we call each other], Franz. She's my friend from STC. I met her when I was in fourth year and when she was a freshman. Pareho sila ni Odessa, pero di sila magkaklase. So I really loved Franz' company even way back in the high school days. She's a simple friend with a thumping personality.

    Some people who know us both would really tell that in many instances, Franz and I are alike. Franz has been telling me that she looks up to me and likewise I always tell her that I can see myself in her when I was at her age. We both like Filipino subjects, we love Side A band, my jokes click to her, her stories fascinate me. I mean, even if she's younger, I appreciate her personality. In deed, she has been one of my true friends who, despite distance, never forgets me and treasures me much as her elder sister.

    So I reached McDonald's [in Banawe] past 2:30pm. She was there already when I came in. Haha, at natuwa naman ako sa bungad ni Franz, "Ate Shelly pumayat ka nga!" =p So yun, I sat and she gave me those notebooks which she borrowed from me before. Right away, we ordered our food. Gutom na talaga ko. Hehe. Habang kumakain, nag-kuwentuhan kami tungkol sa STC -- teachers, students, and the changes that have inevitably happened there. Siya ang reporter ko pagdating sa mga isyung STC. That's the reason why even if I'm away from that school for two years already, it seems I'm still there since there's someone who updates me. Besides STC talks, she shared with me her plans for college. Next year, she's a senior already [ang bilis talaga ng panahon!] and she's to apply for college. She told me that she'll take an exam in UST, perhaps Nursing or something related with Science. Actually she's admittedly scared for college and I just told her my petty advices because anyway I've gone through it. She took my word and for me, it's a nice feeling of imparting a relevant thing for her. It makes my purpose as friend and sister to her valuable. I guess this was really a perfect time for us to see and talk with each other. =)

    I went home right away. I felt sleepy again haha. Under the high temperature, I tucked myself and when I got up, I experienced a sore throat! Waah. Ang init talaga! Summer na nga. Haha.

Every person in our lives comes for special reasons. To touch, or to make someone's life beautiful. That's what you are, that's what you did, and I'll be always thankful for that.

leave a comment

March 23 2006 | Thursday | 08:39pm

"SCHOOL YEAR ENDER"

    Kung may madalas na "Year Ender Special" sa TV, aba meron ding "School Year Ender, Shelly's Style". Haha. So before I officially open my summer 2006, I would just like to reckon, for the freshest time, on my Sophomore memories.

    So a while ago we had the final exam and it was a nose-bleeding Statistics test! I guess this was the hardest exam that I took for the finals but anyways, at least it's over and I'm finally free! After that, we just stayed along the corridors of AB, to exchange hugs and bid a temporary farewell from each other. With that, are my hopes that next year, we'll still be the same and be classmates until we graduate. Just imagine those good and bad times we spent.

    Soon, we went out of the building already as we were trying to talk about where we would unwind and celebrate. Actually at first, we can't agree with a decision. In fact, Arene chose to go home already and she missed all the heart-talking session. So as said, we decided to talk on things which was generally on our personal feelings from each other. Barkada talk ba. Since Djhay was waiting for 1pm to get his t-shirt, we just stayed in front of AB. Dun na kami nag-usap. So I first talked with Mau. For the past weeks kasi, there was a point that I got irritated with her. Reasons which got complicated and made my patience loose its spirit. So somehow the tension got resolved after expressing my side as Mau poked a reply on it too. Actually, hindi lang naman ako ang may hinaing eh, yung iba din. Kaya nag-open na rin sila at naayos naman, At least right now, rumors got corrected, what if's became only if's and most importantly, impaired feelings got repaired. Everything boiled down to a promise of starting things sterile and so to straighten what have been crooked.

    I decided to talk with Madie too. I already shared my sentiments with her beforehand so a while ago was just a sort of clearing-up. Honestly, I really thought then that they still misunderstood me so I took the chance a while ago to speak again personally. For the past days I remained silent with what I truly felt about the issue which I firstly spilt. Kanina kasi, naungkat na naman yung isyu dahil sa isang binabalak nilang gawin at ayaw pa nilang sabihin agad. Kaya napilitan na talaga kong magsalita. Hindi ko intensyong mang-ipit ng damdamin pero yun kasi yung totoo. Madie cried in front of me. Of course it had hurt me but I guess I'd rather choose to be straightforward because that's how I become a true friend. In fact I was telling them that, "Mas wala akong kwentang kaibigan kung lagi lang akong nagpapaka-payaso sa inyo." I took my word. I also told them that in a group of friends, what counts is the strength of how you relate with each other. Never speak behind, never keep secrets, for these things start confinements which deviates the concept of barkada. I believe in a philosophy that 'all is for one, one is for all' -- that the problem of one is the quest of answers for the rest and when one experiences glory, pour it to the rest. It's a sweeter feeling that you're not just friends because you smile at each other as you often eat together. True friendship for me goes deeper, to the point that even though you lose all the reasons to smile and you can't eat anymore, you still have friends who'll come by and never leave you..

    We ate at Shakey's España. I had fun talking with them, knowing we were a bit okay already. Okrayan time nga eh, kung sinu-sino at anu-ano ang napag-kuwentuhan. =p Afterwards, we hangout at SM San Lazaro. I really enjoyed playing basketball in the arcade. At around 4pm we split ways already with the tentative plan of seeing each other on the 10th for an ice skating, bowling and Starbucks. =D Start saving guys, for the so-called, "Big Event" HAHA. Emen.

    I reached home and opened my PC right away. I edited and transferred college photos, and what a fleeting moment. I just can't help but smile. Who would have thought that next school year, we're going to juniors already. Mabilis na lang yan, ga-graduate na rin kami. Parang kailan lang, first day class as a Sophomore.

    ** A QUICK LOOK-BACK **

    Sinong makakalimot sa mga araw namin kay Sir Satoquia kung saan bawal mag-Tagalog. Sinong makakalimot sa bawat pagbulong ni Ma'am Anonas, pumasa lang kami sa Math kahit aalog-alog. Sinong makakalimot sa unang pagtapak ni Sir Esguerra, kung saan maraming nawindang dahil sa talino't appeal niya. At sinong makakalimot sa mga wirdong pananaw ni Sir Atalia, na pati kape pinapapak niya. Dumaan ang Faculty Show, AB Week na di naramdaman, at Gawi 4-peat championship na lahat umabang. Dumaan ang RC shootings, di natulog. Naubusan ng boses, dahil sa Speech monologue. Sinong makakalimot sa ga-nobelang babasahin sa History, mga turo ni Mencius sa Philosophy. Ang dimples ni Sir Denden [Coronat-yon], ang RC-turned-politics ni Sir Tobias at siyempre pa, ang Summa lectura ni Sir.. ehem alam niyo nah! Nanalo si Anne sa Ustetika, pasok si Ruben sa Varsitarian. Napilay si Matt, napilay din si Vet. Sinong lilimot sa inaaraw-araw na ka-hyperan ni Scent., ang pagpapaka-bibo ni John CHUA Moran. =p Na-Sheda si Lance at bumingo kay Olivar si Yan. Naging Hot mama si Jade,  rich girl pa rin si Arene. Random things about 2jrn3. Sabay tumawa. Sabay nag-cram. SABAY-SABAY NAG-PICTURAN! Hay, ma-mimiss ko yan. Gusto lang talagang mag-thank you. Habang tumatagal, napapalapit ako sa bawat isa sa inyo. For the splendid school year that we shared altogether, let's make it happen again for the next years to come! =) Love yah guyz!

x'cez: I OFFICIALLY OPEN MY SUMMER VACATION!

                  ...Shades out, flip flops out, straw hats out!!! Wuhoo!

The test of friendship is not measured on  how you began. There may be lapses and adjustments along the way. As time goes, you'll learn to appreciate the fact that each one has a downfall and there's a need for helping one another. The real test comes when you try to keep the flame burning and avoid its ending.

leave a comment

March 21 2006 | Tuesday | 02:00am*

"MALING AKALA"

    Never assume until you experience for yourself.

    I was forced to rush UST for my Biology exam. Some of my classmates surprisingly texted me at around 11am, saying that the exam was about to start and the professor was already there whereas the schedule was 12pm pa. Of course, who would not get paranoid upon receiving exclamation-pointed messages!

So I thought I won't be able to take the exam. There were instances before kasi that professors didn't allow late comers. Or if allowed to do so, there's time constraint since the student was late. Initially, I was thinking of getting a cab to reach UST right away but my money wasn't enough so I just took the usual jeep and traveled for 20 minutes. I reached Dapitan around 11:20am. At the AB entrance, a note said: '2jrn3 bilisan niyo nag-eexam na sa room 208'. So I was really catching my breath then. When I got into the room, the test wasn't starting pa pala! Grr. Ma'am Dumawal was even the proctor who's a considerate professor naman. I ended up sitting and saying to myself, "Mali ang akala ko! Napagod lang tuloy ako! Harhar!"

    I'm so glad to get to know Gege! This morning, I just thought of texting her to making friends and so to accomplish my planned interview for a feature. So I introduced myself and actually, I repeatedly revised my first message because of course, the recipient was a 'Gretchen Malalad'. We haven't met and it was my first time to message a celebrity-turned athlete. I was unsure if she would reply but she gleefully did. In fact she was kind to me as I perceived that she's a friendly person that I want to meet one of these says. Not to mention too that she answers diligently. I really thought that she'll snob or she won't take my questions seriously. With such attitude from Gege, I've proven myself wrong. Maling akala na buti naman at napatunayan kong mali nga. =D

    I was also on the phone with Ate Flo a while ago. We had the usual updates from each other's lives. Later on, we passed a conversation about Ate Rox since we realized that she's still not making herself present in the tropa for the past weeks. It's getting weirder actually and because of that, I can't help but deem on guesses -- I thought she was mad, I thought she was on a shake off, and I thought that she had really changed. So all these false impressions got straightened soon enough. Pagkababa ng telepono, tinext niya pala si Ate Rox. Himalang nagreply. Nakuwento niyang hindi pa rin siya maka-adjust sa bagong trabaho.  She's in an office work at NCCC Mall right now. Taga-imbentaryo ng school supplies. So that keeps her busy. Then again, I had my false judgments. Seryoso pa niyang nasabing ang pinakamasarap na buhay eh yung simple. Oo nga naman. Hehe.

