tRiZzZ ( :

A beginning ending.

2011-05-24T22:09:00.002+08:00

This is the last time i'll be writing in this blog.
This is the last chance i'll be looking back
On the sweetest lazy days
On the heartaches
On the days i owned the world
On the days the world owned me

From this day on im writing a song
Of love
Of faith
Of hope

But.
I have grown
Im moving forward
And it is just the perfect time
To unload my heavy burdens.

2011-04-08T15:28:00.000+08:00

a cat makes life fun

BE RIGHT BACK SOON!

2011-01-22T22:57:00.001+08:00

Hey http://tishtashy.blogspot.com! You know what, I missed you! Guess what, I have a great news! I'll be back soon. But let's deal with your makeover first, ok? I got millions of story to tell!

Tons of love!

Trish. (:

The trick to life

2009-07-08T21:25:00.004+08:00

Life, in nature, is full of uncertainties. You can never tell what will happen tomorrow on the basis of what just happened today. The best thing we could only do is hope and look forward to whatever tomorrow might bring. Everyday we take risks, and sometimes, these risks are left unnoticed. All decisions made-may it be major or minor decisions- are risks taken. We just don't know the impact it would create in our lives.

The trick is this: yes, we do live in a world of insecurities and doubts, and we are all vulnerable to all sorts of mistakes, no matter how loud your IQ test shouts how intelligent you are. But to be able to learn from these mistakes, that's the challenge to us. Life is a win-win situation. We might not get what we want. We might want to give up on problems we think inconceivable to human capabilities. But actually, when we fail, we acquire something. It is wisdom. Wisdom of learning from mistakes, and avoiding what could happen by simply recalling what happened from the past, and wisdom of intuition as to learning from second-hand experience. We might not get all our wishes granted, but we nourish our spirits with wisdom incomparable to anything.

Learning to say NO

2009-07-04T11:18:00.004+08:00

"No" is a word that must never be negotiated, because the person who chooses not to hear it is trying to control you… Declining to hear "no" is a signal that someone is either seeking control or refusing to relinquish it.

When you're trying to be good all along, when you're trying to reach out for friends when they need your help, sometimes, all you get is nothing but disappointment. It's not that you expect something in return. It's just that, when your trying to be nice and all, sometimes, those people whom you consider your friends- friends whom you entrust a part of you, if not your entire life- are also the one who makes you break your trust in them. I realized this when I lent a friend my scientific calculator just this week. I did not hesitate to let her borrow mine since I happen to have it with me and she looked like she needed it badly. Then last thursday, I was trying to contact her so that I could have my calculator back the following day because I have two classes which requires its use. God knows how many times I tried to call and text her. Not even a word I heard from her from that day on. Yesterday, I was very desperate. I called her again, but the beep says her line is busy. So I asked my other friend if she could call her. She called her, and guess what? My phone rang. We were both puzzled why my phone was ringing. CRAP. The friend whom I lent my scientific calculator diverted her calls to my phone. Meaning to say, she's really avoiding me. and I hate her for doing that. Im really disappointed. I'd be more cool if she tells honestly if she broke it or lost it. But no, she chose to reject all my phone calls and texts. A few hours later, that friend texted my other friend who called her. So I assume she really had no excuse that she cannot respond to my messages because obviously she can reply to my messages but she chose not to. And it aggravated my disappointment. Very disappointing. I lent her my calculator wholeheartedly, but why did she do that? Call me shallow, ok, but this isn't about the calculator. This is a matter of trust. Hell knows I'm trying to be a good friend to her.

The sad truth is, when you're being good, there are some people who could abuse your goodness. How many times had I been a victim of this fact, but I never learned because I want to help the people who need my aid. I guess my other friend is right, sometimes I have to say no. Think first of yourself. It's not bad to say no, especially when you're putting yourself to a difficult situation. Plus, saying yes to all favors will make the people dependent on you. It's also my fault why this happened.

I'm proud to be GC!

