May 30 2006 | Tuesday | 9:32pm

"`NI-HAW"

    I just went out to watch volleyball again at Rizal Coliseum. I was with Ate Flo and Jean. RP's game was against China -- the ni-hao-mas. Haha.

    We met at Seven Eleven in Taft. It also took me chance to give my pasalubong for them from Cebu. So anyways, as Ate Flo arrived, we walked to Rizal right away. Thanks to Kuya Rey (Ate Irma's friend), we were able to watch for free at the lower box. Napanood namin nang malapitan kung paano magbaon ng bola ang mga Intsik. Kawawang RP. Although they were able to dink some balls, their defense wasn't enough to the tie with the powerhouse Chinese squad. Kulang pa rin sila sa experience. Ino-okray na lang tuloy namin ni Ate Flo yung China. We have been imitating Chinese accents and we simply laugh at it. Yung parang barok ba. Haha.

    The third game was Thailand-Kazakhstan. First set lang ang pinanood namin. Umalis kami't nagkayayaang mag-Baywalk. Pumayag na rin ako kasi natipuhan kong kumain ng inihaw. Alam kong maraming ihawan sa Baywalk. Maaliwalas pa yung lugar kasi katabi ng Manila Bay. Kahit kelan talaga eh alipin ako ng dagat, ng inihaw, ng kaaliwalasan =p So yun, naglakad kami sa ma-trapik na Adriatco St. tapos sumakay ng jeep papuntang Baywalk.

    Mura na, masarap pa. Panalong BBQ yun. =) Ewan ko ba kina Jean at Ate Flo, di daw nila masyadong nagustuhan yung lasa. Haha. Siguro naghanap lang talaga yung panlasa ko ng inihaw at na-satisfy naman. After eating, we walked up to Pedro Gil. Perfect time to reminisce because that was the exact road which we took when we were with Ate Rox and the whole tropa. Despite long meters of walking, somehow I enjoyed it. Napasyalan namin ang Malate. Nakita pa namin yung coaster ng Kazakhstan at Thailand. Haha.

    We split ways with Jean at Pedro Gil. Nag-LRT 1 kami ni Ate Flo. Pagdating sa gate, ang tagal ko pa bago nakapasok. Nakapagtatakang ang aga magsi-tulog ng mga tao dito sa bahay. O ako lang ang late umuwi?! Haha.

x`cez: Happy Birthday Ate Monic. =)

Life has its own way of making us smile.

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May 26-28 2006

"DAGHANG SALAMAT CEBU!"

    There are several places in the Philippines which we seem to ignore. I, myself, would often dream about going to other countries such that of Greece or Puerto Rico, France or Brazil. Sometimes, I fail to appreciate local places. Perhaps it is from the mentality of going farther rather than reaching out to the nearer. Through my recent trip in Cebu, I realized how beautiful this Visayan island is. It's one reachable seat for a paradise. It is in deed a rapture for all travelers.

    DAY 1

"DEPARTURE"

    I woke up as early as 4am on a lovely Friday. Too bad I had to finish something in my computer the night beforehand and so I only got 3 hours of sleep. Anyways, thanks to Ayna's funny wake up call, I was able to put my mood up despite all. I dressed right away and ate breakfast which my mom had prepared. Even though my mom used to refuse about this whole Cebu trip, somehow I felt that she agreed already. Ika nga, nandiyan na eh. Hehe. So I left the house around 5:30am and went straight to Ayna's house via jeep.

    My airplane trip was accompanied by Ayna [my best friend], Tita Vangie [Ayna's mom], and Tita Florence [Tita Vangie's friend]. I reached Ayna's place seeing the taxi waiting in front of their house. I was just in time. So yun, habang nasa taxi eh nagku-kuwentuhan lang kami. Ang aga-aga eh nagpapatawa ako. Sabi ko nga noon pa, sagot ko na ang pagpapatawa para sa biyaheng yun. Haha. =p

    We went to the domestic flight of NAIA 2. It was a busy place in deed. There were several passengers even if it was still early. In fact we saw the ramp model, Wilma Doesn't who was perhaps on a vacation too. While waiting for the flight, Tita Florence gave me and Ayna some money to eat first. So we were on our own. Cool. Tawa talaga kami nang tawa kasi paikut-ikot lang kami't walang mapag-desisyunang kainan. Soon, we finally decided to eat at Nescafe'. Nag-chocolate cookies at iced tea lang kami.

    It was past 8:30am when we entered the plane. I was seated next to Ayna but supposedly, I would be seated at the front [sa business class] because that was my original plane ticket then. Si Tita Florence na lang ang naupo dun habang kaming tatlo eh magkakatabi. Too bad the flight got delayed because we were waiting for passengers who even came from San Francisco. Pero siyempre, hindi naman ako nainip. Humanap ako ng mapapag-tripan. =p

"HONEY"

    May isang gwapong flight attendant kaming nakilala. Hahaha. Matangkad, tsinito. Halos kahawig ni Ching. =p Napag-tripan lang namin ni Ayna at nagpapansin para may magawa sa na-dedelay na flight. Nung una, humingi ako ng diyaryo. Grabe talaga, pagkatapat niya sa akin eh naka-smile pang inabot yung PDI. <3 Namatay sa kakatawa si Ayna nang binigyang-pangalan ko pa ang fafable na attendant. HONEY ang tawag ko. Lolz. Pero real name niya talaga ay Dennis [waw Madie! akalain mo! haha]. Maya-maya, lumipad na yung eroplano. Nagbigay na rin ng snacks at siya yung nag-serve sa amin. Kape ang hiningi ko para matagal siyang titigil sa lugar namin wahaha! Adek. Nung pumunta na siya sa harap, patago pa naming kinuhaan ng picture si Honey. Si Tita Vangie nakikisali na rin at siya ang kumuha ng ilang shots. Nakakatawa din, kasi yung kalikod naming lalaki eh na-gets niyang pinagti-tripan namin yung attendant. =p It was really a whacky flight to Cebu.

"WELCOMED BY CEBU CULTURE"

    We checked in at Holiday Plaza which was in Cebu City. The hotel was nice and our suite was spacey. After unpacking some stuffs, we went downstairs to eat lunch first. Nag-buffet kami. Ano pang mas sasarap sa pagkaing libre. Hehe. Tita Vangie did promise that they would take care of all my expenses which included food. Pamasahe lang ang ginastos ko talaga. So anyways, after eating we roamed around. Tita Vangie and Tita Florence went to the nearby casino in Rajah Hotel whereas Ayna and I went to the mall. In fact Tita Florence was so nice to me that she even gave me money for shopping daw. Coolness.

    So yun, naglakad-lakad kami ni Ayna. Kasing-init din ng Cebu ang Maynila kapag tanghali. Para ngang nasa Maynila ka na rin kung titignan ang kalsadang may trapik din, may overpass din, may mga pulubi din. Yun nga lang, Bisaya yung salita ng halos lahat. Siguro medyo naiba lang sa mga sasakyan. Nakakatuwang tignan yung mga pampasaherong jeep, akaiba kasi. Hindi Sarao-type. Pati yung tricycle nila, iba din. Mas malapad at saka puwedeng maupo sa likod. Napadpad kami ni Ayna sa Robinson's Place. Malapit-lapit lang sa Holiday Plaza. Gusto man naming mamili, wala naman kaming mapiling maganda. Maliit lang kasi yung mall. Para bang add-on lang nung Midpoint Hotel.

    We went to the arcades instead. We thought of earning tickets so that we could receive prices. So yun, nakailang hulog kami ng token sa pagba-basketball. Ang sakit sa paa at kamay pero nakakatuwa! Ayna and I teamed up to reach about 180 tickets. We got a pair of ball pen which amounted to 166 tickets. Yung natira, pinapalit na lang namin ng lapis. Haha. Napagod talaga ko nun pero total bonding yun with my besty. Nagkaroon pa kami ng remembrance na ball pen para sa kalokahang ginawa namin. =p

    Hours later, we returned to the hotel. Pahinga mode. I took time to nap for a while since my head was quite aching. Ayna was just watching TV. Later on, we went out again. We met with Tita Vangie at the overpass to tour some streets so as to refresh ourselves. Di na gaanong mainit kasi hapon na. Parang Quiapo yung napuntahan namin. Maraming tinda, mapa-fake DVD's o alahas. Namili pala kami ng prutas. Matatamis ang mangga ng Cebu. Malalaki pa kamo't mababango. Iba talaga kapag galing ng Cebu. Afterwards, we fetched Tita Florence at Rajah Hotel for dinner. It was my first night in Cebu then.

    We ate at Rai Rai Ken, a Japanese Restaurant. That was when I discovered how an impulsive eater Tita Florence was. Ang dami niya talagang inorder na pagkain! Sobrang nabusog ako nun. I was able to eat teriyaki and sushi, with the wasabi and spicy sauce. Grabe talaga. Nabanggit nga sa akin ni Ayna na ganun madalas si Tita Florence. She doesn't care about the expenses, just to satisfy her appetite.

"THE PERFECT LEISURE"

        For a while, I really thought of my own paradise.

    We went back to the hotel after eating. Man, I was so full. We rested for a while, watched TV and went to shower. Later on, we decided to go for a massage!!! Waah, ang sarap. Again, it was expense-paid and I got the delight of a satisfying body massage talaga. It felt like my nerves and muscles got really well. From fingertips to arms, from sole to thighs. The head massage was so relaxing too. I almost got asleep while I was being massaged by a courteous Cebuana. Somehow I was able to forget about my worries in life. It was a perfect moment to refresh ones soul, rebuild the confused mind while hearing the solemn music with all the dimmed lights and soft-cushioned seat.

    Di pa diyan natapos ang lahat. Nauna kami ni Ayna na umalis kasi niyaya niya akong mag-kape waah! She knew that I'm so addicted to coffee. We went to Bo's Coffee Club and had a sip of Chocolate Chip Coffee. Yummy. So yun, tumambay muna kami ng ilang oras dun. Pinag-kuwentuhan namin ni Ayna yung funny moment niya sa massage place. Kinalikot niya kasi yung recliner, gumalaw pababa tapos natapon yung aroma. Lolz. Naaalala ko pa rin yung hitsura niya nun. I just can't help but laugh at it.

    Matutulog na sana ko nung pagbalik namin sa hotel kaso naunahan kaming matulog ni Tita Florence na malakas mag-hilik! So nanood muna kami ng TV ni Ayna para antukin. Kaso, lalo kaming nagising haha. Tawanan na naman dahil yung America's Funny Home Videos yung napanood namin. =p I only had a low sleep for my first night. Besides the noisy snoring, the bed sheet seemed itchy. Bumangon pa ko ulit para mag-jazz pants dahil nangangati yung binti ko.

    DAY 2

"HISTORY SPEAKS ITSELF"

    Our call time was 6am. Since I had a slump sleep, I was able to get up right away. Umuna na kong maligo kay Ayna. Alam kong masama ang gising ng besty ko dahil kulang din sa tulog. Nung madaling araw kasi, nagising siya sa malakas na mga yapak ni Tita Florence. Bukod pa dun eh binuksan ni Tita Florence yung lamp shade na katabi lang ni Ayna. Mababaw din ang tulog niya dahil sa aberya. Dun ko na-realize na minsan talaga, mahirap kapag sama-sama sa iisang lugar ang mga taong may iba't ibang ugali, pananaw o personalidad. Hindi nagtutugma ang mga sarili. At may pagkakataong di talaga magkakasundo ang bawat isa.

    After our morning get-up, we went downstairs to the buffet area. Kakabusog na naman! Ang sarap nung breakfast meals nila. Feeling ko tuloy tumaba na ulit ako dahil sa masasarap na pagkain.

    Soon, the car service arrived which toured us to different tourist spots. First, we dropped by Philippine Taoist Temple. As explained by Kuya Allan, our trusty driver, it was built years ago since many Chinese men live in Cebu too. It had become a popular venue for all tourists due to its magnificent structure and view. There was a spot there wherein a good view of Cebu can be witnessed.

    Ayna and I took the experience of doing some Chinese rituals too. We entered a spacey open area wherein many Chinese gods were displayed. There were also food offerings placed in front of these bronze effigies. So anyways, the ritual started by washing our hands as sign of cleansing. After that, we grabbed an incense which we lit from a huge bowl. Nagpausok kami. Carrying the incense, we knelt for a while and prayed. Pagkatapos magdasal, tinusok namin yung insenso sa isang palayok. Pinakuha naman sa amin yung dalawang wooden blocks na hugis kidney. Sabi ni Kuya Allan, mag-wish daw kami ng tatlong beses tapos ihahagis yung blocks. Kapag parehong nakataob yung blocks, hindi magkakatotoo yung wish. Kapag parehong nakaharap naman, "maybe" daw. Kapag opposite faces, magkakatotoo daw. Haha, it was so cool that my blocks turned opposite faces twice while the third throw said "no". Tsk. Totoo kaya yun lahat? How I wonder.

    The next stop was in a handicraft store. I didn't buy anything because prices were so high! I just enjoyed looking at those native products which were really superb in quality. Sina Tita Vangie ang bumili. Naghintay na lang kami ni Ayna sa kotse.

    We went our way to Mandaue City and other old cities in Cebu. I felt so glad as we traveled historical places. I never thought that those pictures depicted on history books which I used to study had gone existent. So now I learned to appreciate more the culture and history of our land. I was able to reach Colon Street [the oldest city in the Philippines], Cebu Monument, Santo Niño Church [where the real Santo Niño was situated], Magellan's Cross [where Magellan founded Christianity] and I even got the glimpse of Malacañang De Cebu!