    So Ate Flo invited her for our TropaPeepz outing on April 8 and 9 but she apologized that she can't come. Career mode talaga, kasi nagtuturo pa din siya Grace kapag Sabado. Na-realize ko tuloy na ang hirap niya lalong hagilapin. Di pa rin kami nag-uusap, pero hindi dahil sa naiinis pa rin ako. Siguro okay na ring ganun muna yung samahan dahil nga sa busy siya. At least I was able to put periods along commas and guesses got answered. Pero nakaka-miss lang talaga yung dating samahan. Exam ko na sa Math sa Huwebes, madalas pa naman naming pagkuwentuhan yun.

    I'm finally done with my History and Philosophy review. It's around 1:50am and how tiresome! I was so wrong to start behind. I never thought that it would be that lengthy. Maling akala na naman. Tsk. Good luck sa akin bukas. Nirguna Brahman help me. Hahaha!!! Emen.

..Maraming napapahamak sa maling akala..

leave a comment

March 20 2006 | Monday | 12:43am*

"OOGONIA, OOTID, OOGENESIS"

    It's Kaykay's last day here in Manila. They spent most of their times either in Bulacan or in Balingasa so a while ago, I just gave time to play with her. Natutuwa kasi talaga ko sa inaanak kong yun. Ang cute. Ang likot. Hehe. Nagkayayaang pumunta sa Jolibee para maghapunan. Sumama ako kahit nangutang lang ako sa katulong namin. [Haha. Amo na ang nangungutang sa katulong ngayon, aba! =p]

    Since Ate Inday was carrying Lester [Kaykay's younger brother], she requested me to carry Kaykay. The kid lose its slippers kasi, so the whole time around Kaykay was within my arms. Ilang metro din yung layo papuntang Jolibee. Nakakangalay. Para na ring akong nagbuhat ng weights. Hehe.

    Pagpasok namin sa Jolibee, I was immediately handing over Kaykay to other person. Haha, halatang napagod sa pagkarga. Ate Inday joked me saying, "Sus ganun lang katagal eh ngalay ka na. Paano pa ko, halos buong araw ko yang karga. Minsan dala-dalawa pa." So somehow I realized that it's really not easy to raise a child. Just imagine how it takes to be a mother. On one hand, I also realized that seeing Kaykay hugging and leaning on my shoulders melted my heart. It's an irreplaceable feeling when a child shows his or her warmness to you. It can remove such tiresome. What more if you're the mother who gave birth to that offspring. Children can repair worn out feelings, unfixed relationships. Much so, they can simply make one's life worth-living. *^-^*

    Speaking of babies and stuffs, hah I'm done with my Biology review! Finally. I just hope I can remember all those oogonia [most immature egg cell] and zygote [fertilized egg] terms. Tsktsk. I've also started reading Philosophy notes [my favorite!]. I really want to work hard for it and I believe in myself. Three days to go... =)

x`cez: I got Gege's cell number! Waah. Gretchen Malalad has really been mattering in my head since her personality caught my attention. I'm planning to interview her for a feature story. So hmm, there's a chance to get to know my newest icon and I hope we become friends soon. Yeah. Coolness! =p

Be like children, so solemn and so unfeigned, thy shall obtain the greatest happiness in this existence.

leave a comment

March 19 2006 | Sunday | 09:29pm

"BEYOND THE CONTEXT"

    I've just finished my note-taking in Biology. Man, I reached four pages as my reviewer and my hands shiver right now. Dreadful as it may seem. And I haven't read much of its contents so I guess I'm going to stay late later. Waah. (@.@)

    Despite busyness, I still shared my time to chat with people through texting once in a while. Somehow they relieved my tiredness. Minutes ago, Aiza [a vleague fan] did text me. Kumustahan, tanungan kung ano ng balita sa vleague. I shared with her that I'm thinking twice if I'll still keep the vleaguetk forum open, since there's no new flame happening around volleyball. It's saddening that Shakey's Vleague has no distinct plans yet for the next conference whereas many supporters are looking forward to it. I told Aiza as well that I was despondent, knowing Ate Rox dropped as a player. So despite all, she still put things positively. In fact, she advised me to never put down the site -- that she, herself gets the delight each time she visits. Ana, Ate Flo and the rest have been telling me this too. But I don't know, I'm still uncertain because I feel like there's no purpose if there's no content to stuff in the site.

    I'm reviewing my Journalism notes right now. Pumasa man ako't hindi, mas iniisip ko kung magiging karapatdapat na Journalist ba talaga ko balang-araw. I don't know if I'm going to be successful, in such a way that I can leave a legacy among others. So from what I felt a while ago with Aiza's endearing words, people get authentic information from my labor. A shear of journalistic ethics, I shall say. In a way, the vleague website, as a promotional medium is the least thing that I can do as far as uplifting volleyball. I wanted to pursue a career in Sports Journalism. It's a dream which I believe is my destiny. So now I realized that if I really want dreams to be real, I must begin here. Today. Right now.

I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky.

leave a comment

March 18 2006 | Saturday | 06:35pm

"ISOLATION ROOM"

    My goddaughter, Kaykay arrived from Batangas. I looked after her once in a while and I really had fun. Ang likot niya kasi. Hehe. Of course, she is with her mother, Ate Inday who's our care taker in Batangas. I guess she decided to have a 'short vacation' to relieve the feeling of isolation. Ate Inday used to reside here in Manila but when she finally met a Batangueño [Kuya Joel], she chose to live in the province along with their kids. Anyway life there is simple and solemn though sometimes you'll feel isolation for some time. It's because you're away from the busy city. You feel like you're in another planet. Hehe.

    Today is a doomed day for me. Since morning I've been stuck with my reviewers and books for the final exams. I really hate it because honestly, I'm not in the mood to study. But of course, I have no choice. Ayoko din namang bumagsak di ba. So I'm forced to isolate myself from liberation. My day has been spent all the time in my sister's room -- my so-called "Isolation Room". I make use of the place each time I want to be alone. The room seems darker, smaller and silent. Somehow I'm lucky to have a place like this in the house. But I guess right now I'm cursing the room. It reminds me of boredom during a doomed pre-finals weekend. Tsk.

    I try to set myself by going out of the room. I go downstairs either to play with Kaykay or I chit chat with Ate Inday. Sometimes I open my PC, a game of Text Twist relieves my boredom. I escape from isolation for a moment but still, I go back. I know I really have to.

    I believe there's nothing wrong about isolation. Each one has his fated time to be alone. Sometimes, it makes one happy when one is by himself. When you isolate, you get to realize more things in life. A clearer perspective, from a delusive and crowded world.

    Pero di rin namang maiging lagi kang palaiwas at nag-iisa. Mahirap din yun, nakakaloka. Haha. Chances may be, you become an escapist. You betray yourself from the real world. I believe that no man is an island. One cannot attain full happiness when he's by himself. I mean, "what's the sense of a full-size cake unless you share it?" or "what's the sense of discovering an innovation when no one is interested in it?"

    I still have to study the eight body systems for Biology. Harhar. Too lengthy. I'm quite done with my Journ review but I don't know, I'm still unsure for Monday. Waah talaga, sana Huwebes na!!!

When you feel like your friends had left you and sheer of tears make you feel blue, just remember that He neither escapes nor intends to isolate you. God is just testing the friendship between him and YOU. =)

leave a comment

March 16 2006 | Thursday | 10:33pm

"TEXT TWIST"

    How I loved this day, for I did nothing heavy. I spent my whole time in front of the PC after attending my Thursday class.

    So Theology finals is over. My pen almost lose its ink as I continuously answered the essay-type exam. Okay lang siya, at least hindi objective. A while ago too, we had our final Biology class with Sir Olivar. He just finished the graded recitation and though I wasn't able to answer that good, I just ignored it. Anyway it's over. Tsk. We had a whacky picture-taking after class. I was able to go home early since Ma'am Filip didn't come in. Last day na nga, nag-absent pa. Haha. =p

    At home, I was able to calm down my brain, my body and my emotions. Besides eating and sleeping well, I got interested to a new PC game which truly relaxed me. I'm currently hooked to TEXT TWIST. =p It's a mind-boggling game which actually challenges ones skill in forming words in a given 7-letter [as its maximum] puzzle. Actually I've been playing this before, but then it expired already. So now I'm really enjoying the full version. I spent hours twisted with the game as I've forgotten the rest of the world. =p

    In a way, I can say that the game had helped me to think faster. It have defied my reflexes in forming different words. It may be too hard sometimes but I've always tried to score high. I just realized that as simple as this game, one can really relax. We need not to go elsewhere or purchase something pricey in exchange of leisure.

Thinking is more interesting than knowing, 

but less interesting than looking..

leave a comment

March 15 2006 | Wednesday | 12:14am*

"OO NA HINDE"

    Natataeng hinde. Nauuhaw na hinde. Minsan may mga pakiramdam na di mo alam kung anong tunay na dikta. Maiisip mong napapagitnaan ka ng dalawang magkaibang emosyon. Ang mas mahirap, agad kang hinihingan ng konkretong desisyon kung ano ba talaga ang mas nananaig. Tunay ngang may mga bagay na komplikado.

    Finals na bukas sa Theology. Wuhoo. Nag-aaral naman ako kanina pa pero feeling ko hinde. Habang patuloy ang pagbabasa ko, di ko mawari kung nauunawaan ko ba yung mga binabasa ko. Na-eexcite ako dahil patapos na ang kalbaryo sa Theo pero, kinakabahan pa din akong wala akong masagot bukas. Ganun ako palagi. Negative thinker maski positibo naman ang lahat.