2009-06-27T02:34:00.006+08:00

I'm on my third week of being a sophomore student in college. A sophomore intending to obtain a bachelor's degree in Psychology and hoping to enter med school after graduating. Yes. 6 years na lang! hahaha, as if 6 years would only take a blink of an eye. I'm looking at it that way since I can't be studying in college my entire life, and decades of being away from school may bore me out. I want to seize every long quizzes, term papers, scowling professors and sudden errands in college. I love studying(ouch) , and i hope it would love me back. hahaha.

In PLM, we have this term which has a not-so-good connotation when heard. GC. or Grade Conscious. GC students, as defined by the students, are those who would do everything in order to get good grades. Those are the people who would study ahead of time, pass all requirements on time, won't allow anyone to copy their homeworks, and the people who won't get themselves involved in cheating. Apparently, being grade-conscious is defined by the students according to their advantage-meaning to say when you're being righteous and you don't act on thie favor, you are treated as a predator- a GV, or Grade Vulture, as they call it. An eyesore to most students with insecurities with their class standings. That's why when someone calls somebody a GC, expect an instant response that they're not.

All students are grade-conscious. We all intend to graduate on time to become productive citizens. We all aspire to ace all our classes, even though it seems impossible because we already have the idea about our capacities as a student. Merely cheating in class is just an implication that we are grade-conscious- we are afraid to get a grade of 5 and be the talk of everyone. We get irritated when we think one classmate is sucking up on our professors. We get disappointed when we get a grade lower than what we expect.

Being GC is not bad, it's a good thing, actually. It doesn't mean you don't allow others copy your work, it's about the fear of having a failing grade and the fear of being a liability rather than an asset. It's a good attitude for students to develop, so they are motivated to study harder and work harder on areas they find most difficult. It is very important to develop this kind of attitude because in the professional world, the competition is tight, and you have to establish yourself to become successful. Developing grade-consciousness is a starting point for us to train ourselves to become competitive. All successful professionals made it on top because they kept their grade-consciousness even beyond school.

So, when one calls you a GC, don't tell you're not because all students are GC. Rather, stand up and be proud of it. I'm one proud GC!

Strawberry swing...

2009-06-04T18:02:00.005+08:00

My clothes were soaking because of the rain, the lights went out, everyone was getting sick. What else could turn out bad, eh? But no, it didn't spoil my day. Yesterday was the best day ever. (: makes me wanna sing Strawberry Swing by Coldplay.

They were sitting
They were sitting on the strawberry swing
Every moment was so precious

They were sitting
They were talking under strawberry swing
Everybody was for fighting
Wouldn't wanna waste a thing

Cold, cold water bring me round
Now my feet won't touch the ground
Cold, cold water what ya say?
When it's such...
It's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day

I remember
We were walking up to strawberry swing
I can't wait until the morning
Wouldn't wanna change a thing

People moving all the time
Inside a perfectly straight line
Don't you wanna curve away?
When it's such...
It's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day

Now the sky could be blue
I don't mind
Without you it's a waste of time.

Could be blue
I don’t mind
Without you it’s a waste of time

Could be blue,
Could be grey
Without you I’m just miles away

Could be blue
I don’t mind
Without you it’s a waste of time

ta-ta for now. (:

Sweet Tweets @ Twitter

2009-05-27T00:34:00.007+08:00

Lately, I've been crazy about my tweeting. Haha! Since everybody has been talking about it, and I happen to have an account which was updated ages ago, I decided to check out what these people are talking about. Hey, I never knew it would be this fun! When I first checked out my twitter account-which was a year ago, if my memory serves me well- I thought it's going to be boring. I thought all I have to do is answer "what are you doing?" and do nothing else. When I rediscovered it (thanks to David Archuleta, I wouldn't have an interest on tweeting had I not known that he has a twitter account!), I found myself addicted to it! Now I'm stalking David Archie, of course, and my favorite band, Coldplay! Whoever made twitter is a genius! That's the only way I know I'm in contact with celebs I idolize- the real ones, of course. Cheers to twitter!

Here's the L&F of my Twitter account.

Want to stalk me? Follow me on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/tishtashy

hello blogging!