    Before lunch we passed by a Pasalubong Center. Even though I was eventful of my trip, of course I had never forgotten my loved ones and shared a piece of memory from Cebu. I bought Cebuano delicacies like dried mangoes, otap and piaya. As for myself, I bought a souvenir shirt which really looked nice. It even took me time to find the perfect one. So after availing, we went back in the car to go to Mactan. Lunch time.

    Mactan was so picturesque! I would never forget the seaside ride with clouds above, thickening in brightness and the mountain, blending serenely. We took lunch beside the Mactan shrine. The restaurant was facing the historic sea where it was believed Lapu-lapu and Magellan fought. Nakakatuwa kasi bago ka umorder, pipiliin mo nang FRESH yung gusto mong kainin. Makikita mong gumagalaw pa yung alimango, tahong, at iba pang lamang-dagat. Then again, Tita Florence ordered so many food! Napapanganga na lang talaga ko at sinasabi ko kay Ayna na "gudlak, sana maubos natin yan". Tsk.

    We took our seat upstairs. While waiting for the food, Ayna and I took some pictures. Ang ganda talaga nung lugar. Mahangin. Tahimik. May mangilan-ngilang batang lumalangoy. May mga mangingisdang pumapalaot. May mga mangroves sa kalayuan. May mga isdang nagtatampisaw sa kalapitan. Buhay-probinsya. Ang simple pero masaya.

    As we went back, a man was playing a melodious song through his harp at our table. How I loved it! Habang kumakain ay hinaharana ka pa. Waw talaga. At mas waw yung pagkain! Ang sarap nung hipon, nung kalamares. Maski di ako kumain ng alimango, mukha ding masarap. Ang diet nakalimutan ko na talaga. Hahaha.

    Bago umalis, namasyal muna kami sa tabing-dagat. Lakad-lakad sa white sand. Nagbaba ng kinain dahil sobrang nabusog talaga kami. So yun, picturan. Pumwesto din pala kami sa harap ng rebulto ni Lapu-lapu, na pinagtatawanan pa namin kasi mukhang Totoy Mola. =p Haha.

"SOPHISTICATION"

    We felt tiresome after eating lunch. Nakaidlip kami ni Ayna sa biyahe. Balak pa sana naming mag-Island Hopping kaso sobrang init at si Ayna, nawala sa mood. Sayang nga eh, gustung-gusto ko pa naman kaso ayaw naman ng kasama ko =( Tita Vangie suggested an alternative by going Go-Kart. Pero si Ayna, ayaw din niya! Sa totoo lang, medyo nainis ako sa kanya nun. I was off for unique activities whereas she would prefer to stay at the hotel. Minsan na nga lang mamasyal sa ganung lugar, di pa nilulubos. Hayun na nga't sagot ni Tita Florence ang lahat, siya pa ang tumatanggi. Hay. Sumama na lang tuloy kami sa Waterfont Hotel habang nagka-Casino si Tita Florence.

    Nag-ikot-ikot na lang kami sa 5-star hotel na yun. Sobrang laki. May mga souvenir shops kaming pinasukan. Tumingin-tingin. Namili ako ng ibang keychains para ipasalubong. After that, we decided to enter Duty Free. Nag-grocery sina Ayna. Siyempre, dahil nuknukan ng mahal ang presyo dun (dollar price), nakuntento na lang akong kakatingin. Hehe. Around 3pm, sinundo na ni Tita Vangie si Tita Florence sa casino. Too bad we were not allowed to enter the casino just because we were wearing flip flops. Hehe. We just waited at the huge lobby. Kuwentuhan. Tawanan. Feeling namin dun kami naka-check in. Haha.

    We went back to the hotel then. Tita Florence went to Rajah hotel once more for a round of ka-adikan sa casino. Grabe. Haha. The three of us stayed and rested in the room. Later that night, Ayna and I decided to roam around the hotel. We found out that there was a good view at the roof top. Pumunta kami dun. Nagpahangin sandali. Umikot kami sa iba pang sulok ng hotel. Pagbalik, naisipan ng mag-dinner nina Ayna. Nagpa-room service na lang kami. Man, they ordered a huge spaghetti bolognaise platter for me and it was sooo delicious! May dessert pang ripe mangoes. Yummy.

    I really got tired from the whole-day trip around Cebu. Maaga akong nakatulog. In fact, Ayna told me that she was still talking to me when she realized that I already fell asleep. Ang himbing talaga ng pagkakatulog ko nun. Ako pa ang huling nagising kinabukasan. Haha.

DAY 3

"MALL TOUR"

    As I said, I woke up quite late for the 3rd day. Somehow my head ached due to oversleeping. Nagising na lang ako't bihis na si Ayna. Kakahiya tuloy hehe. Nag-order na lang kami sa baba kaysa sa nag-buffet. Hindi rin naman kasi nakaka-kain nang marami kapag umaga eh. So yun, pagkatapos kumain eh lumabas ulit kami.

    Waah, I found a huge Pucca stuffed toy in Cebu!!! Sinong mag-aakalang dun pa ko makakahanap ng ganun. Haha. Since then, I'm loving Pucca as a cartoon character. Tuwang-tuwa ako kasi ang laki-laki ni Pucca. Kalahati ng bigat eh yung ulo niya haha. Cuteee. Maski nakaka-pulubi sa mahal, binili ko na rin. Naisip kong baka di na ako makahanap nang ganung ka-cute na Pucca. As I carried Pucca, I did nothing but to hug it. The three of them were busy buying clothes and as for me, I was just seated at the corner, staring at Pucca. Wahaha adek talaga.

    Binaba muna namin si Pucca sa hotel at nag-log out na rin kami nang maaga. While waiting for the night flight, we went back to Mactan. Naiwan ulit si Tita Florence sa casino, nag-taxi kaming tatlo. Kakaiba pala yung taxi sa Cebu, walang metro! Mayroong nakatalagang presyo para sa bawat destinasyon. The taxi driver charged us 185php back and forth. I think it was quite cheap as compared to metered billing. Somehow I thought of Cebuanos as fair people. Di sila gahaman sa pera. Di tulad dito sa Maynila. Minsan nga lolokohin ka pa ng taxi driver at pe-presyuhan ka nang mahal lalo na kung rush hour, tag-ulan o holiday. Simpleng buhay para sa mga simpleng tao..

    Tita Vangie returned the chicharons which she bought from the Pasalubong Center a day ago. Makunat kasi saka may ibang amoy. Pinalitan na lang ng ibang items. As for me, I bought again some foods which I missed last time. Bumili ako ng danggit at dilis para sa mom ko. Nagdagdag din ako ng dried mangoes kasi natikman ko't sobrang sarap pala! Hehe.

    As we arrived, we killed time at the nearby Robinson's place. Nag-ikot kami kaso di ko na masyadong na-enjoy dahil sumakit na ulit yung ulo ko. Uminom muna ako ng gamot at saka nag-lunch sa food court. Maya-maya, nagyaya na lang akong bumalik sa hotel. At para may magawa, naisipan naming mag-internet ni Ayna. So yun, isang oras na pagbabalik sa cyber life. Nagbasa-basa ako ng forums at nagbukas ng friendster. Somehow I missed it for 3 days. Tsktsk. After a while, I finally gave up and chose to take a nap on the couch na lang. Di talaga nawala yung sakit ng ulo ko. I simply don't know how come my head ached that way.

"CEBU FINALE"

    Past 6pm, we were fetched by a taxi which headed us to Mactan Airport. It was time to go home. As I last looked at the roads of Cebu, somehow I felt melancholy. Sana may "next time" pa ang pagdalaw ko sa Cebu. Parang bitin kasi hehe.

    We dragged the cart with our bags and entered airport. Habang naghihintay ng 8pm boarding time, tumambay na lang ulit kami sa kapehan. Haha. Dun na rin kami nag-dinner ng tuna sandwich. Medyo nakakaantok ang paghihintay.

    Nabuhay na lang ang dugo ko nang makapasok kami ng eroplano. Bakit kamo?!? Wahaha, sinong mag-aakalang magkikita pa kami ulit ni HONEY!!! Grabe talagaaa. Tawa kami nang tawa. It was such a co-incidence. Sa dinami-dami ba naman ng eroplano at flight attendants, si Dennis pa talaga yung makikita ko! Hahaha. Sayang nga lang at hindi siya yung naka-assign sa row namin. Dun kasi kami nakaupo sa left side. Nasa right side naman siya. =/ Pero wag ka, nung makababa ng eroplano, eh may moment kami ni HONEY!!! Nag-aabang kasi kami ng bagahe nun sa conveyor. Pababa na ng escalator yung mga pilot at flight attendants. I saw Dennis then. I really got surprised when he suddenly stared at me as he passed by. Perhaps he recognized me. Funny. TEN SECONDS OF LOOKING STRAIGHT IN THE EYES!!! <3 It really felt so bizarre. Sana magkita kami ulit. Hahaha!

    Traffic jam along Roxas Boulevard welcomed us. That was why we reached Ayna's house around 11pm na. Sobrang napagod ako sa biyahe. Masakit pa rin yung ulo ko at dumagdag pa yung sakit ng tenga! Di na rin ako nagtagal kina Ayna., kinuha ko lang yung ilan kong gamit sa bagahe nila tapos umuwi na rin ako. As I reached home, Schenly and Xianne opened the door for me. Dumating na rin pala sila galing Antique. So yun, lahat ng tao umabang sa pag-uwi ko. Pina-panood ko yung videos, nagbigay ng pasalubong, naubos ang laway sa kaka-kuwento. Kahit gustung-gusto ko ng matulog, 1am na kong nahiga't namahinga.

    Thanks talaga to my best friend for the splendid trip. For three notable days, I was able to learn and get so many things -- from different people, from different places, from different cultures. Cebu is really a blessed island enriched with history. And I hope to come back soon. =)

Dili paglipati ang manami nga banwa.

(hehehe)

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May 25 2006 | Thursday | 10:41pm

"TRIP"

    My day has been strenuous again. I went out supporting and promoting Philippine volleyball in Asian Club Championship. Supposedly, I won't watch anymore today because I had to pack my things for tomorrow's Cebu trip but Ate Flo insisted. Trip niya kasing magpakasaya-saya daw ngayon para di niya maisip na uuwi na sa Las Vegas si Lani. Hehe. So I decided to come and watch. I was also with Jean, Aileen, Carol and Airnel at Rizal Coliseum.

    Dahil wala si Ate Irma, dun na lang kami sa 20php seat. Haha, walang naglusot sa amin. So anyways, the first game was Philippines vs. Taiwan. Hindi namin naumpisahan pero pagdating pa lang eh nakita na naming mukhang tambak ang Pinas. Trip yata nilang maglampaso ng sahig nun. =p Too bad. Despite all, we kept on giving spirit to the athletes. Tawa talaga ko ng tawa sa pinag-gagawa namin kanina! Ginagaya namin yung tunog sa ambulansya. Ibang klaseng trip! Haha. Natawa na lang din tuloy sa amin si Che (Balse) na nandun din at pinapanood yung ate niya.

    Pinanood pa rin namin yung 2nd game, Indonesia vs. China. Ganun din ang trip ng Indons, naglampaso din at tatlong sets lang yung laban. Haha. After that game, we decided to eat outside first. Kakagutom din ang puro tawanan. Napag-tripan naming mag-street foods. Mais, kwek-kwek, sa malamig. Sa totoo lang kaya yan ang kinain namin kasi wala na kaming pera! =p Si Aileen kasi eh, ayaw manlibre. Hahaha.

    Carol went home then. As we went back to the gym, we thought of sneaking to the presidential box. And yeah, we were able to. =) So yun, ang sarap tuloy sa kinaupuan namin. Bukod sa kitang-kitang yung laro, maaliwalas pa. Libre pa kamo. Haha. The 3rd game was Kazakhstan vs. Japan. Grabe, ang gagaling nila! Kung ganun lang sana kagaling ang Pinas, eh di sana hindi sila naglilinis ng sahig. Hehe. How I admired Japan's setter, Hashinamoto (#17). Ang galing niyang mag-jump serve! Trip niya talagang lumipad kapag nasa service line haha.

    Di na namin tinapos yung Game 3. Mukha naman kasing Kazakhstan ang mananalo eh. Hehe. Jeanne (Espolong) supposedly would come to watch with us in Game 3. Unfortunately, there wasn't a vehicle from her place that was why it got cancelled. After receiving that message, we also decided to finally go home na nga. Umuna na si Jean, sumunod na rin kami nina Aileen at Ate Flo. So yun, maaga-aga din akong nakauwi sa bahay. Around 7pm I was home. I spent the rest of my time packing up. Wuhoo, I'm going to a Cebu tomorrow! It's another exciting trip to look forward to. =)

Trip mo bang sumabay sa agos ng aking buhay? Halina't sakay na, sa aking trip.

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May 24 2006 | Wednesday | 10:04pm

"IT'S TRUST THAT MATTERS"

    I remembered one question from my PDI exam which somehow had resembled with my day today. The question was, "What's the thing you value the most?" Honestly, a couple of answers were in my head at that time. We can value special people or smacking events. We can value our priorities or simply, our dreams. But I guess for me, one of the things I value the most is TRUST -- trust from oneself, from other people and from beliefs. It's something incalculable but would definitely count as one of my priced possessions.

    Mahimbing ang pagkakatulog namin ni Ate Flo kanina. Past 9pm na kami nagising. Pagkauwi niya, nag-computer lang ako sa bahay -- gumawa ng mga artikulo, ng mga istorya. I was also trying to relax too since I would go out again in the afternoon. We watched Asian Club Championship, an international open composed of countries: Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Kazakhstan and Japan.