    I did a favor for Diah to make Sase's page a while ago. Somehow it was a rushed project since it is due tomorrow. Anyway it was a simple profile page and I just recycled some of its parts. But honestly, I was forced to recycle. I hate repeating layouts. [perfectionist eh noh, tsk] I'm not used to an immediate webpage making because I devote so much time to design pages. For me, every page is a masterpiece, an art in the cyber world. Sabi ni Diah okay naman daw yung ginawa ko pero para sa akin ang pangit pa din. Iniisp ko kasing minadali at di pinag-isipan nang maigi kaya pangit. Haha.

    Na-out na si Gege sa PBB house. Nakakainis na hindi. Oo, kasi binoto ko siya at saka sayang, dahil di na siya mabibigyan ng pagkakataon pang para may mapatunayan. Hindi, kasi okay lang din dahil napagkatuwaan ko lang maki-'Go Gege'. Pero wish ko talagang ma-meet siya one of these days. [Haha, ehem Ate Cherry... =p]

    Kausap ko sa phone si Ate Flo hanggang ngayon. Di ko alam kung maiiyak ba ko o matatawa sa mga pinag-uusapan namin. Bukod sa parang shunga mag-advice 'tong si Ate Flo at natatawa na lang ako, eh hindi ko alam kung dapat bang seryosohin yung isyu. Kung isyu nga ba, yun ang unang tanong diyan. Minsan iniisip kong mababaw para damdamin. Minsan iniisip kong malalim na rin, kasi nag-uugat-ugat ang mga pangyayari. Kumbaga, dahil sa problema kong yun, naiisip ko na rin yung iba ko pang problema. Pati yung mga nakalipas, nauungkat. Ang gulo talaga. Mapapa-'oo' ako tapos bigla na lang akong mapapa-'hindi'. Tatango, iiling. Tatawa, sisimangot. Ay ewan.

    Pinaglalaruan ako ng panahon. Adek.

When in doubt, follow your heart.

[Esguerra, 2005]

leave a comment

March 14 2006 | Tuesday | 07:54pm

"UNFORCED PLAY"

    There are certain things in life that we can't help but wonder. Questions like 'why', 'what', and 'how' suddenly passes the track. In sports, there's this jargon called unforced play -- a move by a player which can either startle or triumph the battle.

    I just want to set an event which initially happened last night as a way of expressing how my point about this entry goes... I hope you get to grasp something exceptional from this personal experience.

    I was really surprised. From that moment I read the text message from Ate Flo [a friend]. I knew changes will inevitably come as its consequence. Roxanne Pimentel had just quitted the RP team. She is the recent team captain and was in team for around 10 years. Honestly, I was so clueless of the implication that when she shared her sentiments in volleyball [when we were at Starbucks], she would retire as its upshot. Diah [a friend who was with me at SB] knew it, but I guess she had never told me since she thought that I got the catch. Weird. Initially, I thought that she have just been very busy with coaching. And that's why we even consequently loose in touch. We never talked since I hardly misinterpreted her attitude. She said sorry but I never understood. So now I got the whole reason behind it. But still, I keep on asking why. Perhaps I was just still surprised; that though the answers are already there, I cannot apprehend it.

    She had set herself in a more exclusive career right now. She's not a volleyball player anymore. The point is, I will never get to see her play again. And that's saddening for me. =( My friends do know that I've been looking up to her as a player, as pattern for my own mold. I mean, her idealistic volleyball career  encouraged me to be involved in volleyball again and being with sporty people. I met true friends through Ate Rox. I learned sporty bits because of Ate Rox. But somehow I felt from this decision of hers as a downfall for my personal convictions. I gained the sport passion upon her arrival, but to think about her quit, it seemed I was affected because I know there will really be changes from so many aspects that I betray to face. It's like loosing from a track where your direction seem erroneous. An unforced play in deed.

    I will perhaps miss those times when we get to see her maneuver in the court. Those patented running spikes, her supremacy. But truly, I'll long for those hilarities which we would often spend after games. For sure, many will miss her play too. What more to me; that besides being a Roxanne Pimentel, she have been that ideal sister Ate Rox to me. >.< Okay, she's not gone and we can still meet up for some time. But given the situation, that she's working, that she's not playing anymore, I can perceive that she won't have time to hang out anymore. She would barely socialize to us perhaps, for she'll be too busy with her personal adjustments. It's just so sad because I got used to Ate Rox being an immediate friend whom I can share my daily thoughts and problems with. I miss her being like that, really.

    From this experience, I came to think of my past again. For so many times, I had loosen friends, romantic loved ones, relatives, and inspirations. They come, they go. Though I wished they would never leave me, they simply let go. Much that I wanted things get retained, they remain changing instead. Unexpected things happen, to the point of not being equipped to face it. In life, we question certain things, and the 'quest' chances to find answers. Answers which can either make or break, do or die, startle or triumph your unforced playing battle. q

Everything you've done will become someone else's memory. The person might forget the exact words you said, but no way to make him or her forget the way you made him or her feel.

leave a comment

March 13 2006 | Monday | 08:12pm

"SUPURTAHAN TA KA"

    Ang sakit ng ulo ko ngayon. Paano kasi, inayos ko yung webcam at microphone para makapag-chat yung mom and sister ko [who's in Dubai]. Combined force pa kami ng kuya ko sa pag-aayos habang excited yung mom ko. Hehe. Somehow it felt good to see my mom happy and of course, Yel who seem home sick right now. Family bonding, supporting each other in times of longing. Nukx.

    So my Monday has been spent constantly talking about Gretchen Malalad [haha]. As I expected from myself I guess, since she was nominated last night! Stupid housemates, they've misinterpreted Gege's voluntary exit for Aleck before and they thought that she's ready to go out of the house. Mas lalo tuloy akong natuwa sa kanya, kasi ang tapang at may paninindigan siya. My support goes to her really. Among the celebrity housemates, she's the one who caught my nerves because to some extent I yearn for her status -- athleticism and beauty. It's like I want to be like her. She has determination, she gives pride to the country in sports and simply, an image that is idealistic. Besides that, I'm rooting for Gretchen since she's a former Thomasian [Comm Arts] and that she's a member of Philippine Air Force [ka-opisina daw nina Ate Cherry].

    After class, I decided to hang out with Chuchie. For a long time, we bonded again. So it was the perfect time I guess. a moment where I needed someone who can support me. She listened, I did the talking. We mended on the situations, people around and how I simply feel at the present. For the past days, she have been asking me why is it I look melancholic -- that though I laugh, I smile, there's still a shed of sadness inside. A true friend have seen it and I was thankful. I hardly noticed it for myself nga eh. Pinalalampas ko lang siguro pero yun pala, may nakakapansin na din. Maski inulan kami sa Benavides Park at pinutik ang mga paa namin, napawi kahit papaano yung na-fefeel kong uneasiness. Ibang powers talaga ang nagagawa ng Jokla at Juding. Haha.

    Masarap yung feeling kapag alam mong may mga taga-suporta ka.

VOTE FOR GRETCHEN MALALAD!

text BB <space> Gretchen and send it to:

2331(Globe and Sun Cellular)

231 (Smart, Talk N Txt and Addict Mobile)

leave a comment

March 12 2006 | Sunday | 08:41pm

"ORDINARY SUNDAY"

    I woke up early. I don't know, I slept around 2am, texting with Kristine yet I realized that I got up at 7am a while ago. Kung kailan walang pasok, saka ako maagang nagigising. Weird. Paano ba naman kasi, ang aga-aga eh may epal na nagtext sa akin. Napaka-gandang bungad, di ko na tuloy nagawang matulog ulit. Haha.

    I didn't do much for today and how I loved it. I mean, it's rare nowadays that I am able to take time within my hands. I just went with the flow of events for the day. So after eating breakfast, I just did my RC reaction paper. Surprisingly I finished it right away. I'm also done with my Philo reaction paper on Gattaca. My brain functioned continuously today. Great. Bukod pa diyan eh nakapag-internet ako at nakapanood ng TV. I even slept in the afternoon. Simple lang yung araw ko, mabagal, pero ang dami kong natapos at nagawang ginusto ko.

    A while ago too, I was able to chit chat with Globe users. Gusto ko lang i-note yung pag-uusap namin kanina ni Odessa. Biglang nag-text at nangamusta. By the way, she's my former schoolmate in STC who was one of my closest friends. She was a freshie then and though I was a senior already, we really became good pals. She's like a younger sister to me. So yun, kanina na-realize ko lang na nakaka-miss na rin yung batch nila. Madalas kaming mag-chat pa sa MIRC nun, kaya ang dami kong nakilalang lower year levels na tulad niya. Nung nasa UST na ko, di na ako nakakapag-chat sa MIRC. Medyo nag-lie low ako sa pakikipag-keep in touch sa kanila kaya siguro, ganun na rin lang ang paglimot nila sa akin. Ang mabilis na panahon ang dumikta. Minsan naiisip kong sayang yung samahan. Pero siguro, ganun lang talaga.

    Minsan mabagal ang mga pangyayari, minsan ang mabilis. Na-feel niyo na ba yung mapapasabat ka na lang ng, "Ay Sunday na pala!" or di kaya nama'y, "Ay Sunday pa lang?" Pero ang mas mahalaga siguro, kahit mabilis o mabagal pa ang pag-agos ng oras, matuto tayong magpahalaga sa bawat minutong dumaraan dahil malay natin, huling pagdanas na natin sa mga sandaling iyon..

x'cez: Happy Birthday to my block mate, Madie..

        Happy Birthday to my cousin, Ronald..

If I have the chance to turn back time, I would probably be within the days which I did nothing but to complain about how time went so slowly.

leave a comment

March 11 2006 | Saturday | 09:14pm

"OPPOSITE TRAITS"

    I've just arrived home. I was with my mom and brother to eat dinner outside. Nagyaya ako sa Don Henrico's [West Triangle]. Kagabi kasi, napanaginipan kong kumakain ako dun. Haha.