2009-05-01T21:08:00.002+08:00

wow. it's been months since i last visited my blog. And hell how I missed blogging! thanks to all those who visited, marked their presence and commented on my posts. Really thank you!

I'm back on blogging now. I really missed you all!

Sophomore na nga pala ako. Can you believe it? I'll be psyching minds in the future. Yes! Made it in CHD-BS Psychology. hahaha!

missed you all!

To the Guardians

2008-11-02T00:00:00.000+08:00

Hello grannies, grandpas, ate Nora and kuya Pao. How’s business up there? Have you met FPJ, Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino? Have they told you their stories? Life’s a bit rough down here. There were serious problems that come and go, issues left to be discussed and solved, and food scares busying the air waves. But don’t worry about us, we’re all fine and we haven’t had food with melamine nor formalin in it. I wrote this letter to report to you the things that had happened when you guys left. It was difficult for us to adjust to the mere fact that you are physically absent. We sobbed pails or tears to ease out the pain we felt when we knew you’re not coming back. I can’t explain how much pain we had suffered and how long it took us to pick ourselves up. I do not mean you guys had caused us so much pain when you left, it’s just that, we love you a lot, that’s why it has been a long way for us to recuperate from the days of dull.

When you left, there were changes, and there were also the things remained unchanged. Nanay, your house just got renovated; it stands out among the neighborhood for its cool green paint. And Tatay’s and Franz’s remains were moved to a close bone and ash repository near you. And you got another apo from kuya Ajjie, her name is Erica Skye, she looks like IC when she was at the same age. She is turning a year old in November. Kuya Ajjie, by the way, is planning to settle with Ate Joan, an officemate at the company he works in. Mom, Pops and Tita Rose are okay now. They forgot about the old age fights. Chinie and I are in the same university. I’m on my first year while she’s on her third year in Psychology. Mara graduated in elementary, she’s on her third year in high school. Francis got circumcised (hahaha, blimey, he had a hard time moving around the house.) Tita Olive, Tito Joel, and Joey finally migrated in Las Vegas. Joey has grown a lot, and Tita O mailed us-Joey is a straight A student in his school. He said he was lucky he knows how to speak Tagalog because he has Filipino classmates who can’t. Tita O’s house was intruded, and is still on the process of investigation (you know how slow the processes are here.)What else, ah, Ate Trins is getting married in March with his Muslim boyfriend Amir. What’s so cool is that they don’t have problems about their religious and cultural differences. I hope these don’t get in the way the moment they get married. So there you go. A lot has happened, right? But in all these momentous events, you guys are remembered. You all are a part of it.
We really miss you. I know death is a natural phenomenon, but we won’t let death burn the bridges of our love to you. The turn of the century was really difficult for us. But we thank you for guiding us always and for interceding for us. We love you.

Nanay, we love you very much. Mama is just very lucky to have you as her mother. She inherited your great cooking skills. By the way, everybody has been attempting to make your Maja Blanca during get-togethers, but no one has successfully made the same Maja Blanca you make.
Tatay, though you passed away 20 years right before I was born, I look up to you. I’m amazed on how you brought up your eight totally different kids and how you raised your children to the persons they are right now.
Ate Nora, thank you for being the second mother to me. Thank you for taking care of me when I was a baby. Thank you for showing great patience for a brat like me. I never told you this but I really love you.
Lola, though we’ve spent little time together, you know how much I love you. I look up to you. Without you, I could never have the best father in the whole world.
Lolo, I really miss you! Christmas is getting near, it’s your birthday on Christmas! I really miss the days when we exchange Christmas cards and gifts, and your voice when you call us telling you have sent us gifts for our birthdays. I’ll continue your dream for Tito Rey. Love you, lo.