    Along with my trusty buddy again, Ate Flo, we met at Vito Cruz station. The venue of the volleyball game was in Rizal Coliseum by the way. Back to the same old venue. =p So anyways, I really had a fun time with my buddy once more. Maski siguro dalawa lang kaming magkasama palagi, tiwala akong masaya ang bawat pag-gimik. Sa katunayan, naisipan nga naming kumain sa isang food stall, dun ba sa paglabas ng LRT. Bihira akong kumain sa ganun pero siguro tumiwala na rin ako kay Ate Flo na masarap kumain ng manok dun. And actually, it was. Bukod sa sa mura, daig pa ang Jolibee chicken sa sarap. Hehe. Kung anu-ano na tuloy ang natututunan kong kainin dahil kay Ate Flo =p

    Second game na yung inabutan namin. China vs. Thailand. Buti kamo't nagparamdam si Ate Irma (PSC Nurse) at nakalibre kami ng entrance fee na dapat ay 100php. Haha. So before entering Rizal, we met with Ate Irma first. Dun kami idinaan ni Ate Irma sa pasikut-sikot ng Rizal. Cool. So yun, nakapasok nga kami. Nakita din namin si Jc kaya tabi-tabi na kami't nanood. =) Si Aileen nandun din pala pero sa ibang upuan siya napa-puwesto. Haha, adek. Eh hindi naman siya maka-text agad kasi wala na pala siyang load. Tsktsk.

    Philippines battled with Indonesia in the 3rd match. They won in 3 sets! Even though the RP team seems raw, with its almost-new team line-up, they managed to overpower the opponents. Ate Cherry (as the new captain, replacing Ate Rox huhu), brought her team well. I can't deny the fact that Ate Ging showed what she's made of as a volleyball player. Pero siyempre, di ko pa rin naaalis sa isip ko yung ginawa niya nun. Hay.

    Speaking of which, after the game and while the RP players were cooling down on the floor, Ate Ging surprisingly waved at us from afar. Perhaps she recognized me even if we were far off seated at the upper box. Si Ate Flo na lang ang kumaway. Ewan ko ba, ayoko pa rin kasing isiping niyang "okay na talaga" na parang ganun lang kadali ang lahat. Kaya hindi na lang ako kumaway sa kanya. Nung una pa nga eh ayaw ko pang maniwala na kami ang kinakawayan niya. Baka naman kasi ibang tao di ba. But I realized that we were the only ones left there. I even saw Ate Ging calling Jinni to perhaps affirm if that was really us.

    As we went outside, we decided to sit in front of the car park. Ate Flo requested that we wait for Ate Cherry. Habang nakaupo, dumaan sa harap namin si Ate Chelle. Binati ko, nangamusta siya. Hinanap pa nga niya si Kim eh. Haha. A little later, Ate Cherry and the rest came. Kay Ate Cherry ko lang talaga gustong magpakita pero epal na kotse, nailawan tuloy yung lugar namin. Hahaha. Habang kinakausap kami ni Ate Cherry, lumapit din sa amin si Ate Ging. Hinihila-hila pa niya ko't binibiro habang tahimik lang ako..

    Other people can see the efforts of Ate Ging to fix the once-broken friendship between us. Ate Flo and Aileen kept on telling me how come I remain numb to all her good treatments. Di ko daw ba ma-realize na player na mismo ang lumalapit sa amin pero iniignore ko lang. Ewan ko ba, di rin kasi nila maintindihan yung nararamdaman ko. Akala kasi nila ganun lang kadali ibalik ang lahat tulad ng dati. Ako pa naman yung tipo ng taong kapag nasira ang pagtitiwala, matagal maibalik o baka nga hindi na magbalik. Na-appreciate ko din naman yung mga ginagawa ni Ate Ging pero kasi, minsan naiisip kong baka ginagawa niya lang yun dahil alam niyang 'may problema' at kailangan niyang takpan 'ang problema' dahil player siya. Kung babalikan, ang ugat ng lahat ay tungkol sa plastikan. Bakit ko pa papayagang maulit yun at gawin sa akin ulit. Kaya siguro ganun na lang ako ka-passive kapag nandiyan si Ate Ging na tinuring ko talagang kaibigan noon. My trust on her had really been damaged. Punish me for being too egotistical but I guess that's how the situation goes and I'm just blending within. Pero di ko naman tuluyang sinasara yung chance na maging okay ulit. Hindi naman lahat ng bagay at sitwasyon ay permanente di ba.

    As we went home, we were laughing out loud because Ate Flo was making fun of Aileen. Ang paborito niyang okrayin =p Hehe. Kinantyawan naming manlibre si Aileen pero sabi niya sa Biyernes pa daw siya se-suweldo. Haha. Grabe talaga, ang lakas ng tawa namin ni Ate Flo sa loob ng LRT. Pati yung ibang pasahero eh natatawa na lang sa jokes ni Ate Flo. Adek.

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but also, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the most tempting moment.

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May 23 2006 | Tuesday | *11:23am

"DREADFUL"

    I never thought of this dreadful day at PDI. Initially, I thought of a simple psychological test only. Yung tipong I.Q. o personality test lang. Believe me, series of exams were given for six straight hours! Just imagine how frustrating it was. Here's what happened.

    I met with Djhay in UST at 10:30am. We both don't know where PDI building was exactly located. That was why we thought of taking a cab instead of following Sir Nicky's confusing direction to PDI via jeep or FX. We exited España gate as we waited for a cab. It took time actually. May mga taxi drivers na hindi alam kung saan ang PDI building. Nyar.

    Sa sinakyang taxi namin ni Djhay, inakala naming alam talaga nung mama yung PDI building. We were starting to doubt at the driver when he asked many questions about the destination whereas initially, he really said that he knew where PDI was. Nakakainis pa lalo kasi doon pa niya dinaan sa mata-trapik na kalsada. We even passed by the busy streets of San Andres. So anyways, Djhay and I just spared time by talking to each other.

    Luckily, the driver was able to find the right roadway to PDI. The fare reached around 120php, just as what had been expected. 11:30am pa lang nun kaya nakapag-lunch pa kami ni Djhay. Naghanap kami ng makakainan at sa Mcdo kami napadpad. So yun, kahit medyo busog pa ako eh kumain na rin ako. Naisip kong baka gutumin ako sa PDI. Later, we texted Pam to tell her that we were about to enter PDI building already. Dapat sana sabay-sabay kaming papasok kaso ang tagal niyang dumating hehe. By the way, Pam is the third scholar of PDI. She has the same course with us but she's not our block mate.

    I felt glad as we walked in PDI. Nakakatuwang isiping nasa isang prestihisoyong kompanya ako. Inuudyok ko pa nga ang sarili ko nung balang-araw, ito ang lugar na madalas kong pupuntahan dahil dito ako magta-trabaho. Haha, nangarap nanaman ng gising. =p So anyways, we approached the Information Area to look for Ms. Cita. I told the clerk that we're PDI scholars who were to take the exam. We were even introduced to Mr. Yambot, the publisher of PDI. Siya yung magbibigay ng scholarship. =) Since it was not 1pm yet, we stayed at the lobby first. We were also waiting for Pam then. While seated, we just thought of reading the newspaper. Lokohan pa namin ni Djhay, na baka itanong sa interview yung banner story ng PDI tapos hindi pala namin alam. Haha.

    Maya-maya, dumating na rin si Pam. Di rin nagtagal at pinatawag na kami para umakyat sa 2nd floor. We were welcomed by the PDI writer, Cristy Soliman. Cool. =p So yun, naglakad kami papasok at waah, nakakatuwa yung hitsura ng kwarto! Yung tipong may kanya-kayang working station tapos para bang halos lahat eh busy sa pagta-type ng istorya nila. Bukod sa malamig yung lugar, amoy kape pa! Perhaps that's the kind of news room that I've been wanting since then. So anyways, we were lead to an empty working station. Dun kami nag-stay ng napakahaaaaabang oras..

    First, we filled up an application form and answered several personality tests. Okay pa nun eh. Besides the fact that personal questions were just being asked (no need to think profoundly), there was no time constraint. Later, a booklet was then given to us. Nung una, inakala naming yung I.Q. test lang ang papasagutan. Actually dun pa nga lang mahirap na eh, kasi dapat matapos ka within 10 minutes. Aba, nagulat talaga kami nang malamang yung buong booklet ay sasagutan! Waah. Nosebleed talaga!!! Saan ka pa, may Math exams na nakakahilong sagutan dahil hindi naman multiple choice type! May spelling test na nakakainis kasi dinectate lang yung words at ang ngongo/bulol magsalita nung examiner (haha) kaya di ko maintindihan. May 60-item reading comprehension na dapat matapos ng 15 minutes. May vocabulary tests na di mo lubos-akalaing may ganung existing words pala. May pictogram test. May grammar test. May punctuation test. At bilang finale, may essay-type test (about personal life) na nuknukan ng daming tanong! Halos paulit-ulit naman yung tanong. Err. Hindi man lang kami pinag-break! Grabe talaga. Masakit sa ulo. Masakit sa tiyan. At masakit sa damdamin dahil para bang gumuho yung pag-asa kong pumasa. Yun ang isa sa mga pinakamahirap na exam na na-take ko talaga. Dikdikan pala ang tawag sa pagkuha ng scholarship. Matira ang matibay.

    Wait there was more! We thought it was over, but it wasn't. After taking the exam, we went upstairs to the Editorial room. Doon, mas busy pa lalo ang mga tao. Mas maraming working station. Mas magulo. Nagkalat ang mga pahina ng Inquirer. Maririnig mo yung pag-pprint ng papel, pagtunog ng tiklado ng keyboard, at may TV sa gitna kung saan, '24 Oras' ang palabas. Tuloy ang pag-ring ng telepono. May lakad nang lakad. May mga nakaupo lang at abala sa pagla-layout ng balita nila. Kahit pagod na talaga ko nun, natutuwa pa rin akong makita yun. >.< Maya-maya, pinaupo na kami sa harap ng computer. May kanya-kanya kaming table at magkakahiwalay. Pinag-type kami ng essay! Actually it was easy, because anyway you would just tell about yourself -- your likes, dislikes, dreams and hobbies. But the fact the I was so tired, it seemed that my brain didn't function well anymore. My eyes were so sluggish already. My muscles were thumping in coldness. In fact there was a moment that I was typing while my eyes were shut. Ganun ka-grabe. I felt that I've reach the limit already and I just want to finish things right away.

    After an hour we went back to Ms. Jane. Pri-nint lang sandali yung ginawa namin tapos binigay na kay Mr. Yambot yung mga papel. Sa wakas, at tapos na. Tatawagan na lang daw kami para sa physical at medical test. That is, kung papasa kami! Waah. @.@

    U pahttket.com/albums/c122/shellyowceex/blogs/blog_pic402.jpgket.com/albums/c122/shellyowceex/blogs/blog_pic402.jpgket.com/albums/c122/shellyowceex/blogs/blog_pic402.jpguong maghapon, naglaan pa rin ako ng panahon para sa kaibigan. Dapat kasi manonood ako ng Toribio Cup (game nina Diah) nung 3pm. Kasama ko sana sina Carol, Ate Flo at Aileen. Pero dahil nga sa nakahabang araw sa PDI, di na ko nakahabol. So yun, bumawi ako kay Ate Flo. Habang naghihintay sa lobby, may kumausap sa aking babae. Taga-HR (Human Resource) pala siya. Kaya ganun na lang ka-PR ang approach sa akin. Hehe. So she asked stuffs about me -- kung saang school daw ako, kung saan ako umuuwi. Ang sarap nga niyang kausap eh, pati ako napatanong na rin ng kung anu-ano sa kanya. Hehe. Natanong ko kung ilang taon na siyang nag-wwork a PDI at sabi niya, 20 years na! Napangiti kami pareho. Sabi ko sa kanya, "naku sana ako din makapag-work dito.." Natuwa naman ako sa sinabi niya, "Kaya niyo yan, kayo pang mga taga-UST!" Waah. Pampalubag? Hehehe.

    Finally, Ate Flo came. So I bid goodbye to that lady, hoping we'll meet again. So yun, kumain muna kami sa KFC dahil sobraaang gutom na ako. Isipin mo ba naman, anim na oras na walang tubig at pagkain habang nag-iisip sa exam. While eating, Ate Flo went on telling about her experiences these past days. Pupungay-pungay na ang mata ko habang nakikinig sa kanya. Sobrang pagod talaga. By the way, Ate Flo handed me a note from Lani Misalucha for me. Cool. The note says that Lani is hoping to meet me on her next visit. Katuwa naman. =)

    Dahil sinundo ako ni Ate Flo sa PDI, I did a favor of accompanying her too in GAMA. It's a small studio where Ate Flo needed to get a contract from their talent. Ang tagal din naming naghintay. Grabe. Nag-kuwentuhan na lang kami. Pagkatapos nun, dumaan pa kaming Oakwood (in Glorietta) dahil balak sana akong ipakilala ni Ate Flo kay Lani. So yun, pagdating ng Oakwood, mi-neet namin si Ate Marie (P.A. ni Lani). Nag-CR muna kami sa loob ng Glorietta. We even saw Rustom Padilla outside the movie house! Tapos magkakilala pala si Rustom at si Ate Marie. Astig. So anyways, we went back to the Oakwood lobby. We were waiting for Lani who was in a rehearsal. Antok na antok na ako nun. Nahihiya lang talaga ko kay Ate Flo na sabihing gusto ko ng umuwi. An hour later, Ate Flo finally decided not to wait for Lani anymore. Baka daw kasi kumain pa yun sa labas dahil huling araw na niya sa Pinas. Nag-taxi na kami pauwi. Maulan. Malamig na pag-uwi dahil sa pagod at antok. Dun na rin natulog sa bahay si Ate Flo. Pagpasok pa lang sa kwarto ko, pareho kaming knock-out agad. Hahaha. What a day!