    So I was terribly hungry, for I didn't eat lunch. It's not that I'm in a diet or something. But somehow, I chose not to eat since I have been moved away by comments of people that I'm getting slimmer. Haha. Pero etong mom ko kontra naman. She begged to disagree, aba! Dahil lang daw sa suot kung bakit ako mukhang payat. Hmp, Maraming kakaibang pananaw talaga ang nanay ko.

    Darn I realized that I have eaten a lot. But I was satisfied of what I consumed naman eh. Especially the fettuccini, ughh so yummy. So my mom paid the bill, it reached around a thousand peso for us three. As usual, she got a bit shocked for the price, though we often eat at Don Hen and she knew that it was quite expensive there.  My mom is the thrifty type kasi. Daig pa ang Ilokano sa pagka-matipid. Hehe. While walking to the car, she was then saying that she's regretting for eating such pricey meal. Hay naku, naiinis ako pag gumaganun yung mom ko! For me, at least the money was spent for a basic need which is food. So why regret, anyway it was scrumptious. I replied to my mom's murmur, "Aanhin mo ang pera kung di mo gagastusin para maging masaya ka.." In a way, she still disagreed with me. Bakit daw kaninang tanghalian eh 68php lang ang nagastos niya at ng driver namin. Kanin, tilapia at may sabaw pa daw. Natawa na lang ako sa kanya at sinabi kong, "Mommy, duh! Ga-agwat naman yung level ng tilapia sa fettuccini noh!" Hahaha. Barado. =p

    At para ma-burn yung calories, naisipan naming dumaan sa PBB house! Wahaha. Total rin lang eh eviction night ngayon. Nung una, ayaw pa talaga pumayag ng mom ko. Kesyo sayang sa gasolina, baka daw maligaw kami at sa mas malalang pananaw, baka mag-stampede daw. Nyak! =p Pero dahil makulit akong bata at sinabi kong baka makita ko si Gretchen Malalad [na super idol ko ngayon hehe], eh natuloy naman kami. Makiki-usyoso. Journ eh. Haha.

    So it was my first time to actually see the house. It's quite small and if not because of the camera lights around, the house seem unnoticeable. There were a few people outside the house already, pero mukhang mga taga-doon lang sila kasi mga naka-shorts lang. Nung papalapit na kami sa bahay, eh parang ang babait nung mga gwardiya -- mga nakapang-alis kasi kami.  Look at the discrimination. Deceiving traits as it may seem. May mga tao nga namang sinusukat ang pag-aasikaso sa hitsura at kausotan. Gusto ko pa sanang lumapit pa lalo sa bahay para magpa-pic, kaso hay naku, ang KJ talaga ng mom ko. Huwag na daw. Nahihiya sila ng kuya ko. Later on, we saw PBB director, Laurenti Dyogi who's one of my crushes!!! Waah. He's cute. Gusto ko sanang magpa-pic with him [haha], or makipag-kamay man lang just to say that he's darn great, pero ayaw naman akong samahan ng mom ko! Then again, she said that it's nakakahiya. Sus, ano ba namang nakakahiya dun. I remained silent after then, as we just stood and observed. Boringgg..

    Nawalan na ko ng gana, nauna na kong magyaya pauwi. Pero kung sa bagay, naiitindihan ko yung mommy ko -- magkaiba kasi kami ng ugali. She's the shy type, and I'm the aggressive one. She's the spendthrift type and I'm the impulsive one. We have opposite traits in deed. But I guess that's what keeps the purpose between us mother and daughter -- to balance each other's personalities. Minsan kapag sobrang barat na niya, ako ang nagpapaalalang, maglabas-labas naman siya ng pera. I teach her to unwind for some time. Minsan naman kapag ako yung sobrang gastador, pinagsasabihan din niya kong magtipid. Mahirap na daw ang buhay. So we learn from each other. I see things from her which I barely notice within myself. Even if sometimes I get mad for her contradicting traits, I'm still thankful. At least there's someone who can control my persona especially when I become rash.

Kung anong ugat, ay siya ring bunga. Magkaiba man ng hitsura, nagmula pa rin sa iisang puno't mga sanga.

leave a comment

March 10 2006 | Friday | 07:56pm

"THE GOOD OLD DAYS"

    When your present gets crowded, try to get into the past. It's not about pushing yourself "in", rather it's a way to transpire yourself "out". Going back to ones former school feels good. You come upon realizations, learning and most of all, it makes oneself feel the warmth from familiar faces that you had dealt with. Somehow you would hear such calling, "Welcome to your good old days.."

    Maybe God had really planned this whole thing. At the middle of a chaotic present, I was then invited to be with my past. Ayna [my best friend], out of nowhere, requested me to accompany her in STC. It's been months since I last visited my school. Also, I took the opportunity to be with Ayna because though we're both in the same university, we hardly bond together. It was a perfect time in deed.

    We went to STC around 2pm. The rain fell hard as we went there. We even joked each other saying, "they knew we're coming". Haha. So anyways, we passed by Gate 1 and went to the High School Department. Ayna was to meet with Ms. Macaraeg and Sir Talens to ask aid for her ECE subject. As I took the familiar steps and see the good old green walls, it honestly gave me slight goose bumps. I was back again. How time flew and suddenly, I felt like missing my high school days.

    As we walked, the more I got into shocks. There have been several changes in the building. The wooded block in the sewing room was then removed and thus, gave more free space to walk in. It had extension rooms actually, which as said by Ms Mel, situated for Coordinator's offices and a CAI room. Likewise a computer room was added [the former CAI room in 3rd floor] and the cooking room was expanded. While Ayna was discussing with Sir Talens, I was with Ms. Mel who shared with me lots of innovations and changes within Computer Area. Of course, it suited my interest. By the way, Ms. Mel Magaway is my former Computer teacher / mentor who have been so close to me since I was in 3rd year. She invited me to go upstairs to the computer room. She was to show me something.

    I didn't know that there would be students in the room. Medyo nahiya tuloy ako hehe. but later, Ms Mel told me that those were Advanced Computer students taking an overtime to build the STC official website. It then gave me another stun, because during my time, students were not given the chance to handle the website. I was a member of Advanced Computer and CyberWhiz [in 2 years] wherein I even became a president. We had suggested such proposals but it never came into implementation. Ngayon lang nagbunga ang matagal na naming gusto. Yun nga lang, hindi naman sa amin napatupad. Hehe. But of course, I still feel proud because it was from our plan which came true in 2 years. Sabi nga nila, it's better late than never and at least, I've seen the fruits of past labor.

    Ms. Mel knew that I'm so advanced with computers and somehow, she made me feel that way a while ago. Na-touch naman ako siyempre, tingalain ka ba naman ng dati mong guro. Sinong mag-aakalang aabot ako sa ganung level. Anyways, she was then proud to update me with the new curriculum. She happily showed the by-products, one of which were the web pages which the members had made so far. Maaga pa lang sinabi na ni Ms Mel na huwag ko daw iki-critic, simple LANG nga daw kasi. Nyak! Pero okay naman eh, especially the fact that it was done by high school students who teamed up to build it. =)

    Besides being with Ms. Mel, Sir Talens and Ms. Macaraeg, I had the chance to bump into some former teachers as well and talked with them for a while. It was flattering, because I graduated STC last 2004 pa but they still remember me. First name basis pa ah. Natuwa pa ko lalo kasi nung makita nila ko, karamihan sa kanila sinabing pumayat ako! [wow!] Bukod pa diyan eh tinatanong nila kung may boyfriend na ba ko't blooming kasi ako. [WAHAHA. If they only knew =p] So anyways, I felt happy when I saw Ms. Tsaby. By the way, she was my adviser in 4th year who's a mentor for keeps. Between us I could always remember the book, "Tuesday's with Morrie" because somehow she's a 'Morrie' who have really marked a place for a Mitch' heart like me. She didn't know that I will come. So as she went out from the faculty room, I called her while she smiled and approached to hug her. Kinamusta ko siya at sabi niya, sobrang busy daw. Nasa itsura nga niya eh, haggard talaga. Pumasok na agad siya ng room gayong di pa kami nag-uusap nang matagal. Sayang nga eh. Maski nung magyaya akong mag-kape2, tumanggi siya. Haha ewan ko ba dun, ayaw na nga yata akong makita talaga. Joke. Wala pa ring pinagbago si Ms Tsaby, busy mode pa rin parati, Haha. Pero sa nakita kong pag-ngiti niyang nun, naramdaman ko talagang I was truly welcomed by one of my memorable teachers ever. I felt good.

    And before we go home, Mrs. Valencia [3rd year History teacher ko] beamed a greeting with us. Natawa ko dun sa sinabi niya. She was then saying, "Ay di na siya nagagawi dito pero nung isang beses nag-STC din siya eh." At first it sounded strange but soon I realized that she was pertaining to my crush way way back in high school! Wahaha talaga, naalala pa niya si Esguerra-Sto Domingo. =p Ang tagal ng binaon ng panahon ang isyung yun, nakakatawa lang dahil nabuhay bigla at ngayon, ginagawang running joke sa akin! Nakaka-windang na pagtatapos. Now I'm starting to realize and ask myself comically, "Naging crush ko ba talaga yun?" HAHAHA. At siguro, marami pa kong mga itatanong sa sarili ko tungkol sa kabaliwan ko nung haykul. Grabe. =p

    We took a tricycle to get to McDonald's Retiro, just the way we used to in high school. Tambayan kasi namin yun noon. So we ate our merienda as we recall and laugh more at our petty craziness in the good old days! Haha. I went home with a glimpse of smile and really, it was such fleeting a moment to go back in STC. All a while I've forgotten that there's a 'not-so-far' past which can redeem me from the 'not-so-distant' present.