Kuya Pao, you’re unfair. How could you leave so soon? Mama and Papa had a hard time recovering from the pain. Until now, they’re still crying about the fact you’re not physically with us in our new house. It’s been five years, but it still pains us to see a vivid picture of you gasping for life. Francis is acting like you when you were his age. He’s 15 now, and he acts exactly like you. Remember our major fight? When you shot a pencil toward me and it has nearly blinded my right eye? I still have the pencil mark a millimeter away from the corner of my eye. But I’m thankful you did it. Because it taught me, a kuya will always be a kuya. I miss the days when we go to school together, when you drag me by the neck when we cross the streets. When I got in 4th year high school, my teachers were your teachers when you were in your 3rd year. Remember Ms. Galang, the one who embarrassed you in your class? She was my adviser. Mrs. Tare, Mr. Octavo, Sir Jove and Ms. Regala knows I am your sister. You left a mark in E.S.P.S. Haha. Remember your favorite song? “Now this looks like a job for me so everybody, just follow me coz’ we need a little controversy coz’ it feels so empty without me.” Yes, it really feels empty without you, kuya Pao. We love you sooooo much.

Until we meet again, guys. You are loved, being loved, and will always be loved and remembered.

A New, Clean Slate

2008-10-31T20:05:00.003+08:00

1st semester has officially ended, as I sweaty registered myself in for the 2nd semester of College of Liberal Arts. It’s a fulfilling chapter for me as a student, because through it I knew I can survive in college. On the flipside, it was difficult because starting another semester in college is a stepping stone, meaning, things would be much difficult and challenging. As I write this, my phone keeps vibrating on the class card-cluttered desk, which means it is being bombarded with messages from my block mates. But this time the messages isn’t the usual “ano homework?” nor the “good morning!” messages. They were messages of “thank you”, “sorry” and “I’ll miss you.” On the next days, we won’t be laughing at the same jokes anymore, nor can we share the same table for lunch because for the next semester, we won’t be in the same block again. We were re-sectioned according to our Grade Weighted Average (GWA). Being in one of the top classes doesn’t make me feel happy at all, because it is difficult to suddenly withdraw classmates-turned-friends from the daily scene of going to school. I will really miss the joke shows and “okray” sessions, and our favorite past time taking stolen pictures of drooling classmates and sleepyheads. But learning and fun doesn’t stop there. That is the reality and it has to be done. I must move on. My world doesn’t rotate by a single picture; it rotates because of a reason. And that reason must be known, that is why it has to be learned. But as I move on, I have with me memories and hopes that the friends I knew will be the same friends I’ll be meeting in the crossroads for the next years. I will truly miss my block mates, specially “kabaklaan” (it’s what our block mates call our group, because we mainly call each other bak or bakla, even if we have straight guy/s (you know what I mean, mga bak) in the group) Chai Retorta, Sarah Rosales, Jam Camaclang, Mark Quinto, Chiela Ramos, Joanna Perez, Alyssa Salanguit and Mike Timonera, if you’re reading this, ILY, mga bak!

This is just the beginning. At certain points in college, we’ll have to let go of friends and make new ones. But that doesn’t mean replacing friends to new ones. Remember that Soc. Sci line? “Man is a social animal.” The magic is adding more friends, keeping them, and loving them. It is just a question of belief and a matter of change. After all, we’ll be in the same school breathing the same air, learning the same ideals, and whining about the same Math “Happy” quizzes. After those eight semesters, we will be born to a bigger world which demands greater things from us, till we forget old friends, make new ones, and retrieve old friends from the hollows of forget. It’s not yet a goodbye for us, Block 29.

2nd Semester...Thrill or Shrill??