It's better to devote more attention to a successful exit than a favorable entrance. What matters most is being applauded when you arrive and being missed when you leave.

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May 22 2006 | Monday | 11:27pm

"FATE"

    It has been a tiring Monday. Lagalag mode na ulit ako hehe.

    Unfortunately, none of my usual buddies in watching V-league were available today. At first, I thought I would never be able to watch the much-awaited AdU-DLSU match. Pero siguro nga, kung itinakda, sadyang magaganap. I was with my college pals a while ago. Luckily, Madie, Dez and Mau were on the go to watch with me in Ateneo Gym. Naisipan ko lang silang yayain (nang on the spot haha) kagabi, dahil bukod sa malapit lang sila sa Katipunan, alam kong into volleyball din sila. So yun, napag-usapang magkita-kita sa Katipunan station ng 5pm.

    I had a fatal experience on my way. It was a bizarre incident that I would never ever forget perhaps. Here's what happened.

    I reached the LRT 2 station seeing a jam-packed number of people. Since it was rush hour, many people were hurriedly catching up for the train. Pagdating ng tren, halos nagmamadaling pumasok ang lahat. Buti nga't nakapasok ako agad eh. I just got surprised when suddenly, I noticed a father, carrying his young son (around 2 y/o) within his arms, who was about to enter the train. Everyone were alarmed as we saw that the child's right hand got stuck in the LRT door!!! Pabukas pa lang yung pinto nun. Saktong pagdating sa dulo nung sliding door, naipit yung kamay nung bata! Waah. Nakipagsiksikan kasi yung tatay kaya dun siya napadaan sa gilid ng pinto. Di mo naman masabing kasalanan ng bata dahil wala yung kamuwang-muwang. Grabe, nakakaawa talaga. Maski ako, nanghina sa mga nakita ko. Natatarantang umiiyak yung nanay ng bata, habang yung tatay eh parang di na makagalaw sa panghihina. Ang tagal pa bago natanggal yung kamay ng bata sa pagkaka-ipit. Ilang beses pang binukas-sarado yung pintuan para lang mahila yung kamay! I just imagined how painful it was. The child was crying hard. The fact that he still has soft bones, it seemed that it would result to broken bone/s talaga. Even if I don't know then, I felt so weak then. Siguro isa lang ang natutunan ko sa insidenteng yun -- di mo masasabi kung kailan darating ang disgrasya.

    I was supposed to take the North exit but I guess my mind got blew off by the dwindling incident. I took the opposite way instead! Kaya sabi ko kina Madie at Dez, dun na lang kami magkita sa Mini Stop kasi dun din yung tawiran sa kabilang side. Minutes later, they came there too. We bought food first before heading to Ateneo. Hahabol din pala si Mau nun kasi na-late ng nagising. Hehe.

    How I missed my fellow Ponkanbabes, matagal-tagal din kaming di nagkita kaya todo kumustahan. So yun, kakatuwa. Lalo na nung dumating ang all-pink na si Maureen! Haha. Siguro itinakdang matagal kaming di nagkausap-usap para todo sa tawanan yung mga topics namin (especially tungkol kay.. *too-toot*). Hahaha. In some way, I wanted to go back to school already just because I felt that I'm missing the good old days with my block mates.

    Soon Game 2 started. Nakakagulat na biglang-dami yung tao sa gym. Inabangan nga ng lahat ang larong yun. At talaga namang, hindi nasayang ang panonood namin. Yun na yata ang isa sa mga pinaka-magandang laban na napanood ko. Dig kung dig. Palo kung palo. Dikit na dikit yung scores. Halos lahat napapasigaw. In fact there was even a "mini-show" with some fans. It was sooo funny! Nagkaka-pikunan kasi sa pag-ccheer. May isang bading na maka-AdU na putak nang putak. Naingayan siguro yung ibang DLSU fans, sinasagot tuloy siya ng boos. Haha. Sumabay pa yung AdU drums sa kaingayan. Kakatuwa talaga. Naalala ko tuloy yung mga die-hard UST fans nun na animo'y anino ng mga magugulong Adamson fans kanina. Tsk.

    Hats off to Adamson,. Though they got beaten in that five-setter game, I have nothing more to say. It was  fate which had set the call. Mas umangat lang siguro ang La Salle kanina kasi konti lang errors nila. Somehow I felt bad for Ate Cherry. But at least, she did her part. My friends even told me how they admired Ate Cherry's kills too.

    After the game, we waited for Ate Cherry. Inabot ko sa kanya yung picture ni Ate Ging. Alam ko kasing magkikita sila sa RP training. Yun pala yung picture na inilagay ko nun sa MOD. Arbor na sana yun kaso naisipan ko ng ibalik. Tsk. Alam niyo na siguro kung bakit. So yun, pagkabigay ko, nagkausap pa kami sandali ni Ate Cherry. I told her how saddening it was for that close match. Too bad. I pointed out to her my UST friends who accompanied me to watch the game. She even smiled at them from afar. Tinanong niya kasi kung sinong kasama ko at kung saan na kami papunta. Sabi ko, uuwi na. Hehe. Ang bait talaga niya.

    It was past 9pm when we went out of the gym. Nag-tricycle kami hanggang LRT 2 station. We split ways when Madie and Dez took a jeep whereas Mau and I took the train. Bumaba si Mau sa Cubao. Bumaba ako ng Recto station at nagmamadaling lumipat sa LRT 1. But too bad it was closed already. I took a Retiro jeep instead in Doroteo Jose. I reached home around 10:30pm na. How tiring.

    By the way, a while ago my mom received a call from Inquirer. They're requesting me to go to their building tomorrow at 1pm for the psychological test. I guess Djhay and Pam received a call as well. Sabay-sabay na lang kaming pupunta dun bukas. Magkiktia na lang sa USTe. At nawa, magising ako ng maaga bukas! Waaah.

    * Ano palang ginagawa sa isang psychological test? Hmm.

Fate has its own way of making us feel surprised. Be ready for it.

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May 20 2006 | Saturday | 11:00pm

"HOME SWEET HOME"

    I stayed all-day just at home. Weird actually. It's often that I won't spend my day in the house since I easily get bored. But a while ago, somehow I enjoyed being a homebody.

    Our home undergoes slight redecoration. My mom, with the help of our driver, paints the walls of several rooms for a change. As I went down this morning, I caught my mom painting the entertainment room. Tutulong sana ako sa pagpipintura kaso bigla kong naisip na di pa ko kumakain. Hehe. Nang maka-kain, tinamad na kong maki-join sa pagpa-paint kaya nag-PC na lang ako.

    I got hooked to another PC game. All-day I was playing "Feeding Frenzy". Basically, it's a challenge of feeding a fish and as the level goes up, it becomes tougher. Luckily the said PC game was still saved in my USB and so I was able to play with it in the absence of my PC. By the way, I'm currently using the older PC (yung sa ate ko). Days ago, Mang Benjie (the technician) told me that my PC's motherboard blew up already and so it requires a new one. That's the reason why up to now, nagtitiyaga ako sa mabagal at lumang PC. Sana sa Lunes okay na.

    Tanghali na ako nagising pero dinapuan pa rin ako ng antok nung hapon. Grabe, tulog-mantika talaga ko kanina. Tatlong oras yata akong tulog. Nagising na lang ako sa tawag ni Ate Flo. She told me that she won't be able to come tomorrow in Toribio Cup because they'll get tickets for Lani's show in Glorietta. She then asked me if there's chance for me to show up in Glorietta. I really felt so sorry for Ate Flo that I won't be able to accompany her this time. Gusto talaga niya kong isama pero di nga ako makaalis ng bahay dahil walang kasama yung mom ko dito. In fact a while ago too, Aileen was inviting me to watch V-league but I refused too. Mas pinili ko talaga ngayong malagi lang sa bahay. Ewan ko ba. Siguro kailangan ko ding kilalanin yung bahay ko at matali paminsan-minsan. Panahon ko rin para magpahinga buong araw. At least ngayon kilala na ulit ako ng kusina namin, sala namin at ng kama ko. Hehehe.

    Ayna is still encouraging me for the Cebu trip. Days ago, I decided to quit already since my scholarship interview is pending. Baka kasi sumakto sa petsang nasa Cebu ako, tatawag yung PDI para interviewhin ako. Sayang naman yun. At alam kong lalo akong di papayagan ngayon dahil nagpaayos ako ng PC. Parang hindi na maglalabas ng pera ulit yung nanay ko para sa pagpunta ko ng Cebu. Nakausap ko kanina sa phone si Tita Vangie (mom ni Ayna). Waah, pati siya kinukulit na rin akong sumama. Huwag ko daw alalahanin yung pera, papautangin niya daw ako. Nabanggit ko sa kanya yung isipin ko sa interview. Ginawan niya rin ng paraan, pina-move niya yung flight ng Friday. Bale nasa Cebu kami mula Friday-Sunday. Siguro naman daw, hindi sasaktong magpapatawag ng interview dahil bihirang magpatawag kapag weekends. Waah, pero di pa rin 100% sure! Malay ba natin kung pati weekends eh tuloy ang lakaran sa PDI. I also wanted to go with Ayna in Cebu and enjoy a short vacation there, likewise I don't want to regret in the end that I missed the chance in PDI just because I was out of Manila! Huhu I'm in a dilemma.

x`cez: Olyn and Matt were evicted already. Six housemates are left in PBB house and the voting for Big Four begins now. Please vote for Kim! Haha. Text BB (space) Kim!!! =p

There's no place like home.

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May 19 2006 | Friday | 08:19pm

"DA VINCI CODE"

    It has been a hot hot Friday. Perhaps that was the reason why I chose to hang out in the mall. Libreng air-con, enjoy ka pa. Hehe.

    I've been bonding so much with Ayna these past few days. Most of my daily events occur within her knowing. It was either we talk for lingering hours on the phone or I was at their house to fritter away. A while ago, I decided to invite her to watch "The Da Vinci Code" at Gateway. Kahit biglaan yung pagyayaya ko, on the go pa rin si Ayna.

    Bandang 1pm kami nagkita sa Jolibee [Mayon]. Sabay kaming sumakay ng biyaheng Recto. Kakainis nga lang at tumagal ng isang oras yung biyahe dahil nag-abang pa ng mga pasahero. Medyo nakakaantok. Tanghaling tapat pa. Pagbaba ng jeep, nag-LRT 2 kami hanggang Araneta Center-Cubao. So yun, kahit nakakairita yung biyahe, na-solve ang lahat nang makapasok na sa Gateway.

    As we went to the theaters, we just got surprised by numerous people who were falling in line! Initially we thought we could never watch anymore. Later on, we heard from a theater clerk that tickets of "The Da Vinci Code" could be availed too at the other side. Lucky for us, perhaps. So we went there immediately. We even got a reserved ticket seat scheduled for 3:25pm. While waiting for the time, tumambay muna kami sa Food Court.

    Tawanan, kain, tawanan ulit. Yan ang ginawa namin ng isang oras sa Food Court. Haha. Hanga din ako kay Ayna kasi kahit minsan sobrang corny ko na, tawa pa rin siya nang tawa. =p Wendy's pala ang kinain namin. Yummy bacon mushroom melt.

    Nag-CR muna kami bago pumasok sa sinehan. Ayon na nga rin kay Ayna, pala-ihi daw kasi siya kapag nanonood ng sine. Hahaha. We entered the movie house just in time. Saktong pag-upo namin eh simula na. "The Da Vinci Code" has been a controversial issue even when it was still a book then. Last night I was watching GMA 7's Debate and their topic was whether to allow or ban the film. Actually I cannot put a judgment at that moment since I wasn't able to see the film yet. So now that I've seen it, in my opinion there's no room to disallow its showing. Why? First thing, it's a mere fiction. The fact that it was noted as Dan Brown's product of the mind, the film is actually suggestive rather than subjective. Secondly, I believe that the film is not a track for swaying one's faith. It's just a film. I think it's not feasible to think that faith can easily be broken just by a film. Lastly, I never saw any outraged level of blasphemy or direct attack on Church from the film. The story was rather focused on Professor Langdon and Sophie's quest for mystery. Kakaaliw nga eh, ang astig ng twists. Sana balang-araw may ma-diskubre din akong mga ganung bagay misteryong nasa likod ng paintings. Haha.

    The film was quite lengthy. We went out of the movie house around 5:30pm na. Ayna caught some head ache already. So went home right away. Buti na lang at nakasakay agad kami ng Retiro jeep. Naiihi pa naman kami. Haha. Hay naku, lalo pa kong naihi dahil tawa na naman kami nang tawa! Naalala kasi namin yung babaeng bumahing sa sinehan na parang binahing ang buong mundo sa lakas! =p Hahaha talaga!!! Ang kulit naming dalawa.

    As I went home, Ate Flo called me up. By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ATE FLO! Hehe. So yun, nagkuwento siya ng mga nangyayari sa buhay-buhay niya so far. Puro Lani pa rin. Hehe. Na-kuwento din pala niyang natutuwa siya kasi naalala nina Ate Rox at Ate Cherry yung birthday niya. =) I'm happy for her. Yun nga lang, parang nagka-problema kami nung pahuling usap na. Di kasi ako sigurado sa Linggo, eh nagyayaya siyang manood ng show ni Lani sa Glorietta. Hay. Bukod kasi wala na kong pera, wala ring tatao sa bahay. Bakasyon mode kasi yung katulong namin. Iniisip ko din na malayo yung Glorietta (gabi pa) at baka naman di ko ma-enjoy kasi hindi rin naman ako gaanong into Showbiz or singing. Hay, ang hirap mag-explain kay Ate Flo. =/ I don't want to let her down, likewise I don't want to break my limits right now.

"What matters is, what you believe in."