( ^ - ^ )

Matutong lumingon sa pinanggalingan nang makarating sa paroroonan. 

leave a comment

March 09 2006 | Thursday | 10:19pm

"FACADE"

    It's hard to hide from a confined feeling. Perhaps if tears are really meant to flow, it would stream naturally on ones cheeks. Neither a mask nor an aesthetic can hide what truth bears. This time, I shall be real with what's inside me. Bear with me.

    PUTANG INA TALAGA. I was darn frustrated with my Speech Dialogue a while ago. I prepared, I gave time for it, yet in the end I didn't do my best. I feel like I'm one stupid person right now who had instantly loosen her self-esteem. I came to think of it, the whole speech was just a 6-minute presentation. I ran out of reasons how come there was room for screwing up! Perhaps I was over-confident, or perhaps I was just in a rush to finish this whole thing and that I didn't take it seriously. It was shameful because I didn't only missed a line, I missed so MANY lines. That moment of silence, uttering nothing but air, would haunt me forever I guess. Naka-91 ako, oo, pero alam ko't magpapakatooo akong hindi ko deserved yun. Anong pake ko sa line of 9, wala naman akong napatunayan sa sarili ko, sa ka-partner ko, sa mga nanood sa akin. I could have done a way way better.

    I feel so sorry for my partner, Madie. Perhaps if I just took a monologue, the burden won't go graver. It's a guilt that cannot be returned since  it's over. Nangdamay pa ko sa ka-lechehan. Hay. Sinolo ko na lang sana. Eh di sana hindi lang siya 90 ngayon. ='( Sorry talaga.

    Sayang yung curler, ang ganda pa naman ng pagka-kulot ko kanina. Sayang yung make-up, mukha pa naman akong tao kanina. Sayang yung costume, mukha pa naman akong pormal. Sayang yung panahon. yung effort, yung pagkakataon. Sayang. Kung gumawa lang sana ako ng matino kanina. I'm really running out of bad words to poke unto myself. It's all my fault. Hay.

    Sa kabila ng lahat, nagpapasalamat pa rin ako sa mga umakay sa akin kanina. Sa balikat ni Madie, sa yakap ni Arene. Sa boses nina Dez, Djhay at Mau na kahit di ko na sila makita kanina, alam kong di nila ko iniwan. Sa totoo lang, ayokong umiyak sa harap ng tao kasi, lalo ko lang sinasampal ang sarili ko sa kahihiyan. Mabigat lang talaga ang loob ko. Matagal na kong nagtatago ng emosyon. Kung madalas man tawa ako nang tawa, pagtalikod ko, naiiyak na lang ako. Nakakapuno yung sitwasyon pero buti na nga lang ding nangyari yun, para malabas ko lahat ng galit, inis at lungkot ko. Mahirap magtago sa isang maskara.

    Sabi na eh, nung kailan lang sobrang saya ko tapos hayan at sunud-sunod na yung pagkalungkot. Di pa diyan natapos ang kwentong masaklap, isisingit ko na rin 'to. Naiinis ako kay Ate Rox. Ewan ko, iniisip kong dala lang ng lungkot ko kung bakit ganun ako sa kanya ngayon. Mabigat sa akin kasi siya na nga lang yung napapagsabihan ko ng problema nang madalas, nagkatampuhan pa. Bigla na lang kasi siyang nagbago. Lalo na kanina, maski text messages lang yun. Sinabi ko sa kanya yung totoo, na parang nag-iiba siya. Nag-sori naman siya at nagsabi ng rason. May punto yung rason niya pero ewan ko, siguro nasanay lang akong lagi siyang nandiyan. Nakalimutan kong may iba pang mga bagay, tao, at pangyayari sa paligid niya. All a while I thought again that she's my real-time sister but she isn't. I chose not to reply with her text message. And I don't know if what I did was just right.

    Babawi ako sa lahat ng mga nangyayaring 'to. Siguro nga, sinusubok lang ang kakayahan kong maniwala. Paraan lang siguro 'to para gisingin ako sa katotohanan. Tao din ako, nagkakamali, may pagkadapa. At sa bawat pagkahulog, may pag-ahon. Hindi rin naman akong papayag na gusot ang linyang tinatahak ko. Hindi ako papayag na magpatalo. May rason ang lahat at may sagot ang lahat ng tanong.

Look at me, you may think you see who I really am, but you'll never know me. Everyday, it's as if I play a part. Now I see, if I wear a mask, I can fool the world. But I cannot fool my heart... 

leave a comment

March 08 2006 | Wednesday | 08:29pm

"LETHARGIC"

    It has been a lethargic Wednesday. Perhaps I'm just counting days left for school. Who cares in outdoing academically, it's not my concern anymore. Come on, it's summer time! All I want is to set myself free from work already. Grrr.

    I slothfully wake up. I missed History class. Haha, huling pag-absent na ito promise. =p So I headed Dapitan past 8:00am na. Aattend pa sana ko ng Stat kaso parang nakakahiyang pumasok ng late. And anyway all the lessons in Stat are over, so I chose not to come in. Nag-internet na lang muna ko sa Nitro. Later on, I went to UST to attend the last two subjects -- Journ and Rizal Course.

    After class, I was with Madie the whole time. We practiced for our Speech dialogue which we'll perform tomorrow! So we repeatedly delivered lines in my room. Our piece is "No Exit" and my role is Estelle who happened to be linked to a lesbian, named Inez (si Madie hehe). Nakakatawang umarte, kakaiba kasi yung esksena. Haha. On the other hand, I feel a bit irritated to myself because my performance was still quite dreadful. I often forget my lines! When I start to utter wrong word/s, the whole sentence gets destructed. Waah, sana matapos na itong pakaba mode. Ayoko na ng isipin. Wish us luck for that 6-minute hell moment. Haha.

    Pagkauwi ni Madie natulog ako. 5pm na ko nagising. Lethargic feeling still. I read a chapter in History and soon I've just decided to take a break to chat in YM. Tinatamad na talaga ko!!! Ilang beses ko bang uulitin yun. Hay. I really feel school pessimisms.

Everybody needs a break. 

leave a comment

March 07 2006 | Tuesday | 07:22pm

"SLASH (/)"

    Have you ever felt such irritability for a day which you actually don't know why is that so? Naiinis at naiirita ka na lang nang walang karason-rason. Kung mayroon man, hindi mo ma-explain kung ano at  bakit. Ang hirap ng ganun. Minsan, di kasi maiiwasang makasagasa ng mga taong hindi naman kasali sa inis mo.

    Ganyan ako kanina pang umaga. Pagpasok ko sa USTe, wala pang tao sa room. So I tried to memorize my lines for the Speech dialogue. Nahiya naman kasi ako sa partner kong si Madie, nag-memeorize na siya. Later, people came in and I just got pissed off with the noise that they made. I was obviously distracted. But of course, who am I to complain, it wasn't only my room. So I just settled by keeping all the tempers inside. I TRIED to be patient.

    My friends had slowly noticed my difference. I was not the usual joker and I was rather grouchy. Everyone seemed to be jolly so as with me, my place was rather fearsome. It was as if simple occurrences that would pass by shall be a big thing for me. Kaya para di na lang ako makasakit ng damdamin sa talas ng dila ko kanina, di na lang ako umiimik.

    We had the fire drill. What a stupidity. Still, I kept my rage moderate, I just borrowed Mau's iPod to calm down, at para di ko na lang marinig yung nasa paligid ko. Nagbabasa din kasi ako ng PE, final exams na namin.

    Ang bigat talaga sa pakiramdam. Tinanong ako isang beses ni Madie, kung bakit nga daw ako moody. Nag-isip ako. Matagal. Sa totoo lang, mababaw yung mga rason, ako lang ang nagpapalaki. Umisip pa ko ng mas malalim na rason. Sabi ko kay Madie, siguro dumating lang sa puntong bumabalik ang lungkot sa buhay ko kasi nung mga nakalipas na araw eh sobrang saya ko. Binabalanse lang siguro yung mga pangyayari. Lie-low ngayon. Pagkatapos ng mga ngiti, may pagtangis. Pagkatapos ng kasiyahan, parang naubusan ka na lang ng ikasasaya. Minsan ang hirap-hirap ng ganun. Para kang sinasalpak sa semento mula sa mataas na pagkakalipad.

    Medyo nabago na lang ang mood ko nung mag-lokohan kami ni Djhay. Pagalingan sa Ingles, ang maunang mag-Tagalog ang talo. It was funny because we were spoofing like call center agents. Jino-joke ko din sa mga kaklase ko yung napulot ko sa Live Aids haha. Yung kay Giselle Sanchez -- yung ma'am (slash) sir, sir (slash) ma'am. Dagdag pa sa pag-ganda ng mood ko ay yung PE grade ko. 45/50 ako sa written exam at ang final grade ko? Pagbigyan niyo ko ngayon sa pagkaka-bangko ko, pero naka-1.0 ako! >.< Wuhoo.

    Kung tutuusin, dalawa lang ang anggulo ng mood ng tao -- masaya at malungkot. Either, or. Pana-panahon. Kanya-kanya ng sitwasyon. Sa bawat pagsasaya, may pagluha. Sa bawat pag-iyak, may pagtawa. Bilog ang mundo. May pagbaligtad at walang permanente sa mga emosyon.

Magbiro ka na sa praning, wag lang sa badtrip. 

leave a comment

March 05 2006 | Sunday | 10:00pm

"THE 26-HOUR GETAWAY"

    What can you simply do within 26 hours? Eat? Sleep? Here's how I spent a 26 hour of my life. It's simple, I spent it with true friends. Here's my story.

Saturday

* Meeting My Pals *

    We agreed with Ate Flo's long-time idea to watch Live Aids, a UPian play which was held at SM North Edsa. So I went there around 5:30pm but before seeing my friends who were at Burger King, I decided to buy band aids since my feet were wounded. I passed by Watson's and upon waiting to get my purchase, I was just thinking whether this would be a bliss day. I was simply uncertain of what was ahead of me.