2008-10-31T19:34:00.002+08:00

I got myself enrolled for the second semester. I can’t imagine how fast those five months passed. First day, I introduced myself to total strangers, the next day here I am saying my goodbyes to them, then the next day, I’ll be doing the same introduction to total strangers once again. The twist is, we were sorted according to our GWA, and I was transferred to one of the top blocks. I was shocked when I saw it in my registration form. I'm thankful, but I'm not that happy at all. So what are the things to look forward to in 2nd semester? NIRVANA. No College Algebra, Trigonometry’s turn, at last! It’s our turn to have our Natural Science 11 which happens to be Biology. I soooo love Biology. But the sad part is….drum roll…..CHEMISTRY FOR 5 UNITS! I happen to hate Chemistry when I was in high school. But the good news is, we had some Chemistry during the first semester, which would (hopefully) help us with this bloody 5-unit subject. Bad news, I failed to get in soccer for my P.E. because the enrollment system is unjust. Only blocks 1-20 are allowed to enroll in the morning, and enrolling for P.E. is a first-come-first-serve basis. Meaning, as exactly quoted from Mark “Latak na P.E.” The good news is, I am still left with choices: Ballroom, Philippine Folk Dance and Softball. I decided to take Softball instead of dances. I don’t like dancing that much and I think softball is just as fun as soccer. The good news about it is, D.O.M. P.E. professor is handling swimming, which means there’s no way he’ll be my professor in P.E. Yehey. My schedule, though, is just as hectic as it was. Well I guess I will have to wait for next year for a better schedule. Saturday is my day off, and I got three-and-a-half hours vacant before P.E. during Fridays.

Cooking Sinigang + more

2008-10-27T13:44:00.008+08:00

To make some relevance out of my 17 days break from school, I took over the kitchens, and yes, I cooked. Well of course, with nerves as I stir the Sinigang soup. Well, it was worth the nerves because according to the mouths I fed, pwede na akong mag-asawa (remember that tv ad?), Hahaha. Not in the near future, of course.

It was totally scary cooking a "serious" food for the people here to eat for lunch. It would be much easier for me if I don't have anyone to share it with. Of course, I don't want to hear complaints about the food I cooked. That's worst case scenario for chef- wannabe like myself. Add in the fact that it is the first time I'll be cooking viand for 6 mouths, and the only thing I knew close to "serious" cooking is cooking instant noodles and hotdogs ( do you actually call it cooking?) and I can't even perfect frying sunny side up eggs. But hey, they said it's good.

The first thing I cooked was Ginisang Munggo. My tita just gave me the instructions on how it's cooked, and I just followed it. I was not satisfied, though. My tita said chewing the meat was like chewing bubble gum. But the taste wasn't bad.

Ginisang Munggo with Bubble Gum meat. haha.

And then the next day, I was asked again to cook and buy the ingredients for sinigang. Buying the ingredients was easy (of course, I have a list in my pocket courtesy of Tita Mar),but cooking was difficult. I was not sure about how much salt to put in, how long will it take for the pork to get cooked and the like. And then the hour came when I said to myself, "it's done." Judgment time. I was nervous (I felt like a contestant in Iron chef), but the judges had spoken, they said that my Sinigang was good. So there, I can proudly say I cooked Sinigang and Ginisang Munggo without asking help from anyone. (:

yum. (:

* * *

I checked my email today and a friend sent me this youtube url. Watch this vid, surely you'll be touched, if not, teary eyed.

Do you ever think
When you're all alone
All that we can be
Where this thing could go
Am I crazy or falling in love
Is it real or just another crush
Do you catch your breath
When I look at you
Are you holding back
Like the way I do
Cause I'm trying, trying to walk away
But I know this crush ain't going away, going away . . .
LSS. (:

I ♥ BLOGGER

2008-10-20T16:01:00.006+08:00

Waaaaaa... At last, nakapag-online din ng walang ginagawang related sa school! I missed logging in my friendster account! I missed reading e-mails! I missed blogging! It's been a while...I missed you all!

Been out of the blogosphere because of school. Yes, college life demands more time and effort. First semester was really hectic for me that I failed to check on my e-mail, and my friendster account! If my memory serves me well, when I went online the last time, then number of e-mails in my inbox was 150 or so. Now, I will have to deal with 1309 e-mails. I even failed to check out my friendster account on my birthday. I still have birthday greetings left to be approved, and heck, it's October now, I don't think anyone would even care reading those comments considering my birthday was ages ago. I got approved by PPP ages ago but I still haven't accepted any jobs either.

So what happened during the days I was out? Not much. I went through my first collegiate mid-term and final exams smoothly, and finished 1 of my 8 semesters in college (hopefully), got my first classcards, celebrated my 18th birthday (yes, I'm an adult now), my tita who favored me most of the time passed away, and the latest and saddest event that had happened, my last grandparent alive is now dead. My lola Laly, who suffered from diabetes for years passed away on October 5. I remember, it was at the same month last year when my grandfather left us, right after my birthday. I dunno if my birthday is jinxed or what. So semestral break doesn't sound enthralling for me as much as it does for the other kids out there, now that I'm grandparent-less and left without anything to do. ):

I'll try to create a new layout for this blog to change the mood.

so there you have it. Not much, right?