(The Da Vinci Code)

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May 17 2006 | Wednesday | 11:58pm

"SIGE, TAWA LANG"

    The weather has changed again. It became oh-so sunny today whereas last night, the rain poured endlessly. This was the reason why I felt exhaustion when I came out of the house at noon.

    I went to UST to pass my résumé. Djhay has been texting me to come earlier so that we could check each other's papers. Somehow he seem anxious on every step that we take in this whole scholarship process. As for me, I just try to be calm. I believe that tension must not conquer. You must rather put things with a smile. So I arrived around 12:30pm. I sat at the pavilion and waited for him. When he arrived, Djhay immediately looked for my résumé as he requested me to check his own. So yun, habang naghihintay ng 1pm, kung anu-anong tinanong sa akin ni Djhay. Inamin niyang kinakabahan daw talaga siya.

    We entered AB Building at 1pm. Nasalubong ko pa si Lorr, may summer class pala siya. So anyways, ako na lang ang naghanap kay Sir Nicky sa Faculty Room dahil nahihiya si Djhay. Sir Dennis was the first person I saw there. He even gleefully replied to me enter the faculty room. So we entered. Pam, the 3rd scholar was there too. As soon as we took a seat, Sir Nicky started to discuss . He handed to us our transcript of record and the certification from the dean. He did mention of his wishful desire that we will be picked by PDI. Madalas kasi, UPian ang nakukuha. Nagulat ako kasi ang daling napansin ni Sir Nicky na napasimangot ako (haha). Siguro nga, madaling malaman ng ibang tao ang nararamdaman mo sa pamamagitan lang ng pag-ngiti o pag-ngiwi. Biniro pa niya kong ngumiti naman daw ako kahit papaano. Haha.

    Somehow it saddened me that I wasn't able to watch V-league today. Na-break na ang pangako kong papanoorin ko ang lahat ng laro ni Ate Cherry. Hehe. Maaga man natapos yung lakad ko sa USTe at kaya pa sanang umabot sa 4pm game sa Ateneo, pero pinili kong huwag na lang tumuloy. Hindi na rin ako sumama kanina kay Ate Flo sa Jupiter. Balak niya sanang ipakilala ako kay Lani Misalucha. Before going home, I bought merienda first at UST Mall. I've noticed that many food stores are open for business already. Nag-rice in a box ako. At dahil mainit ang panahon, sa Mcdo na lang ako kumain. Umorder ako ng sundae para naman di ako palayasin doon. Hahaha.

    I had a sounding nap for two hours. I woke up with a mild headache, perhaps due to oversleeping. Nag-stay lang ako sa kuwarto hanggang gumabi. Nakabukas yung TV, habang nagdidikit ng articles ni Ate Rox. Napangiti na lang ako habang ginagawa yung soon-to-be surprise ko para sa 15 taon niyang pagbabalibol. Maya-maya, tumawag si Ayna. Niligpit ko na yung articles at saka nakipag-kuwentuhan sa besty ko. Nagpa-plano kaming manood ng "The Da Vinci Code" sa weekend. Sana matuloy. Napag-chikahan din pala namin yung HS blues. Tungkol sa mga crush. Tungkol sa maraming kalokohan. Tungkol sa mga alaalang minsan di mo akalaing nangyari pala sa iyo. Mga ka-kwelahan ng nakaraan. Minsan din naming nakalimutan. Grabe, mamatay ako sa kakatawa talaga! Ngayon lang naming nare-realize kung gaano kami ka-tanga, o ka-inosente, o kababaw noon. I really had a good laugh then. As Ayna said, "Sige tawa lang Shelly.. tawa lang.." =)

Live like Mr Bean. He's alone, he has no family, but despite that, he has the guts to make others happy.

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May 16 2006 | Tuesday | 07:43pm

"UNSTRINGING TIME"

    If not because of a phone call, I would be late for the day. Tuloy ang pagkakahimbing ko maski dapat 9am ay gising na ako. I didn't know how come my alarm clock failed to do its job. I woke up around 10am already. I was in a hurry since I had to meet with Kc at 11am to sell books again.

    Darn, I hate to chase with time. It leaves me breathless. I was rushing in my get-up. I hardly picked my footwear, which would usually take time for me to choose. I just wore my old blue sandals. In short, my everyday fixing wasn't the usual. So anyways, I caught up at Mcdonald's Retiro. Pupunta pa sana kaming STC ni Kc para ibigay yung mga libro kay Franz pero nag-favor akong siya na lang ang pumunta sa Mcdo. Nagmamadali din kasi ako nun. I also had to meet with Carol and Ate Flo in Bustillos at 11:30am to watch Diah's match. What a hectic day. =p Mala-Amazing Race ang dating.

    Instead of dropping to Legarda via LRT 2, I chose to ride a jeep to Laon-Laan. Naisip kong mas mabilis kapag ganun ang ruta ko. Pumasok ako ng UST Dapitan, lumabas sa España, tumawid ng overpass, at nag-padyak hanggang Bustillos. Nagmadali ako kasi nakakahiya kina Carol dahil super late na ko. Haha. Nagkita kami sa Jolibee (Bustillos), magkasama na sina Carol at Ate Flo. So we went our way to EARIST Gym. Past 12pm na, Carol suggested that we take a cab. Nilibre niya kami (naks!).

    Pagpasok namin sa EARIST, hay naku hindi pa pala game ng Letran. Nagmadali pa naman kami. We even caught Diah and the rest of the Arribas outside the gym. So yun, kumustahan sandali. Maya-maya, nauna na kaming pumasok nina Carol at Ate Flo sa gym. Anyway nandun naman si Ate April [former team mate nina Diah] at sina Tita Belen [mom ni Bang] sa loob. As we sat, CSB-AdU match was on-going. Ang init ng gym, masikip pa sa una naming inupuan. While waiting, we were texting Aileen. Ang alam kasi namin, manonood din siya. Minutes later, Aileen called Ate Flo's cellphone and asked where she was. Napag-tripan lang lokohin ni Ate Flo, sinabi niyang hindi siya makakanood ng game. Sinabi niyang ako lang at si Carol ang manonood. It was never thought that Aileen would somehow mind Ate Flo's joke.

   Letran's game started already. Still, there was no shadow of Aileen. We failed to mind Aileen for we were into the Letran-NU match. With regard to game, okay naman. Letran managed a 3-set sweep. There were moments of downfalls, but I guess we would be thanking Tita Belen for such loud motivation. She was so funny! Lait kung lait eh. Sigaw kung sigaw. Natatawa na lang kaming lahat talaga. In deed, Bang is lucky to have Tita Belen as a cool mom. Hehe. Bang was a huge leaper during the game by the way and so as Diah's dink balls were superb. Minsan naiisip ko tuloy bakit hindi nga ba tumuloy sa RP itong si Diah. Sayang magaling pa naman siya.

    After the game, tumambay muna kami sa labas. Nagbihis pa kasi sina Diah. We were with Ate April. Carol was trying to contact Aileen but she decided to turn-off her cel! So na-vibes nnaming nagalit talaga siya. Later on, we knew from Tita Belen and Diah that Aileen was already in the gym even before we arrived. Ang paalam ni Aileen kay Tita Belen, magc-CR lang daw siya pero nawala bigla. So naisip naming alam ni Aileen ang katotohanang nandun talaga si Ate Flo sa gym (dahil nandun din siya pero hindi lang siya nagpakita). Yun siguro ang rason ng pagka-inis niya -- I guess Ate Flo just poked a joke at a wrong time.

    Ate Flo went ahead. May trabaho pa kasi siya ng 5pm. I was left with Carol and the whole Arribas. While walking, Diah happened to ask about my scholarship. So yun, kantyaw at lokohan ang inabot ko hehe. Kakahiya, kasi alam din pala nung iba. >.< Anyways, a coy incident happened as we went down the overpass. Guess what, napigtas yung strap ng sandals ko!!! Waaah. Hindi lang isa, pair pa! I was so wrong that I wore an oldie sandals, to think that I would walk for a long time. Because of my rush this morning, I failed to think on other things. I mean, it may be as simple as a sandal, but still it counts. It really caught me shy after the incident. It had occurred in a public place! Waah. Actually muntik pa akong malaglag sa pagbaba, kasi na-off balance talaga ako. Buti na lang nakahawak ako kay Carol. Grabe. At buti rin, may dalang tsinelas si Carol! Perhaps I would walk barefooted then. What a bashful moment.

    Sumakay kami ng bus papuntang SM Manila. Si Carol na may pagkukusa, nilibre niya ulit kaming lahat sa pamasahe. =p Pagbaba sa SM, umuna na yung iba. Kumain muna kami nina Bang, Diah at Carol sa Mcdo. So yun, tamang kuwentuhan para sa tamang oras. Nun lang ulit kami nag-usap nang harapan ni Diah kaya siguro na-open yung topic kay Ate Ging. Ngayon lang din nalaman ni Bang. Ayoko na sanang ikuwento pa ulit kaso siguro, may mga panahong kailangan talagang ibalik yung dating pangyayari para maintindihan ng kasalukuyang pangyayari.

    Past 4:30pm, we separated ways. Diah and Bang had to go to San Pedro pa. Sumabay ako kay Carol hanggang sa UST. Sinamahan ko pa kasi siya sa UST Hospital dahil na-confine yung kuya niya. Umuwi ako ng bahay nang medyo basa sa ambon. At saan ka pa, sumasakit yung left ankle ko. Siguro dahil sa muntikang pagkahulog ko sa overpass. What a day.

x`cez: Sir Nicky contacted us already to submit our resumé tomorrow in UST. Sana mabilis lang. Gusto ko munang magpahinga sa bahay dahil sunud-sunod ang paglabas ko.

Only time will tell.

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May 15 2006 | Monday | 10:06pm

"RAGS TO RICHES"

    Basahang naging carpet. Basurang naging debuho. Batong naging pera. Gaano man kaliit ang isang bagay, simple man ang pinagmulan, maaari kang dalhin sa kakaibang alapaap.

Pulubing Shelly to Maperang Shelly

    I woke up early this morning. I was with Kc as we went back to our former school, STC again. Well, this time, we really had an important purpose for going there. Nagkaroon kasi kami ng instant kumikitang kabuhayan, salamat kay Franz. Last night, Franz called me up to ask for my old 4th year high school books which she wanted to avail with a half-price cut off. So I took the whole night, rummaging our bookcase to look for books which I might wanted to sell. Kc also decided to sell some of her sister's books to Karla, Franz' cousin who's an incoming 4th year student too.

    I met up with Kc at Mcdonald's Retiro. Kumain muna ako ng umagahan. Afterwards, we took a tricycle to STC which somehow had let me rekindle on my past. It was the way we used to route STC during our high school days. >.< So anyways, we entered Gate 1 and Franz welcomed us with a smile. Right away, we started to check the books. Dun kami sa Gate 1 bench naupo -- ang paborito naming tambayan ni Kc noonn. At dahil nakapag-recharge talaga ko, nagsimula na akong mangulit. Napag-tripan ko talagang guluhin yung pagco-compute nina Franz, Kc at Karla. Haha. Tawang-tawa naman sa akin Franz. Minsan pa niyang nabanggit na para akong si Ma'am Gino (Filipino teacher sa STC na dating favorite no Franz hehe!) kung gumalaw nun. Adek.

    Di ko talaga akalaing malaki-laki rin ang kikitain ko. Isipin mo naman, mga librong nakatambak lang sa bahay, puwedeng maging ginto pala. Sakto pa sa panahong namumulubi ako ngayon. It's a good feeling to have an extra cash. In fact right now, I have countless plans on what to do with my money. Haha. Besides earning money in STC, it also gave me the chance to meet good old pals. Odessa was there, who happily greeted me. Jax too, who was even joking how come I seemed snobbish. =p Later on, we decided to tour around campus. Rar, and it really gave me goose bumps once more. We sat for a long time along the shaded path, where we could widely view the whole high school building. Sa pagsabay ng simoy ng hangin, sumabay ang pagduyan ng mga alaala. Marami na ulit napag-kuwentuhan, ang sarap ng usapan.

    Around 11:30am, we decided to go home already. As I arrived home, I never thought that more unique events would come my way.

From Journ Stud to Philippine Daily Inquirer Scholar

    Saktong pagkapasok ko ng bahay, tinawag ako ni Schenly dahil may phone call para sa akin. As I answered, I got surprised that it was a phone call from UST. It was Sir Nicky, the Comm Arts Coordinator. Initially, my mind was blurred how come he called me but as I thought, it was an urgent call. So he went on talking and slowly, I started to grasp that I was chosen to be a scholar since I've been getting good grades for the past semesters. Nagulat ako nang sabihin niyang "..kasi kinukuha kang scholar ng Philippine Daily Inquirer, sayang naman at dalawang taon din yun." Grabe talaga. Maya-maya, pinasa ni Sir Nicky yung phone kay Ma'am Anonas (my Finance prof) to explain further. Pero sa totoo lang, wala na kong maintindihan dahil parang lutang na ko langit, haha! Tinanong niya kung anong contact number ni Djhay (my classmate), kasi napili din siyang scholar. So lalo nanaman akong nagulantang kasi si Djhay yung makakasama ko, ang top 1 sa buong Journalism. Sino ba naman ako sa kuko ng kurso namin. Tsk.

    I was requested to go to UST. Luckily, I was available and so as Djhay who just arrived from Zambales. We met at the AB Pavilion around 1pm. Teejay was also there, who happened to be with Djhay to look for an apartment afterwards. Kristine, with a new outlook, passed by us too. May debate competition pala siya kaya nandun din. Minutes later, Djhay and I decided to enter AB building already. We were requested by Sir Nicky to enter the faculty room.