    At BK, Ana, AteFlo, Diah, Carol and Kim were already there. Ako pa pala ang nahuli, haha. Kumain muna ko kasi di pa ko nag-lulunch. We chit chat first while waiting for the 7pm play. What others didn't know, there was another ka-tropa who's coming -- Ate Rox. Haha. Naisipan lang namin ni Ate Flo [na ka-kutsaba din si Diah haha], na lokohin silang hindi makakasama si Ate Rox. May pa-acting2 at palusot pa kaming nalalaman. So funny.

    A little later, Ate Flo and I excused ourselves that we were to go to the CR but actually, we were to call Ate Rox where she was already. We used Diah's phone unit but it belongs to Angel's line. Kaya naman pala ang tagal niyang sagutin kasi iba yung number. Haha. Sabi niya nasa MRT na daw siya. We went back with the group and waited a bit more.

    Bandang 7pm lumabas na kami, after 10 yrs kasing dumating 'tong ni Ate Rox! [pero lately ko lang na-realize, mahaba nga pala ang lakaran sa MRT station! Haha!] Pero saktong paglabas namin, eh nakita na namin ni Ate Flo na naglalakad siya. Lumapit ako kay Ate Rox tapos bumalik si Ate Flo sa grupo para ituro ang "hinihintay niyang kaibigan". Wahaha talaga! Napasigaw pa sina Kim sa gulat. Tawa talaga ko nang tawa. Mission accomplished kami ni Ate Flo sa kalokohan =p

* Watching 2+2: Asawa ni Malou *

    Mimay, Ate Flo's UPian friend reserved tickets for us already and so it didn't take time for us to enter the cinema hall. We sat on the 3rd row, and Ate Rox was my seatmate. At first she was seated at the middle yet chose to be seated on the side instead. Nagtataka nga kami eh. Pero siguro nga, ayaw niyang isiping may special treatment sa kanya. Lalo kong napapatunayang di siya mahirap abutin maski sikat at kilala siya ng lahat. Hay, what a sister. >.<

    Since Ate Rox was beside me, we had the most frequent talks. While waiting for the play to start, we just talked on all sorts of things. Na-touch lang ako sa isa naming napag-usapan. It was about my destiny in UST. Tinanong niya, bakit hindi daw ako nag-UP gayong pumasa naman pala ko at kung bakit napili ako ang UST. Since then kasi, Ate Rox has been teasing me that I'm so intelligent.  Napangiti na lang ako. Sinabi kong ayaw kasi ng mom ko. Baka daw mag-aktibista lang ako. Haha. But personally, I thought of studying in UP as a mere accessory only as you enter the field work. Okay, UP is the so-called "best school" with its prestige alumnae and name but I found it too squat for a choice of university. School background is not only the basis for being a successful person, it comes with the personal skill as well. Maganda din naman ang Journalism program ng UST eh, and I'm thankful that I really had the right choice to be a Thomasian. Na-joke ko pa si Ate Rox saying, "eh di kung hindi ako taga-USTe baka di tayo magkakilala ngayon diba!" Haha. Na-touch pa ko lalo nang tanungin niya ulit kung anong year ko na. Sinabi kong 2nd year. Di pa din daw siya maniwala, kasi ang dami ko na daw kayang gawin. >.< It was such a moment that I got boosted with all the will to pursue more because the fact that someone like Ate Rox admires my skill, ughh that's really something.

    Few more minutes, the play started. As we watched, Ate Rox, Ana and I were munching popcorns. Yummy. I really enjoyed the play, it was in deed funny! There were so many impersonations such that of Keanna [na umihi sa halamanan!], Sarah Geronimo [na mahilig mag-"po"], and even SEA Games athletes [at saktong may kasama kaming atleta!] I can't forget Tita Glow's skit of Jewel in the Palace along with Jaja as they approached the audiences and gave out popcorns. Paano ba naman kasi, sinaboy niya yung popcorn tapos ginawang manok yung mga tao!!! Haha talaga. Nag-perform si Giselle Sanchez who was a UPian too. The play lasted for 2 hours. We all had fun especially Ate Rox who was laughing at everything! She even whispered to me after the play, "Tapos na pala? Bakit sabi ni Flo pangit yung play, maganda kaya!" =)

* Wait, there's more! *

    Hinintay namin si Ate Flo habang nagpapaalam siya kami kina Mimay. Nag-picturan kami! And yeah, bumenta na naman ang trademark pose ko! Wahaha.

    Nagyaya akong mag-kape [as usual!]. Nung una, dapat sa Banawe kami mag-Starbucks para malapit na lang sa bahay pero naisip naming mapapalayo lang si Ate Rox kaya sa Taft kami pumunta. Nag-FX kami at sa likod ako umupo. Katapat ko si Ate Rox. At okrayan time na naman haha. Binubuhat niya kasi yung left leg ko, sabi ba naman "Shelly ang bigat! Grabe, ang laki talaga ng tinaba mo!" Binuhat ko din yung right leg niya tapos sabi ko, "Mabigat din kaya yung sa 'yo! Ang haba kasi!" And from then on, we were just both fooling around with each one's knees.  Wahaha. Adek. Anyways, so yun kuwentuhan na naman ulit. Na-kuwento ni Ate Rox na nung tumawag siya sa phone unit ni Diah at hinahanap ako, sinabihan pala siya ng wrong number. Nagtaka kaming lahat kung sino yun. Nagka-lokohan pang may multo haha. Tapos na-realize na lang ni Diah na naka-divert pala yung linya! Na-divert sa unit ni Angel yung tawag at siguro siya yung nakasagot. Haha. Na-kuwento ko din pala sa kanila na nagmamakaawa akong bilhin na nila yung PC na ginagamit ni Yel [my sis] noon for 20K. Pambili ko sana ng cellphone at digital camera. Binebenta na rin pala yung kotse niya [yung purple]. Haha, sabi tuloy ni Diah, umalis lang yung ate ko, binenta ko na lahat. =P Sabi ko nga sa kanila, dun kami sa kwarto ng ate ko matutulog kaya wala ng angal. Haha, at nagtawanan ang lahat. Asensado, hindi na sa sala ang overnight ng tropa. Sayang nga't hindi nakapag-overnight sa amin si Ate Rox. Hehe, mas masaya pa siguro yun.

* Sa Starbucks *

    As we entered, I overheard two guys, "Pare, si Roxanne Pimentel yun diba.." Haha iba na talaga ang sikat, grabe. So yun, nag-order na kami.

    While eating my cheese croissant and sipping on my mocca frappe, I was just listening to Diah and Ate Rox' conversation about the RP team. I just sensed out that there was something wrong between players and coaches. And maybe, that was the reason why Indoor Volleyball got bronze only last SEA Games for there were conflicts. Parang nung unang laban ni Pacquiao kay Morales, na-istorbo yung laro niya kasi may pino-problema siya sa promoter niya. Parang ganun din pala kina Ate Rox. Maraming bumabatikos sa kakayahan nila pero nung mga oras na yun, nalaman ko na kung bakit. Aminado naman silang may fault din sila pero hindi lang naman sila ang may mali. Magulo pala talaga ngayon ang balibol. Mahirap sabihin ang lahat pero ayon nga sa "wisdom" words ni Ate Rox, "Pana-panahon lang yan. Darating yung panahong sila naman at mapapatanong ng 'bakit'. Parang kapag may nanliligaw sa 'yo, minsan feeling mo ang dami mong suitors, minsan wala.. Parang kapag nag-aaral ka, minsan feeling mo ang tali-talino mo, minsan ang bobo mo.. Mahirap nga siguro kapag matagal ka na, kasi marami ka ng alam. Nung una, wala kaming alam pero dumating yung panahong napapansin na namin. Yun siguro ang ikina-iinis nila, kasi marami na kaming alam at reklamador kami. Pero totoo naman eh.. " (Pimentel, 2006).  Grabe, sa isip2 ko, Buddha is that you?! Wahaha joke =p Nun ko lang narinig magsalita nang ganun si Ate Rox. She has powerful words in deed. But seriously, given that thought, somehow I was given a preview of what's really going on in sports. Since then, it's in my plans to be a sports journ. Bawat larangan nga siguro may kontrabida, may isyu, may mga bagay na mahirap solusyonan dahil sa paglaki nito.

    On the lighter side, we talked about our personal fears naman. Kuwentong ahas, ipis, mga pang-Fear Factor ba. Haha. Nakakatuwa din yung kuwento ni Ate Rox tungkol sa alaga niyang isda nung Elementary pa siya. Pagka-galing daw niya kasi ng school, bumibili siya ng isdang naka-plastic tapos ilalagay sa aquarium niya. Di siya nakuntento, nilipat pa yung aquarium sa kwarto niya para bago matulog, eh nakatangla lang siya sa mga isda. Wahaha. I can't hardly imagine her as a tall kid who was fond of tiny pets such that of fishes. Eto mas malala, nung mag-brown out daw, eh natakot siyang baka mamatay yung mga isda niya! Haha, kaya kinuha niya yung tubo, at saka naghipan mabuhay lang yung mga isda niya! Wahaha talaga. May re-enactment pang kasama!

    Napasarap ang tawanan, hindi namin namalayang past 11:30pm na. So we waited for a taxi. Sinabay na namin si Ate Rox para ihatid sa San Andres. So yun, nakadaan pa tuloy kami sa bahay nilang kamukha daw niya -- payat na matangkad. Wahehe! Nakaka-touch kasi nilibre pa kami sa pamasahe sa taxi >.< Siya na nga nanlibre sa FX, pati pa yun.

    So we headed home. Isang masayang overnight na naman haha.

* Overnight at My Place *

    Pagod na talaga kami, pero todo kulitan pa rin. Dun kami sa kwarto ng ate ko nag-stay, inakyat namin yung cushions para pwedeng mahiga din sa sahig. Nag-picturan na naman kami, at parang shunga yung mga poses namin haha.