The Show of the Century: Beijing Olypics Opening

2008-08-09T19:15:00.002+08:00

I could have died if I missed to watch the opening of the seven-years-in-the-making Beijing Olympics opening. I don't have regrets watching the opening instead of cramming for next day's Natural Science mid-term exam. I would be totally disappointed if I missed watching (even if it's just on tv) the one-chance spectacular performances of thousands of Chinese people. My jaw dropped with wows while watching the show. Beijing Olympics definitely made me proud as an Asian. How I wish I was there witnessing the stunning performances, and breathing the pollution made by the fireworks. Kidding.

China's skies were illuminated with extraordinary sparkles and colorful glitters of fireworks. The fireworks were stunning and already a treat, in itself. What more about the well-planned and rehearsed performances from the Chinese kids to kids at heart?

Architects all over the world surely envies the architect/s behind the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, the former is a stadium, and the latter, exclusively for sports event specially built for this year's Olympics.

The Bird's Nest

Water Cube

Watch: The Torch Lighting

The performances showcasing China's rich culture were amazing. The 2,008 drummers who were first to perform was the best. The huge scroll and painting, galing! The kid who sang China's national anthem was charming in her performance. The dominoe-like performance was amazing. The lighting of the torch, awesome! Everything is just superb and owerwhelming!

If you missed to watch the opening, I think you should allot some time to see the opening yourself, because if you don't, you'll surely regret it in your entire life.

To the minds behind the preparations and performances, congratulations and thank you for making us happy for 3 and a half hours.

London should prepare well for 2012 Olympics.

Good thing I was able to multi-task; watching the opening and studying at the same time. Haha.

Watch out world, here comes China to dominate you! Eat Beijing's pollution, er, space dusts!
kidding.
:)

Got approved by PPP!

2008-08-03T16:42:00.004+08:00

I checked my e-mail today, and inspected each mails sent to me. Then I saw this:
This e-mail was sent June 24, and it's August already! I could have started earning points a month ago!But that's ok, the approval doesn't expire, anyway. (:

So about money-making, me and my ate are planning to sell printed shirts online, so I would like to know if you'll buy any of these shirts. haha.

Would you buy any of these? Please feel free to comment about the shirts. Thank you! (:

High School Musical on Ice Expee @ the Big Dome

2008-07-29T17:04:00.004+08:00

I want fabulous! That is my simple request. Lalalala… HSM on Ice got me singing! Last Saturday, I watched High School Musical on Ice together with my cousins Mara, her ate Chinie, IC, Camille and Tita Rose. We got VIP upper box tickets from Tita Rose. VIP sounds cool, but there’s not much difference with the seats. Except that we got a better view of the stage more than anyone else. The show was just awesome! It reminded me that once when I was a kid, I wanted to be a figure skater. Haha.

It wasn’t much a surprise when we saw a crowd lining up for the show. But the audience is somewhat I haven’t expected. Darn it, I said, because I thought I don’t suit for the show anymore, it’s a show for the kids, not for teens-wishing-they-were-kids-again like myself. Tita Rose asked us if we want something to buy before we get inside, and pointed her lips toward the kiosk selling High School Musical stuffs. All the merchandises are cute, and Tita Rose thought of buying us anything we want. Hell yeah, the stuffs were all good, but the prices are a shock! How much would a bag of multi-colored cotton candy cost? Probably you’re thinking it’s around 40-60 pesos. Guess what? You’re totally wrong! The cotton candy costs two hundred bucks! I’m not kidding! How much would you think a snow cone that comes with a lighting tumbler cost? 50 pesos? 70? A hundred or two? WRONG! It costs 600 bucks! A wand costs 700, an HSM doll costs 800, an HSM tote bag , 900 ; HSM lollipop, 200; HSM coloring book, 300; finally an HSM shirt costs 1,200. The franchisers must be very good at making money, huh? Also, seeing foreigners sell the stuffs was a treat. It was like Divisoria in Cubao. There was this foreigner who sells an HSM book which costs 250, with his chant “bumili na po kayo, mga ma’am” which was delivered with no twangs at all. If that man competed against Ruffa Gutierrez in a Filipino diction competition, Ruffa will surely lose by a total knock out. So after pondering over how the stuffs were priced, we decided to take a picture of the kiosk instead, then we got inside the coliseum.