    Sir Nicky had been nice to us. He never became my professor yet but I guess right now, I will be wanting him. As we sat, he started to explain the Philippine Daily Inquirer offer. Actually, it was an address to Dr. Ariola (the Media Studies head) but since she's out of the country, Sir Nicky took notice of the PDI memo. He handed with us the letter from PDI. Basahin daw muna namin. So yun, sabay kaming nagbasa ni Djhay. Talaga naman, habang patuloy ang pagbabasa, napapa-palo na lang kami ni Djhay sa isa't isa! Nakakaloka kasi yung sulat. The letter says that PDI is giving its annual offer to three selected students only who are incoming juniors, taking up media-related studies. The scholarship covers full payment of tuition and other school fees for two years (3rd & 4th year), 2,000php expenditure for books and a monthly stipend of 1,000php! Provided that I must maintain an average not below 1.75 and no grade below 2.0. Also, I must pass the written exam, oral interview, medical test and IQ test by PDI. Mas lalo pa kong naloka sa mga sumunod na nakasulat. Kapalit ng pagsagot nila sa pag-aaral ko, magta-trabaho ako ng isang buwan para sa Philippine Daily Inquirer! WAAAAAH talaga. I guess it's every Journalism student's dream to work in the prestigious print. Dagdag pa nun, puwede ma-credit ang pagta-trabahong yun sa required hours ng OJT. Agad-agad kong naisip na bawas hassle yun pagdating ng pag-apply sa OJT kasi may kompanya na ako agad! OJT ka pa lang, may sweldo ka na! >.< At ang pinaka-nakakaloka diyan, after graduation, Philippine Daily Inquirer will require me to work in their company for one year! Mainstay shall depend on the performance. Anupa't anuman, kasiguruhan na yun pagdating ng graduation! Sa hirap ng paghahanap ng trabaho ngayon, mahirap yun pakawalan! At naman, Philippine Daily Inquirer yun!!! Waah. @.@

    After reading, Sir Nicky told us that we must prepare our resumé already and be prepared for PDI's call for interview any time. With that, thoughts kept on flowing in my head. I really can't believe it. I guess it's a one-shot fate which I must not let go of this time. Ngayon ko na napapagtanto kung bakit nawala yung job opportunity ko sa Vocativ, kung bakit patuloy ang pagka-delay ng trip ko sa Cebu, at kung bakit di natuloy yung lakad namin ni Ate Flo kanina. Ito siguro ang rason. Naramdaman kong para sa akin talaga ito. Para sa isang Shelly na gustong may marating. Para sa isang Shelly na desididong maging Journalist.

    Perhaps if not because of my patience in studying, I will not be able to grab the opportunity. Now I realize how important it is to take note of every activity that you learn in school. Don't mind if you start from rags, sooner or later, it may come out as riches. We knew from Sir Nicky that we got recommended by Sir Esguerra (my recent Journalism prof). It's an honor naman. Magaling kasing professor si Sir Esguerra, kilalang writer pa ng PDI. I guess he had seen my potentials as a writer, as a hard-working future journalist. >.< Sinong mag-aakalang yung mga simpleng exercises ng "media are", "the press is" o di kaya yung mga "Johanna Torpe articles" ang magiging susi para makita yung kakayahan kong magsulat. Grabe talaga.

    I went home right away. I was trying to contact my mom in Batangas but the line was cut. She called on my cellphone instead. So yun, kinuwento ko lahat. Tuwang-tuwa siya sa narinig at napapaiyak na daw siya >.< Alam kong sobrang makakatulong ako sa nanay ko dahil wala na siyang po-problemahin sa tuition ko. Bukod pa dun, may allowance. Family's pride na rin yun kung makakapagsulat na ako agad sa PDI. Mababawasan na ang pagiging pabigat ko at alam kong proud sa akin ang family ko -- at yun ang gustung-gusto kong mangyari. I cried after the conversation. I was so thankful. And I hope that God will really give me this break. I'll do my best, really. This is it.

It's not good to hate all roses because you got pricked by one thorn; to give up on dreams because one didn't come true; to lose faith in prayers because one wasn't answered; to give up on your efforts because one of them failed; to throw away your chances to be happy because you didn't succeed on the first attempt. Go on with life and never give up! God gives unique opportunities that you must always take hold of.

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May 13 2006 | Saturday | 11:15pm

"THE WHIRLS AND TWIRLS"

    It has been an all-day stormy Saturday. Typhoon Caloy is currently spoiling the summer heat. But instead of blending with the lethargic day at home. I chose to go on a sweater and umbrella. As promised to Ate Cherry, I'll watch all her games no matter what. Hehe.

    A twirling entry by Kristine had come about on our day. Suddenly, she decided to come with us alone since Ate Cy chose to stay at home to prepare for her birthday celebration. So Kristine even arrived too early that Karol had to leave their house early as well. Na-vibes ko ng marami pang kakaibang magaganap dahil kasama si Kristine, a.k.a Kulet. Haha.

    Due to unstoppable rain which had caused traffic in Recto, I was a bit late again. Buti na lang na-late din si Ate Flo. Hinintay kami nina Karol at Kristine sa Katipunan Station. So yun, tumambay muna kami sa Mini Stop (in Katipunan) para kumain. At talagang nag-recharge ako ng powers.

    As we arrived ADMU gym, Ate Cherry had seen us right away. She waved on us from afar, while warming up. What can I say, as days go by, I feel like the more we get close to her, not just because she's Ate Flo's favorite player but in deed, she's a very lovely friend. She would always wear a smile, just to show how happy she was that we were there. So anyways, the first game was Adamson vs. Ateneo. Nung unang set, okay pa eh. I was even at the top of my lungs, laughing out loud for our crazy chants. =p Paano kasi, absent yung AdU Pep! Siguro binagyo. Haha. Wala tuloy katunggaling tambol yung ADMU Pep. Kaya naisipan na lang naming gumawa ng sariling cheers. Grabe talaga, mangiyak-ngiyak ako sa kakatawa dahil na rin sa kakulitan nina Ate Flo at Karol. =p How I loved to be with them especially when it's okrayan time. Hahaha!

    Later on, it seemed that the game's steam was gone. Just like the cold weather, the ADMU team had gone bitter. Pumangit yung buong laro kasi napikon yung coach ng Ateneo, tinamad tuloy maglaro yung kopunan niya. Muntik pang mapalabas si Gepeula (ADMU coach), kasi inaway pati yung 1st referee kaya naglabas na ng nag-yellow card. Tsk. It felt like the game got oh-so boring when ADMU players lose their focus. Too bad. What happened was that there was a once bad call on Ateneo side which Gepuela had beg to disagree. I think it was on a lifting violation. On my opinion, medyo OA naman kasi yung pagrereklamo ng ADMU coach. Parang katapusan na ng mundo kung magalit siya (haha). In fact, yung mga players nga ng ADMU pumayag ng palampasin yung bad call pero tuloy pa rin yung paninigaw ng kumukulong coach. So yun, nasunog tuloy ang buong team. Kawawang mga ADMU spikers. A point was given in favor of AdU (as a consequence for the offense) which had led to the first-set win of Ate Cherry's team. Nagtuluy-tuloy ang pagkalamig ng ADMU, tatlong sets lang ang laro. Ang aga natapos.

    After the game, it felt more flattering when Ate Cherry even approached our place to drop a hi. So yun, siyempre si Ate Flo ang maraming naikwento dahil kakarating lang ni Lani Misalucha. Magdi-dinner dapat kami kasama si Ate Cherry kaso kalaunan naisip naming wala pala kaming sariling pera! Haha. Pagbalik ni Ate Cherry from the dug out, dun muna kami naupo sa taas. Eh nandun din pala yung asawa ni Ate Cherry na matiyaga siyang hinihintay. It was such a funny incident as Ate Cherry went to us again and we were introduced to Kuya Henry (a.k.a Papi. Haha!). Wala lang, natutuwa kasi kami sa asawa niya dahil bukod sa gwapo, nakakatunaw mag-smile, e mabait pa! LOLZ. Nahihiya talaga kami. So sinabi na lang namin kay Ate Cherry na next time na lang kami mag-dinner. Baka kasi may pupuntahan pa din sila. Grabe. Naisip ko tuloy na sana, kapag nagka-asawa ako, ganun ka-ideal man. Haha. Brrrr.

    While waiting for the 2nd game, Karol and I accompanied Ate Flo at National Bookstore to buy some stuffs. We were frigidly walking. My hands were in my pockets. My feet were on an endless shiver. Lumamig ang panahon sa paglalim ng gabi. In the bookstore, I happened to bump at Ms. Mhay. Well, she's a former STC Guidance Counselor but she had never handled me. I just got to know her through Ate Cherie (yung guidance counselor ko nun) and Franz (who became her student). When I saw her, I greeted her right away. I even tapped her shoulder because I really got surprised. But suddenly, I felt like she treated our sudden acquaintance as cold. Parang ang yabang pa nga ng mga salita niya eh. Tinanong niya kung bakit ako nandun, taga-Ateneo na daw ba ko. But I guess I need not to spoil my happy day, I just gleefully replied that I'm still in UST and I was just watching V-league. I walked away as I caught up with my buddies. With that, I realized something: Siguro ganun lang talaga kapag lumilipas ang panahon -- lumalamig ang minsang masayang samahan.

    Pagbalik sa gym, UE-Lyceum game na. Sa totoo lang eh medyo boring yung laro. Naaliw na lang ako sa mga services at running spikes ni Beverly Boto (#13 of Lyceum) dahil parang si Ate Rox kung gumalaw! Haha. Napagkatuwaan din pala naming mag-lettering at mag-drawing sa cartolina. Banner sana yun ng Lyceum pero dahil "na-sobrahan sa ganda", eh nahiya ng itaas nina Karol. Tawa talaga ko nang tawa nung pipicturan na yung obra namin. =p Adek.

    The game ended in 3 flashy sets. We waited for a while for Kristine's supposed-to-be accompany to Ate Cy's place. It was Lyceum's setter, Glenda. She's Ate Cy's friend. Sasabay sana si Kristine kay Glenda pero nang mag-usap sila after game, hindi pala puwede si Glenda. At sabi na nga ba, may mangyayari nanamang kakaiba dahil kay Kulet. Wala na tuloy kasabay si Kristine papunta kina Ate Cy. Hindi rin naman siya puwedeng umuwi, dahil ang paalam sa kanila eh mag-oovernight siya dun. So Kristine got paranoid a bit. She called Ate Cy right away. That was when Ate Flo, Karol and I started to murmur about Kristine. Pasaway na naman kasi. Hindi niya sinigurado kung sasama ba talaga si Glenda sa kanya. So a plan came out from Kristine that she would just spend the night at my place. I disagreed. It's not that I don't welcome her but rather,  I just want Kristine to learn her lessons. She may have gone to Ate Cy's place earlier but she chose to watch V-league until it had become late at night. She gambled whether she would have an accompany or not. Lagi siyang umaasa sa iba. Di naman sa lahat ng pagkakataon, may malamig na pagsalo. Kailangan niyang matutunan kung paano harapin yung mga desisyong pinag-gagawa niya. Hinatid lang namin siya sa LRT2 Station. Anyway Ate Cy would meet with her at EDSA LRT1 Station.

    So the three of us took the usual route home. Man, I really got tired again. Besides tiresome from laughing and shouting, the chilly day had given me muscle pains. What a whirling and twirling day in deed. I have been ignoring all calls as I arrived home. In fact Ayna called me up but I hung up right away. Franz called but I didn't accept the call. Perhaps I'm just choosing to be a cold phone call recipient right now. Bukas na lang ako babawi sa kanila. Hehe.

x`cez: TropaPeepz day tomorrow. One year ago na pala. And yeah, Mother's Day din bukas. Cool.

When you feel the coldness of my presence, just think about the balmy days that we once shared.

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May 12 2006 | Friday | 08:44pm

"SECRETS"

    I just arrived from Batangas. Since Monday I was there. I really had a great time with my relatives.

    Tuesday afternoon, we attended Tito Celso's interment. At first, a mass was held for him in Mataasnakahoy Church. On the spot I was assigned to be a commentator. So okay lang naman. My relatives expected such good delivery from me since I'm taking Journalism Major which is somewhat, a unique course in the family. Hehe. Karamihan kasi sa lahi namin, Science-related ang course.

    After mass, the casket was then blessed and we went our way to the burial place. I decided to walk with several cousins on the way. Anyway it was just nearby and I was able to mind off the sun's blistering heat. Thanks to my cousins' series of stories. Hehe. So yun, pagdating dun, namaalam na kaming lahat kay Tito Celso. Muntik na rin akong mapaiyak nung makita kong humahagulgol si Ronald (the 3rd child). Masayahin kasi yun, bihira ko lang makitang malungkot kaya siguro medyo nadala ako. And somehow I was reminded when my dad passed away. I knew such feeling of losing a father. You may mend the pain but you'll never get over. That's how it hurts. Masuwerte pa nga siguro sina Ronald kasi medyo matanda na sila nang mawalan ng ama. Ako, grade 6 pa lang ako nun. Walang kamuwang-muwang.

    The next days spent in Batangas was kinda usual na lang. It was either I played with Kaykay or I watch TV. Ganun lang ka-simple ang buhay dun. Nag-mamall ako minsan pero para lang mag-internet. Mas gusto ko pang tumambay lang sa labas ng bahay at makipag-kuwentuhan sa kung sinu-sino. Sa magjue-jueteng, sa tindera ng sari-sari store. Haha. Minsan busy ako sa pagtetext. By the way, Jocelyn texted me last time and said sorry. Kinausap na siguro siya ni Ate Rox tungkol sa isyu. So things got settled somehow. I just asked a favor from Jocelyn that please don't text me anymore. Di naman sa ayaw ko siya ka-text (wushuu), pero para maiwasan na rin yung di pagkakaunawaan sa text messages. The medium may be an immediate source for communication but sometimes, it can lead to misinterpretations due to absences of voice and visibility of the people speaking with each other.