    Later, we started to have a heart-to-heart session [nukx]. I was chatting with Ate Flo at that time. I was then sharing  everything which Ate Rox and I talked about while in the play. So Ate Flo was happy, because she initially thought that we won't enjoy the play. She's often pessimistic kasi eh, so somehow I advised her to think positive always. Grabe ha, nabaligtad na ang mundo -- ako na yung optimistic! Haha. =p

    Nakatulog na si Diah. Nag-plano sila Ate Flo, Ana at Kim para sa outing. Di ako masyadong naka-cope kasi busy ako sa pag-pplay ng past videos ng tropa. Hehe. And how I loved it. Bandang 4am, waah sumasakit na ulo namin. Wala pa kaming tulog! Kaya nag-lights off na kami, at natulog sandali.

**********

Sunday

* On My Way To USTe *

    My call time was 7:30am, may CWTS Evaluation Day pa kasi akong dapat puntahan sa UST. Kailangan kasi naming i-present yung portfolio at video presentation. Anyways, salamat sa ambulansyang wake up call ng cellphone ni Kim [haha], eh nagising naman kami. Si Diah pala ang huling nagising, kung sino pang pinaka-maagang natulog haha.

    Anyways, dun ko na sila pinag-breakfast. Nagpa-hain ako sa katulong namin. So after eating, akala ko eh uwian na. Aba, biglang nagkayayaang mag-lagalag ulit! Wahaha. Hihintayin daw nila kong makatapos ng gawain sa USTe. Hanga talaga ko sa tropang ayaw pa rin maghiwa-hiwalay =p

    Nag-jeep kami papuntang USTe. Hinatid muna nila ko tapos sumakay ulit sila papuntang Letran dorm. Dun muna sila tumambay.

    Babangag-bangag akong nakipag-meet kina Madie papuntang AB Pav. At anak ng tipaklong, past 10am na eh A1 pa lang ang nag-ppresent! While waiting for our turn to present, I was just seated and trying to grab some sleep. When the floor was given to us, I was the first speaker to answer the question, "What positive or negative changes did CWTS do to you?" Honestly, I was really out of my mind of what I was saying. Madie and the rest were laughing at me. In fact, I was looking for our portfolio whereas it was only located beside me! Ngaraaaag. Haha.

    1:00pm na kami natapos. Hiyang-hiya talaga ko sa tropa kasi sabi ko, 11am ang tapos! Kasabay ko si Madie [my classmate] papuntang LRT 2, nandun din sila. Pinakilala ko pala si Madie sa tropa at magkakasama kami hanggang Santolan. Humiwalay na lang si Madie pagbaba ng LRT 2. Nag-FX at tricycle kami papunta kina Ana.

* Ana's Crib *

    As we reached Ana's house, we were welcomed by her parents. They were kind and accommodative. Pati pala yung mga pusa ni Ana malalambing. Haha. We ate lunch at their house and yeah, their red tea caught my taste. Haha. [Ana, dalhan mo ko  minsan nun! Haha. =p]

    After eating, we had the movie marathon! They first watched "The Maid" but since I've already seen it, I decided to isolate myself first to review in Statistics. Dinala ko yung libro, notebook at calculator ko. Somehow I've thought of studies despite my getaway. Dun ako sa kainan nina Ana nag-aral at harinawa sa madaliang pag-rereview na yun, makapasa ako! Emen!

    The next movie was "Brokeback Mountain". Since then, I've been hearing controversies about this film. It involved men-to-men relationship kasi eh. Kaya ganun na lang din akong ka-eager makapanood. So yun, seat back and relax kaming lahat habang kumakain ng fish crackers. Sa pag-aakalang maganda yung pelikula, hay kinaantukan ko lang! Bukod sa masyadong mahaba yung film, eh di ko pa minsan maintindihan yung salita! Mga cowboys kasi. Haha. Nag-internet na lang ako sa PC ni Ana.

* Time To Go Home *

    After watching, we decided to go home already. So we bid goodbye to Ana's parents as Diah, Ate Flo and I took the tricycle. Ibang ruta si Kim kaya hinatid na lang siya ni Ana sa sakayan.

    Nag-jeep kami papuntang Santolan at saka nag-LRT 2. While seated, the three of us were just calmly talking of what we have done all through. We were so tired, yet we even managed to make fun of our craziness as a tropa. Isipin mo ba naman, halos 26 hours kaming magkakasama. Straight. Kulang na lang eh magkasawaan sa magmumukha ng isa't isa. Pero sa totoo lang, ang dami kong na-realize -- na sa loob ng 26 oras, maraming pwedeng mangyari, magawa, at mapag-usapan; Sa loob ng 26 oras, puwede kang matawa, magliwaliw, at maging malaya; At sa loob ng 26 hours, maaari mong sabihing nakakita ka talaga ng mga totoong kaibigang ipagpapasalamat mo't nakilala mo.

    Bumaba sa Glimore Station si Ate Flo. I was left with Diah who waited for me to get a Retiro jeepney in Recto. Ang bait nga niya eh. So yun, pag-uwi ko ng bahay, my mom opened the gate for me. And man, my storytelling to her about this whole thing isn't through yet. Haha. Perhaps, there are really many words to say on how and why I dealt a 26-hour trip with my friends. Hehe.

    What a day/s. =p Tsk. 

I don't know who I am going to be years from now, where will I be in my life, what will I have then.. but I hope one thing would be certain, that you'll still be a part of whatever I'll be..

leave a comment

March 03 2006 | Friday | 07:14pm

"THE ROAD TRIP"

    What I simply like about road trips is that no matter how tiring the travel is, it creates such bonding among friends who have enjoyed the presence of each other. Places can be forgotten, time can deteriorate, but one thing's for sure: friendship grows as memories in the jaunt supplement the relationship.

    So I was off a while ago for a Rizal Course exposure trip. I woke up as early as 4:45am and reached UST early. I took a cab since there was no Recto jeepney yet. Upon reaching, the campus was still dark. A couple of people jogging around had caught my attention. I felt like it's fun to jog in campus. Ewan ko, nainggit na naman ako, kaya gusto kong mag-jogging din doon sa bakasyon. =) Haha.

    So anyways, the meeting place was in front of UST Church. Imee was there first. While waiting for others, we just roamed around. Hay naku, sinabi na kasing 6am ang call time tapos puro late pa rin yung iba. Minsan parang unfair sa mga maagang dumadating. Tsk.

    A little later, the rest had arrived. The sun had risen up as we went in to the purple bus. Arene was my seatmate and the rest of PonkanBabes were on a nearby seats. Matagal pa din bago kami umalis, kaya nag-kape muna ko kasama si Djhay at nag-CR kasama sina Madie. Mga 8am na kami nakaalis, sa wakas.

On Our Way to Rizal Shrine [Calamba, Laguna]

    As usual, we had a tour guide who gave some lectures in the bus. Well actually he didn't lecture much, he was more into sharing on his so-called "achievements-which-we-didn't-know-if-they-were-true" Parang nagparamdam tuloy si Sir Agui sa katauhan niya. Hehe =p Anyways, on our way, we passed by a vehicular accident which was so fearsome! In fact the bus broke hard that it scared us a bit. Grabe talaga, may isang taong tumilapon mula sa jeep, tapos yung ibang pasahero ay duguan. Di namin alam kung ano ang dahilan ng aksidente pero nakakaawa talaga. Somehow it was an extra experience that had lead me to ponder on the road -- that life is unpredictable.

    There was a TV on the bus and my classmates were really funny. Why? Initially they thought of watching "Barbie Presents: The Princess and The Pauper". Adek! Later on, it was then changed to another film. Yung mas matino at mas interesting panoorin haha. Pero hindi din ako nanood, nahihilo kasi ako pag ganun. I was busy instead with the camera! Haha. And yes, picture taking was the name of the trip. Everyone had gone crazy taking group photos!

    We reached the shrine and we fell in line. It was the replica of Rizal's house and inside were relics of his belongings. So ngayon nagsisilbi na lang yung museo para sa mga tao. Okay naman, nakita ko yung mga gamit ni Rizal. Nakakatuwa nga eh, kasi kakaiba. I was then joking my friends when I told them that how I wish I lived long before. Curiosity just fell upon my head thinking what if I was born during 1800's. Yung tipong naka-baro't saya, nakatira sa bahay na bato, may malaking abaniko sa kainan, tapayan ang kuhanan ng tubig, at may simpleng pamumuhay. Ewan ko, kanina parang nabigyang-kahalagahan ko ang mga yun. Di na kasi makikita ang mga bagay na yan sa ngayon. Nagmistulang antigo na lang sila. Come to think of it, these stuffs showed how life was so solemn and simple before. Today, modernity is much complicated. Minsan gusto ko ding kumala sa magulong mundo, yung mas simple ba kahit manu-mano.

On Our Way to Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi

    The next stop was in a community comprised of Rizal believers. Beforehand, we were given guidelines as we immerse with the people. Well these people whom we were about to interview were not cults. Some of them are Rizalists who treat Jose P. Rizal as a god. It may sound uncanny but there are really locations in the Philippines who looks beyond of Rizal as a national hero.

    We assembled in their hall. Grabe ha, nakakapagod akyatin yung lugar kasi matarik! Gilid na kasi ng bundok. So when we entered, I found it weird that men and women were seated separately pala. We don't know why, we just followed. Anyways, so later on the speaker started his lecture. Actually I barely understood him and it bored me. Ewan namin kung yung audio visual ba yung sira o malabo lang talaga siya magsalita. Hehe. Dahil sa ka-boringan, nagtanong na lang ako nung Q&A portion na. Pinilit na rin ako ng mga kaklase ko, may mag-represent lang na babaeng tagatanong mula sa Journ. Tsk. Kaso nakakatawa, di ko naman naintindihan yung sagot niya! Emen.