I thought the show is going to be a bore, but I was totally wrong! The songs got me singing and the skaters got me wanting for more twirls and glides. I enjoyed the sweet laughter of the kids around me, moms asking their children if they were enjoying the show, and the loud screams and tweaks from the audience. I enjoyed everything! What’s so cool about the show is that, if you have watched both films, HSM 1 and 2, you will surely expect that the dance steps performed in the movie will be shown as well on the show. They were able to put the dances on the show with a twist of skating. The casts wore the same clothes, the props are well made and thought of and the effects are WOW. You’ll be surely amazed with the slow-mo basketball game of the wild cats, snowing of basketball balls, and the “kilig-factor” of Gabriela and Troy. The cast portrayed the characters well, and what’s more amazing about the show is that they were able to squeeze in both films in just a couple and a half hour without missing any important scenes in the movie. We were able to take some vids and pics of the show using camera phones and IC’s mp4. But heck, phones and mp4 were useless; they were either out of memory space or low batt. It’s a pity I was not able to bring a camera. Hay, sayang! I’ll post some of the pics and vids on my next post.

After the show, me and my cousins had our very own show as well. It’s called Mayhem in Highschool Musical on Ice. Hahaha! Why? Here’s the story:
After the show, we decided to take some groups pics with the stage being the background. Chinie decided to go farther to get a better angle of the stage, stepped on the seat, and accidentally slipped in between the seats. We were some of the few who went out last, and the staffs were starting to fix the stage for the next show. So we laughed so loud that it echoed inside the stadium! Chinie got a cut on her big toe for the price of taking a souvenir pic of the show. Since she was teary-eyed because of her toe, we went out. It was noticeable that there’s something wrong on her foot because of the way she walks, then a kid approached her and said: “can you dance?” The kid might have noticed the way she walks. Then Chinie said these words: “dumudugo na nga paa ko baka duguin na din yung ilong ko” We laughed so loud that everyone ahead of us looked back.

To conclude that never-to-forget experience, here are some of the things you will get from a VIP access:
1. a better view of the stage
2. a cut on the toe
3. nosebleed
4. Last but not the least, embarrassment.
Hahaha!

For Sunday’s CWTS, we had a getting to know activity. We’re asked to write our first impression on a paper posted on our backs. Here’s my paper (sorry for the creases, I’ve just scanned it) and look at my classmates’ first impression on me. Tahimik ba talaga ako? Hindi yata…ako makakapayag. Tsk..tsk..

Share ko lang... my pamangkin..Erica Skye...cute nya no?? (:

First quarter pa lang!

2008-07-29T16:49:00.003+08:00

The first month of being a college student was- well, rough. Count in the chief reason of going to school six days straight, plus the NSTP-CWTS that bores me out every Sunday afternoon which was once a nirvana-a picture of my couch potato self every lazy Sunday afternoon back in high school, plus college algebra, plus the eye bags and dark circles around my eyes. And oh, add in a few classmates who irritate me and a professor who does nothing but talk about sex and preach things about the bible at the same time. Crap.

College is truly something one must consider taking seriously. It will decide on what sort of future you will live- the prosperous life or the lining-up-for-NFA-rice one. Adjusting is difficult; you will have to cope with the new environment, because everything and everyone will have no interest with adjusting for you like how it’s like in high school. There are people whom you will easily get along with, and there are also the ones whom you wouldn’t dare talking or fighting with for the sake of peace and unity. There are great professors who really do what is due doing, and there are some who does nothing but talk garbage and waste hours with unrelated things to the subject which could have been wisely used for sleeping and doing much important stuffs.