    Speaking of misunderstandings, I also had one with Ate Flo two days ago. Well, it was just minimal but somehow it mattered to me. Now I realized that to some extent, secrets among or between friends can be a disadvantage. Well here's what went off.

    I happened to reveal to her some of my honest observations about her attitude. Biglaan, kasi may nasabi siya tungkol sa ibang tao na parang di ko na nagustuhan. Nasabi ko din tuloy na baka kapag dumating yung panahong siya naman ang magalit sa akin, ganun na rin ang sasabihin niya tungkol sa akin. So yun, I was just concerned that conflicts might burst in the latter era and I wanted to give an immediate mediation. But I guess she misinterpreted what I mean. The day went on that she was so cold to me. She hardly text messaged me. A while ago, I decided to call her up since I arrived in Manila already. Pinag-usapan naman namin. Mahabang diskusyunan. Muntik na rin talaga kong maiyak sa pag-uusap na yun. I realized how Ate Flo has been treating me as a best friend within the tropa. Kaya siguro ganun na rin lang ang pagsasabi niya ng mga sikreto sa akin. Pero ayoko din kasing nahahati yung magkakaibigan sa dala-dalawa o mangilan-ngilan lang at nagtataguan ng sikreto. I told Ate Flo that I'm trying to be objective among friends. That's why with all my effort, I make things possible so as to combine friends and don't let clashes occur. My college buddies know this perspective of mine in friendship. This had been an issue on us too. Likewise I want it to implement into another group.

    Okay na naman kami. Nauwi din sa maayos na usapan ang lahat. Siguro pasalamat din ako kay Lani Misalucha (na dumating ngayon sa Pinas at super idol ni Ate Flo) at madali kong napalambot si Ate Flo. Hehe. =p

The best test among friends are trials and hardships.

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May 07 2006 | Sunday | *12:00am

"FAN"

    Words have to much to say for it can go a long way. Sometimes it can lead to conflicts but at the same manner, words are too powerful to break despairs and repair relationships.

* Note: I have no intentions of putting a negative color on some people involved in this story. I'm not repositioning the impression of my readers and so I prefer that this entry be taken as a mere expression of my boundless thoughts.

JUST A FLASHBACK..

    Weeks ago, during the V-league opening, we happened to hangout with Ate Ging since she also watched the game. Sabay-sabay kaming umuwi kasi pareho din naman ng ruta. Sa Fx, nakagkuwentuhan kami. So yun, tinanong niya kung saan na kami papunta nang gabing yun. Sumagot naman kami at saka binalik yung tanong para siya naman ang magkuwento. Casual talk. So she mentioned that she had to sleep early since she would have a trip the next day. She said, "Dadalaw kasi kami sa mga fans namin from San Pablo". Ahead of which, I had the idea that some fans from San Pablo had invited RP players. Di ko lang sigurado kung sila nga ba talaga yun. Marami namang tao sa San Pablo di ba. Simply because, Jocelyn (one from San Pablo), has been texting me since then. I met her through Aiza, whom I met via Friendster.

    As I expected, days later, Jocelyn texted me to tell about their outing. So okay, I listened -- just the way I've done from past stories that she had swanked to me. I just got surprised when suddenly, her tone turned negatively as she replied from what I text messaged. Normal at casual naman yung pagkakasabi ko, "Oo nga daw eh, sabi ni Ate Ging dadalaw sila sa fans from San Pablo. So siguro, kayo na nga yun." I just made a confirmation (since I wasn't sure nga kung sila nga yun dahil wala namang pangalang nasabi si Ate Ging). I just repeated what Ate Ging had exactly told us. Jocelyn replied to me affirmatively, saying that the RP players don't treat them as 'fans' anymore. So okay, I just ignored it, It's her opinion. I didn't reply anymore.

    Days passed. I never thought the San Pablo people would really treat my statement as a big deal! Jocelyn texted me again. At first, she was just telling me that they were in Agoncillo and the rest of the RP players were with them. As my way of reply to her story, I just poked a joke, saying that: "Eh wala naman si Ate Rox dyan, nyakerz". Well, she knows that Ate Rox is my favorite so I thought it would be a normal acceptance of my joke. She then replied, "Kung wala namang work ang Ate Rox, nandito din yun for sure". Honestly, dun na talaga ako nagsimulang mayabangan sa kanya. Masyadong presko kasi. I replied, "And I guess it would take a miracle for Ate Rox to be there since she's busy." Totoo naman eh -- na busy talaga si Ate Rox sa trabaho niya kaya di siya nakakasama sa kahit anong lakad. Nainis ako lalo nang humirit pa ng, "We can make miracles. Hehe."

    Still, I tried not to create a flame. I didn't reply. Minutes later, she started to message me again. This time, she opened the issue on that 'fan' thingy which I guess, has been a big matter for their camp. I knew from Jocelyn's forwarded message (which came from Ate Ging, sent for her) that they hated Ate Ging just because she called them as 'fan'. So of course, as an initial reaction, Ate Ging said sorry to San Pablo people. Siyempre, taga-suporta niya yun eh. Sa laki ng grupong yun, mahirap nga sigurong bitiwan kasi grabe kung sumuporta. Na-disappoint lang ako kay Ate Ging kasi may dinagdag pa siyang ganito, "Hayaan mo na, baka inggit lang sina Shelly kasi wala akong time sa kanila." That was when I knew that Jocelyn had a double purpose of forwarding the message. I mean, why does she have to forward it to me, considering that it was quite offensive on my part? I guess Ate Ging didn't also expect that her messages would be forwarded.

    Really, I got hurt from what Ate Ging had texted. Para kasing lumalabas, all these times eh plastikan lang pala. Sa lahat lahat pa ng players na magsasabi nun, eh yung ka-schoolmate ko pa. Naintindihan ko naman yung paunang rason ng pagsasabi niya nun -- para nga ma-convince na niyang huwag ng magalit ang San Pablo sa kanya. Pero, kailangan pa bang sabihin yun? Pampalubag sa San Pablo? Ang OA naman. Hindi ko ma-assure kung may halong totohanan ba yung pakiramdam niya na naiinggit lang yun barkada ko. Dahil sa totoo lang, hindi. Nakakasama lang naman namin si Ate Ging kasi nagkakataong nandun din siya sa iisang venue. Tulad nun, nanood din siya ng laro. Bihira namin siyang niyayaya, kaya bakit dapat mainggit. Kahit isa o dalawang beses lang namin siya nayayaya, never ko yun ginawang hinanakit kay Ate Ging. Okay lang talaga, kasi siguro sa una't sapul, hindi naman siya yung favorite ko sa volleyball. Si Ate Rox. Di ko naiwasan, sumama talaga ang loob ko kay Ate Ging.

    Kung sunud-sunod kang hihiritan, minsan nakaka-aburido na rin. Mabait ako sa ibang fans ng volleyball pero kung halatang may ibang purpose talaga ang pakikipagkaibigan, siguro kailangan ko na ring magsalita. Matagal na kasi akong pinapayabangan. Hindi ko yun kailangan kaya bakit patuloy ko pa ring tatanggapin. They've pushed my limits. So I replied, telling her that how come it's so big deal for them. What's wrong with being a fan by the way? It's a general term. And as I first saw them, for me they really appear as a fan -- with all the trampolines and the banners, the raucous cheers and screams for the UST team. Whichever term or word you use, it's still boils down to the thought that you're supporting someone or a team. Yun naman ang mahalaga di ba. I became real to myself, I told her that they're starting to piss me off. Sino ba namang hindi. Tsk. Sinabi niyang naiinis din siya sa akin. So okay, quits. I was wrong when I initially thought that we would be good friends. Still, I tried to be down-to-earth, I asked her what's wrong and we'll talk. But I guess she's too narrow to confront with me.

    I was in Batangas when the incident happened. I had no one to speak with. Honestly, I really felt bad that there had been a conflict. I consulted with myself. Somehow the issue had saddened me because going back to my real purpose in entering V-league, I involved myself because I want to promote Philippine Volleyball. As simple as that. It's in line with my Journalism goal. I deliver authentic information as much as I can. I help people to make them realize that volleyball is a good sport. Siguro bonus na lang nagkaroon ako ng mga kaibigang players. Sa nangyaring yun, para kasing ako pa ang na-dehado. Kung sino pang tumutulong, siya pa yung inaaway. Malinis naman yung intensiyon, binibigyang-kulay na masama ako. Pangit di ba.

    Nag-long distance call ako kay Ate Flo dahil di ko talaga kayang di i-express yung disappointments. Diah started to text message me too, checking if I was still fine. At grabehan, pamatay sa advice kung magbigay si Diah. Naiyak talaga ko sa mga sinabi niya. She's one true friend in deed. Wala akong masabi sa tibay ng friendship namin ngayon. Tinext ko din pala si Ate Ging, sinabi ko lahat ng nararamdaman ko. Sa totoo lang, medyo di pa rin ako nakumbinsi sa pag-sosorry niya't lahat kasi di siya nagpaliwanag kung bakit niya talaga sinabi yun. Sa haba ng mga sinabi ko, ang konti lang ng nasabi niya.

    Na-feel kong di pa rin ako okay. Naisip ko bigla si Ate Rox. Madalas kasi, kapag may problema ako, sinasabi ko sa kanya. But at that time, I was in doubt of telling it to her. I know she has been very busy with her job. I've also thought that the issue seems uninvolved to her. Still, I gambled the chance to keep in touch her. I texted her late at night. I just got surprised, that she replied right away. So I told her the story. She then told me that she would call me the next day so that we can talk further. Na-touch talaga ko. Perhaps this incident had become a way for me to realize that Ate Rox is still there for me. Nothing's change, which I thought there was. Despite all, she had never let me down. >.<

    The next day, around 12:30pm, she really called me up on my cel. Nakakahiya man kasi alam kong lunch break niya yun pero nagbigay  talaga siya ng oras para kausapin ako. So yun, kinuwento ko ulit yung nangyari. It was so obvious of me as a furious gal at the moment, since I had spoken straight English to Ate Rox. Haha. Just a note, whenever I'm pressured, it's involuntary for me to speak in English. My close friends know that. So anyways, I felt much better through that conversation. Really. At least, someone (like Ate Rox) who's a friend of both Ate Ging and San Pablo fans knew my side. Mahirap kasing hindi naririnig yung panig mo. Paano na lang kung maling impresyon na lang ang nakakarating? Ang pangit.

    Dumaan yung mga araw na medyo masama pa rin ang loob ko kay Ate Ging. Yung inis ko sa mga taga-San Pablo, kaya ko namang di alalahanin yun eh. Sino ba sila, tsk. Inisip ko lang talaga yung sa amin ni Ate Ging. Sayang kasi yung samahan. Maski di pa ganung katagal, sayang pa din. Alam kong magkakasalubong kami parati, kesyo sa UST o sa panonood ng V-league, at mabigat sa loob na may tinatagong inis.

****

WHAT HAPPENED TODAY..

    Fresh from Batangas, I watched V-league with Ate Flo, Kim, Aileen, Ana and her friend, BJ. Sobrang bangag talaga ako kanina kasi galing akong lamay. Namatay yung tito ko. Inatake siya sa puso habang nag-sswimming sa Lemery. Nagulat talaga kaming lahat. Para bang kailan lang eh nakita ko yung tito kong tuwang-tuwa sa akin. So yun, nakiramay talaga ko. Matagal kasing nag-service sa akin yung tito ko. Driver ko siya nung grade school pa ako. Lagi pa kong pinagluluto. Pero siguro nga, hanggang dun na lang ang buhay niya. May rason ang Diyos. Sumukli na lang ako sa pamamagitan ng lamay. Anyway sobrang saya naman. Mala-reunion ang dating. Inom-inom ng kapeng barako, kagat-kagat ng butong pakwan. Kulang na lang eh tumira ako dun. Haha. Na-enjoy ko ang pag-totong-its, sakla at mahjong sa gabi. At literal na wala talaga kong tulog.

    Still, I met with my friends here in Manila. Sumama muna ako pauwi. Besides, Ate Cherry had a game. Tuloy ang pag-promote ko sa volleyball. We hardly watched the first game (PCU-ADMU) and we rather went to the football field. Namasyal na lang kami. So yun, pagbalik namin, nagulat ako kasi nandun yung mommy ni Trisha (HS kabarkada) along with her daughter, Dana. Nakipag-kuwentuhan ako sandali. Maya-maya, si Anja naman yung nakita ko haha. HS blues talaga. =p She's playing for Ateneo but right now, she's not in the line-up. Pa-joke pa niyang sinabing di raw siya isinali. Haha. So yun, kamustahan at galing pala siyang States. Grabe, kaka-miss talaga ang high school.

    More unexpected people came in. What a coincidence, saktong nanoood din si Ate Ging. Grabe. Ate Flo happened to point where Ate Ging was seated. When we fetched Kim from the entrance, I think she had already seen me. but I chose not to greet her. Di pa diyan natapos ang lahat, nandun din pala sina Ate Rox! Walastik. Galing kasi silang EK, at naisipan lang nilang dumaan para manood. Sinong mag-aakalang mangyayari pa yun ngayon di ba. Ate Flo texted Ate Rox, saying that we saw her seated beside Ate Chelle. Sobrang natuwa talaga ko kasi nandun si Ate Rox pero na-vibes ko ng mapag-uusapan yung isyu kay Ate Ging. Nagreply si Ate Rox, tinatanong kung nandun din ba ko. Dagdag pa niya, kung nag-uusap na daw ba kami ni Ate Ging. So yun na nga, hot seat moment.