    After the lecture, we were divided into three groups to interview people. So yun, nagbahay-bahay kami. Di na ko masyadong naka-cope up kasi mas busy na naman akong kaka-picture. Haha adek. But what I understood from those people is that, they venerate Rizal because it was their will. No one had enforced them to be a member of Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi. They say that Rizal, as their ultimate mentor, guides their way. Oh well, I cannot contest for their beliefs. But with what I'm learning in Rizal Course, somehow I have become a pro-Bonifacio [as the national hero] pa nga eh. Rizal was so lavish in lifestyle and that he even refused Philippine revolution. He toured the world for the sake of being an ilustrado. He can never with the indios, for he was a middle class. Pero siguro nga, kanya-kanya lang ng paniniwala depende sa nakagisnang kultura.

    As went into the bus, we took our lunch already. Dumaan kami sa Collette's at bumili ako ng buko pie bilang pasalubong! Nag-stop over din kami sa Expressway para makakain yung ibang walang baon. So yun, habang nakaparada eh uminit bigla sa bus. Nasira kasi yung aircon. Haha. Kaya naisipan naming kumain ng malamig. Nag-pearl coolers kami ni Dez sa Greenwich.

On Our Way to Fort Santiago, Intramuros

    Though I've been into this place for decades, it still interested me. Well, maybe because I was with different people this time. I was with my college pals. =)

    So we entered the museum, visited the dungeons and had TONS of picture takings! Kakatawa talaga, kasi nagtatakbuhan pa ang lahat makasingit lang sa letrato =p

    I have nothing much to say since I didn't learn that much in this place. Hehe. Di ko na masyadong pinansin yung mga nakita ko sa museo at sa paligid kasi nga, ilang beses na ko nakapunta. Mas naaliw na lang akong maghanap ng mga kakaibang bagay, at nakapansin naman ako. Ano kamo? Aba, yung tour guide naming nagpapaka-psychic gumawa ng eksena! Haha. Nagkaka-kapa siya sa mga pader na animo'y espiritista. Ang weird. Tapos paakyat na kami nang ipatigil niya ang pag-akyat sa bus, kasi may sumusunod daw na espiritu. Tsk. I thought he only said that he was a palm reader. Ang OA, at siguro ginawa niya yun para may magpahula sa kanya't bayaran siya.  Kasi kung may "kapangyarihan" ka nga talagang makakita, hindi mo iduduldol sa mga taong may kakayahan ka. Alam mo na ngang kakaiba tapos pilit mong ipapasok mo sa mundo ng mga walang kakayahan at hindi bukas ang isipan, eh di tinakot mo lalo sila. May mga nagpa-uto naman sa klase namin, adek.

On Our Way to Lights and Sounds, Intramuros

    This was our last stop. Matagal pa kaming nakatambay sa entrance ng Light & Sounds kaya nag-picturan na naman. Haha. Anyways, so we watched a multimedia and unique show. I can say that it was unique because we walk from one place to the other as the narration goes. It was also accompanied by great sound effects and lightings. May kasama kaming girl tour guide, si Nikki [ang crush ni John, wahaha!] and yeah, she's pretty nga naman.

    Isang oras yung show. Isang oras akong nakatayo. May mga moments na nakakantok pero nagigising na lang ako sa panloloko nina Jade at Charles dahil sa pangangalabit! Ang kukulit talaga haha. At saka natuwa na lang ako dun sa huling parte ng show, yung binaril na si Rizal haha. Paano ba naman kasi, may mannequin sa harapan tapos unti-unting humihiga! Kakatawa, para kasing tanga =p

    So we rode the bus, and it was time to go home! May mga nagpababa na bago pa makarating ng USTe at ako naman, sa Laon-Laan ng bumaba. I really had a great time. It was a perfect day with my wacky blockmates. It's seldom to have exposure trips nowadays but in deed, it was all worth it. Besides the learning and experience, are the presence of my friends whom I truly endeared even more.

    I took a shower as I washed away my tiresome mood. Who cares about body aches the next day, along with it are the laughter and smiles which have been remaining in me.

Friendship isn't about who you have know the longest, who came in first, or who cares the best. It's about who came and never left.

leave a comment

March 02 2006 | Thursday | 07:00pm

"BODY ACHES"

    I can't barely move. Well maybe because of muscle pains that I've been experiencing since Tuesday. I feel like my ankle is sprained, my lower extremities throbbing, and both my biceps hurt too! Mag-ccross legs o tatayo na lang, ilang segundo pa ang ilalaan ko magawa lang yun. Ugh, I guess I was into too much activities that my body is experiencing excruciating pain right now.

    Tuesday >> P.E. day. Softball game.  Two games in a row. We won against yellow but too bad we lose against lavender team. Anyway at least it was a close fight (12-9) and yeah, I think we ranked as overall first place despite a triple tie (2-1, win-loss) with blue and lavender because we gained more points. The last innings were really tiresome! I was able to reach home bases and it really pushed my breath to the limit. Pero masaya talaga, kahit nakakapagod. I really love my team mates. =) Sayang nga lang at naging spoiler si Ma'am De Torre, nagalit sa klase namin. Yung Blue team kasi eh, pasaway. Nandamay pa ng ibang teams. =p

    Added with my PE class, was my objective to see my CWTS Facilitator to fix matters. Har! Ilang beses kaming nagpa-balik2 at ang hirap niyang hagilapin. Naiinis lang ako sa ganung sitwasyon - na kapag kailangan, saka mas mahirap hanapin. Sayang kasi yung panahong inilalaan tapos wala ka naman palang napapala. Bukod pa diyan eh patuloy ang pag-email at pag-text ko sa kanya tapos hindi man lang nagrereply! Aba. Besides the facilitator, I was also trying to contact my group mates in CWTS because we need to compile the student profiles. Medyo hassle din kasi iba-ibang courses sila at minsan, hindi magkasundo yung schedules.

    Wednesday >> Nagpabalik-balik na naman ako sa CWTS office. Pero buti naman at okay na. Kumpleto na ko sa hours. Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, natulog ako. At grabe, nakakagulat lang ang panahon kasi sobraaang init! Kakaiba talaga yung init nung araw na ito. Ang tagal ko ngang naka-aircon kasi sumasakit yung ulo ko sa init. Paggising ko, sumama ako kay Jhang na mag-jogging. Anak ng tipaklong, hapon na pero mainit pa rin! Hindi pa gumagaling yung bugbog ko sa Softball class, nadagdagan na naman tuloy ang sakit ko sa katawan. Haha.

    Kinagabihan, biglang umulan! It was so weird. But soon, I finally got the answer -- an earthquake happened. I guess it lasted for seconds and it was quite intense din ah. I was at my sister's room, reading Philosophy notes for the quiz then I just observed that the electric fan was moving. So later I found out that it was an after-shock from Hong Kong's earthquake. Buti wala namang casulaties.

    Today >> What a tiresome Philosophy quiz. Essay type. Ang hirap pa ng tanong ni sir, within the context kasi ang sagot. Buong period kaming nagsagot, umabot sa 2 yellow papers ang sagot ko haha. Masakit sa kamay. [Career mode? =p] Theology period, we had the reporting. Matagal-tagal din akong nakatayo, ang bilis mangalay ng mga binti ko. Hay. Biology class, boring reporting day. Nag-drawing na lang tuloy ako haha. Isang obrang maaari kong tawaging "My Dream Mansion". Haha. Di ko pa nakukulayan sa computer eh, watch out soon! =p

    Nag-CR pala kami nina Madie at Anne bago mag_Speech class. Since the CR in AB was closed, we went upstairs in Commerce. The CR was full, so Madie and I just stayed in front of the door. While waiting, I happened to see Lorraine [Zapata, #3 UST] who was there too. Well she's my newly found friend whom I got to know initially in Friendster and soon we became chat mates. I guess we have something in common -- that she is also into writing. That's the reason why Lorraine has been asking stuffs about my course because I think she's planning to shift in AB next year. She's in Commerce by the way. So a while ago, I recognized her and called her name. Kumaway ako sa kanya [tulad ng sinabi ko nun sa chat na kapag may kumaway sa kanya sa USTe, ako na yun]. Haha. Nakilala naman niya ko agad, nag-apir kami. Nag-usap kami sandali, at mabaet nga siya. I think we'll get along.

    So after class, I decided to meet with Gabbz [my cousin]. Nagyaya kasi siyang mag-SM San Lazaro. Natuloy din sa wakas, matagal na kasi naming iniisip na mamasyal dun. Nagkita kami sa P. Noval. So yun, gumala lang kami sa mall. Naghanap ng ikaka-sakit ng katawan. In fact I saw Mau and Anne who were, I guess, gumagala lang din sa mall. Hehe. Bumili pala ko ng Bench perfume at saka ng babaunin ko bukas. Nag-canvas din pala ko cellphone prices at waah, gusto ko na talaga ng bagong unit. Hehe. Naadik na kasi ako sa camera phones at MP3 players eh. Anyways, we went home around 3pm. Ang sakiiiit ng paa ko! Ikutin ba namin yung buong mall, pasaway si Gabbz haha. Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, natulog ako. Sa pag-aakalang mawawala na ang sakit ng katawan, hindi pa rin!!!

    Bukas yung immersion namin para sa Rizal Course. The so called, "field trip" hehe. It will yet be another dreadful and tiring day I guess. Marami kasing pupuntahan. Puro biyahe. I have to sleep and rest tonight. Musta naman, 6am ang call time! Tsktsk.

The body is the temple of the soul.

leave a comment

VIEW FEBRUARY 2006 BLOGS î

VIEW JANUARY 2006 BLOGS î

VIEW DECEMBER 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW NOVEMBER 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW OCTOBER 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW SEPTEMBER2005 BLOGS î

VIEW AUGUST 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW JULY 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW JUNE 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW MAY 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW APRIL 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW MARCH 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW FEBRUARY 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW JANUARY 2005 BLOGS î

VIEW DECEMBER 2004 BLOGS î

VIEW NOVEMBER 2004 BLOGS î

VIEW OCTOBER 2004 BLOGS î