    As we watched the AdU-FEU game, we just got surprised when Ate Rox started to walk away from her place. Kakagulat kasi pumunta siya sa lugar namin. As she stopped in front of my seat, I reached for her to make beso2. How I missed her! I can't believe that she was there. Sa ka-busyhan niya kasi, mahirap siyang mahagilap. Kanina, kasama pa namin siya manood. Kakatuwa. >.< At first, she sat beside Ate Flo at the farthest right. Nagka-biruan muna silang tatlo nina Kim habang tahimik lang akong nanonood. Later on, nakipagpalit siya para tumabi sa akin.

    We talked, despite noisy environment. Too bad I was feeling cranky talaga. Bukod sa may problema na nga, eh wala akong katulog-tulog! I-try ko mang ngumiti dahil nandun na nga't kasama ko pa si Ate Rox, madalas napapasimangot na lang ako. Lalo pa nung inopen up na niya yung problema. Para kasing wala pa sa panahon para mag-usap kami ng harapan ni Ate Rox tungkol dun. But really, how I admired Ate Rox' thoughtfulness to act as a go-between. I mean, she did all means just to shoulder me up. She keeps on hearing my side and I know that if a time will come that somebody condemns me again, she'll speak out to defend the real me. Kaka-touch talaga. And how can I ever give back her exquisite coziness. >.<

    Ni-narrate ko ulit yung nangyari. Paulit-ulit na nga eh, kakasawa. Ate Rox shared with me what Ate Chelle had heard from San Pablo people. So now, they're hating me because I was too harsh (daw) in speaking due to the fact that I use the English language! Tsk. What can I say, they hardly know me. Kaya sinabi ko kay Ate Rox na sabihin sa kanilang natural lang sa aking nag-iingles. It's part of my routine. I have no bad intentions in using such. With regard to Ate Ging, I just restated what I told Ate Rox before -- kung bakit kailangan niyang sabihin yung 'naiinggit thing'. Wala pa ding nasagot si Ate Rox tungkol dun. Siguro nga, na kay Ate Ging lang talaga yung sagot.

    Too bad for AdU, they got beaten in four sets. When the game ended, Ate Rox had to say goodbye too. So yun, final hugs and then she went back to Ate Ging's place. She left me with a promise to fix things up. Kakausapin niya daw si Ate Ging. We were about to go home when Ate Flo and Kim decided to approach Ate Chelle. Nailang talaga ko kasi nga nandun si Ate Ging kaya tumayo na lang kami nina Ana at BJ sa malayu-layo. Pumunta pa ulit sa amin si Ate Rox, picturan at kuwentuhan sandali. Nabanggit niya yung USB na medyo nagagamit na niya. Hehe. So later on, Ate Rox went away again. That was the time when Ate Ging, to my surprise, approached us. She tapped me on the head and stared as if she was telling me something. So tahimik lang ako habang nasa harapan namin siya. Magulo pa rin talaga yung naiisip nang panahong yun.

    As we went outside, we saw Ate Cherry. Her kids were so cute especially Sweet who's so bibbo. So yun, kuwentuhan sandali. Nagkalokohan kasi nga nanood si Ate Rox. Haha. Soon, she bid goodbye since her husband and father were waiting in the car. Lumakad na rin kami. Tumambay muna kami sa Jolibee para mag-usap-usap tungkol nga sa mga nangyayari.

    For the Nth time, I told the story to Ana and Kim. Di pa kasi nila alam yung buong kuwento. Later on, we discussed about it. Ana was somehow defending for Ate Ging. So okay, I respected her opinion. But I believed that she hardly got my point. Hehe. I can't blame her, because anyway it's hard to put oneself into another shoe. It takes an identical experience for others to fully understand exactly what someone feels inside. Mas nasundan ko yung takbo ng advice ni Ate Flo. She told me to please let pass of my hatred to Ate Ging. Anyway a while ago, she approached us instead of ignoring that we were there. Kung para kay Ate Ging, paraan lang yun para mamlastik sa akin, nasa kanya na yun. So siguro kung magkikita kami ni Ate Ging, sibil na lang. Di na tulad ng dati. I guess it will take a long time for things to be the same again between us. As said, the damage has been done. When someone had broken my trust, it's hard to repair. Bukod pa dun, nabanggit ni Ate Flo yung effort ni Ate Rox para ayusin yung sitwasyon. Talaga naman, wala din siyang masabi. Ako na lang siguro ang magpapababa ng ere para man lang sa effort ni Ate Rox. Kung malalaman kasi ni Ate Rox na okay na kami ni Ate Ging, siyempre matutuwa yun dahil alam niyang nakatulong talaga siya. Oo nga naman. Yung tungkol naman sa San Pablo, siguro nasa sa kanila na din yun. Karmic residue let rule. Anyway right now I know that Ate Rox is there on my behalf. So yun, pagkatapos ng mahabang usapan, okay na. I'm trying to close the issue.

    Lessons learned and many things got revealed. Even if this issue had turned me into nuts, I'm thankful somehow. It made me strong as a person; that what pushes you down, is what makes you go up. It made me realize that a single word can launch a thousand upshots. You cannot please everybody but what matters most is that you side the truth. Good intentions are the nutshells. It's important that for every move, you think about the real purpose. In deed, my vocation as a journalist got tested. I realized that I must hold unto my freedom of telling the truth. Never let emotions overcome. Many people may hate me for my words, for my acts. Many people may misunderstand and misjudge me. But as long as I stick with the truth, I guess I have nothing to fear. It had kept me to disclose my good and clean intentions. It also made me realize the presence of real friends. There may be those who seldom make themselves present, but are still there. It's like gas, we cannot see it but it does exist. Real friends really come in time, just when you needed them the most. It doesn't count whichever term we call from one another. A fan or a supporter, a friend or a best friend, still it's all about having each other. Masyadong mababaw kung basehan lang ng pagkakaibigan ang tawagan sa isa't isa. Hindi ako mangongolekta ng kaibigan para lang tawagin nila akong 'friend ako ni Shelly' o 'special sa akin si Shelly'. Anu pa't anu man, mas pinahahalagahan ko siguro ang nagagawa ng isang kaibigan para sa akin. Mahirap maghanap ng tunay, pero sobrang ipagpapasalamat mo kapag nakahanap ka. Daig pa ang nanalo sa mahjungan o sa saklaan. =)

You are part of the puzzle of someone else's life. You may never know where you fit but others will fill the holes in their lives with pieces of you. So if you run out of reasons to live, remember that someone else's life may never be complete without you in it.

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May 01 2006 | Monday | *06:22am

"RECEIVES"

    Today's labor day. Today's a holiday. It's a receiving day for laborers. But ironically, it seems that instead of getting reimbursements, they're on streets right now. Labor groups in mass voyage are out to voice hindrances. I've been watching the news. Too bad for the country. In fact the security level for today is still on Red Alert. I guess it's one laborious Labor Day. Better yet, we should've not celebrated it anyway. Tsk.

    Despite the muddled scenario, I had my own day to labor with. I went to hangout with sporty mates. We watched another exciting game of Shakey's V-league. Here's my story.

    The sun was striking hard at noon. Nakisabay ako sa payong ni Ate Aileen na paalis din ng bahay. Mas pinili ko talagang umalis nang maaga, naaasar lang kasi ako sa bahay. Off I went around 1:30pm. By request din kasi yan ni Ate Flo, lagi daw kasi akong nale-late sa pagkikita. Haha. So anyways, as expected, I arrived early at the LRT 2 Station. I was ahead of Ate Flo at Gilmore Station. I waited for her there. Bago makatapos ng hakbang pababa, nasalubong ko na si Ate Flo. Kaya yun, umakyat na lang ulit ako. Haha. Naghanap lang ako ng ikakapagod. =p

    We met Aileen and Mimay at Katipunan Station. While waiting for them, we ate Shawarma at the nearby food stall. Yummy. So yun, kuwentuhan mode habang kumakain ng maanghang na Shawarma. Moments later, Aileen arrived. Buti kamo't nakapunta siya. Pinalitan niya kasi yung schedule niya sa call center. Ibang klase talaga kung manghatak ng kasama si Ate Flo. Haha. Meanwhile, Mimay was kinda lost at that time. It took a while for us to see each other. She was already at the station too but she couldn't find us. By the way, Mimay is Ate Flo's friend whom she met because of Lani Misalucha. I first met Mimay during Live Aids [the UPian play] which we recently watched as a tropa.

    We decided to take a tricycle to reach Ateneo. Hindi kaya ng powers namin yung init ng araw. As we arrived, the teams were just warming up. I bid sorry for Aileen because initially, I thought the first game was PCU-Lyceum [her fave team daw because of Dahlia haha]. Mali yung nabigay sa aking information, PCU-UE pala yung game. Hehe. So yun, naupo  kami sa dating puwesto [courtside] at saka nanood ng first game.

    Sumunod si Jean sa panonood. As she arrived, she then told me that Jen was also there at the gym. Well, Jen is our young chat mate in YM whom we got close because of volleyball too. She's a volleyball player at her own school. So along with Jean, we went to Jen's seating place to meet her. She was with her mom. She was kinda shy when I met her but still, we invited her to come and seat with the rest. Before going back to our place, I happened to see Bang and her family [mom, sister and other colleagues whom I hardly know] who were also watching. We scarcely talked to one another at that time. Kumaway at nag-ngitian lang kami. Siguro di ko lang feel na chumika pa kay Bang kasi pumapalya na yung laro ni Ate Amy nun. Hahaha.

    We got bored with the 1st game. It seemed that there was no power on every player's hits. Medyo naaliw na lang ako nang malaman kong nasa UE line-up na rin pala yung isa ko pang schoolmate! Ang galing pumalo at mag-block ni Gecca [#12 of UE]. Way back in STC, she was in deed a star player. She received series of recognition. She's a year ahead of me and during her time, she left a good standing for the STC team. Nakakatawa, kasi kung di pa sumigaw ng "Go Gecca' yung isang nanonood, di ko pa mare-realize na si Gecca na pala yun. Hehe.

    We went outside the gym to freshen up. Anyway we were getting bored. Along with Mimay, Ate Flo and Aileen, we roamed around ADMU campus. Tapos tumambay na lang kami sa may football field. Nag-picturan. Nagtawanan. Perfect moment to bond together. So we just went back when the 1st game was over. PCU won in 4 sets. Mas inabangan kasi namin yung 2nd game -- AdU vs. SSC.

    Luckily, Ate Cherry was able to play for AdU today. Since she's enlisted in Philippine Air Force, they're requested to stay in camp because of the Red Alert advisory. She thought that she won't be allowed to go out today [nukx, mala-Gege! Haha]. So yun, kaya ganun na lang ang pag-murder ng AdU team sa SSC. Haha! Tatlong sets lang. Actually errors were really seen at the side of SSC. Bad receives! Even their Thai player was contributing errors who must have rather earned points for the squad. Too bad for them. Too bad for Jinni who underwent a laborious game. In any team game, it's hard when only one moves for the rest. She may boost the team, but she  will never carry the whole team unless the others would contribute too. Basically that's what had happened to SSC today. Pangit talaga yung laro nila. On the other hand, AdU was awesome. Besides the usual Ate-Cherry-kills, other players were not shy to win. Masipag silang mag-dig talaga ng bola. Kaya siguro ganun na lang yung paghatak nila sa crowd. Pati yung women's basketball team nila eh nandun din, nanonood. Sana nga DLSU-AdU sa finals! Muwahaha. At nawa, matalo ang Lasalle. =p

    After the game, we approached Ate Cherry. We received such accommodation even though she was as if a celebrity, with all the photo shots running after her. We congratulated her. Nahihiya pang tawagin ni Ate Flo, ako na lang ang tumawag tuloy. Hehe. So yun, beso-beso, kumustahan [akala mo eh ang tagal di nagkita]. Lolz. Pinakilala pala namin sina Aileen at Mimay. Nun lang kasi nakita ni Ate Cherry yung dalawa. Nakakatuwa si Mimay, di namin inexpect ni Ate Flo na matutuwa siya nang ganun sa panonood ng volleyball. Wala kasing hilig yun nun sa sports, puro theater and singing lang. So I guess right now, Mimay will be an aspirant sporty mate too. Haha. We chatted with Ate Cherry for a while. Cool. She was even joking me how come I was in yellow whereas there's no UST. Hmp. Ipaalala pa daw ba. Hehe. Na-kuwento kong niyaya ni Ate Flo si Ate Rox na manood, kaso di pa rin daw siya pwede maski holiday. Grabehan. Banat na lang ni Ate Cherry, "Sobrang busy pa din ng lola mo, pero babawi yun". Natawa na lang kami pareho. Hehe. So after few talks, few poses, few jokes, we bid goodbye to Ate Cherry. Gusto nga sana niyang sumama sa pag-dinner namin kaso yun nga, Red Alert pa din. 

    Nag-dinner kami sandali sa Kenny Rogers. Man, we were all tired. I hardly eaten my meal. Medyo maaga pa naman kaya nakapag-LRT 2 pa kami. Sa bahay na lang natulog sina Ate Flo at Aileen. Wala na kasing shuttle para makauwi pa si Aileen. Mimay went down at Pureza station. In deed, I loved her cheery company. Pagbaba ng Recto station, nag-abang pa kami ng jeep. Pero dahil ang tagal, nag-taxi na lang kami. Kakapagod talaga.

    We reached home around 10pm. Nag-internet muna kami para magbasa-basa ng forum. After nun, umakyat na kami sa kwarto. Sound trip. Kuwentuhan trip. And what a day ender, Ate Flo received a suprising text message from Ate Rox! Nakakatuwa lang, kasi kinakamusta ako ni Ate Rox. >.< Auww, kaka-miss yung ideal sister ko.

It's better to give than to receive.

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