And the greatest thing I whine about- my P.E. professor. Why? Mainly because he’s a pervert. He does nothing but utter awful words, talk about sex and human genitals, and, ironically speaking, evangelize us with the ideas of his bible (or self-written bible, I dunno where on earth did he find such ideas, considering that he’s a Catholic), instead of making us do warm ups, play sports or whatever physical activities. I could have been happier if I jog around the campus for an hour instead of hearing his unbearable talks. He was saying blasphemous things about God and Virgin Mary. Like, he clearly stated that Mary was not a virgin. He said that after giving birth to Jesus, she had sons and daughters with Joseph, reached old age and died as opposed to the dogma that Mary assumed into heaven, with flesh and blood, after the ascension of her child Jesus to heaven. Hearing things like this has become excruciating and it was like hitting below the belt. Being a Catholic myself, those things he says are offensive. I don’t have problems with my faith (I thank my school for this), what I worry the most is that, his profane words might deceive people. Grrrr… I think I can’t do anything about it for the mean time. I will just have to hum my favorite song for the next two months whenever he talks. I don’t want to drop any of my subjects, either, but the moment I ran out of patience, I won’t have two minds of dropping his class (it’s not even that important) and report him in the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS) even without the consent of my parents. Hayyyy…

College could have been better for me if, and only if:
5. there are no “maarte” classmates
4. there is a storm signal number four in Gen. Luna cor. Muralla St. in Intramuros every Sunday afternoon, if not, rallyist should rally in Dep’t of Labor and Employment Intramuros 1 pm every Sunday.
3. College Algebra is not a prerequisite to Trigonometry
2. No Prof. D.O.M.
1. SM Manila was just a step away from PLM

So another thing, I took the Ang Pamantasan Examination (APEX), the exams for the new staffers of PLMs official student publication, and blimey, it’s the first time I had a blast in written exams! The test is divided into four parts: the editorial/ opinion, news writing, Feature/ Sports News, and Literature/ Filipino writing, respectively. I enjoyed working on everything. The opinion writing was about student activism in school papers. The next one is News Writing. In here we were asked to look for news around the campus for thirty minutes. By that exact time the task was given, a stock room in GK was on fire. So I decided to write about it, together with my news buddy Ate Chelle from College of Mass Comm. We immediately went to GK to look for someone to interview, but we failed to look for one. We proceeded to the Activity Center and there was someone announcing suspension of classes on affected buildings. After he made his announcements, we threw a lot of questions to him about the fire. Until I asked my last question: “Sir, ano po pangalan nila?” And then the good man told us: “Isulat niyo, Atty. Ernesto Maceda Jr.” Crap. I didn’t have any idea that he was PLM’s Vice President! So with a red face and a never-to-be-forgotten shame, I went off to write my news. That is definitely an experience I will never ever forget. The results were given, and I passed the written exam! The last test, the panel interview, will decide on our fate in the paper. The panel interview is no joke; the editors of each section will be the interviewers together with the editor-in-chief of Manila Bulletin, whose office happens to be beside PLM. Cool huh?

Last one. There was this activist girl who happens to be a year younger than me who tried to recruit me in their group. I met her in APEX and she happens to be my buddy in feature writing. She really speaks very well that all I knew was utter the word wow. But my parents reminded me very well not to join any unofficial group, and I still love my life. Haha.

Hala...1 week 'til midterm... goodluck na lang sa'kin... (:

Hayyy.. Pagod!
(:

KOLEHIYALA KRONIKELS: Hi I'm Tricia, Nice to meet yah!

2008-06-16T21:11:00.004+08:00

I must admit adjusting with how the things work in college is difficult. From the oddly planned schedule down to the tiniest bit like how the books are like in college, I must cope with all those stuffs. And oh, count in the profs who arrive 1 hour late for their classes- if not- absent for the class without even notifying their students.

It is difficult studying in PLM (why waste time for a school which doesn't give school works as burdens, anyway) almost all professors reiterate these words: "PLM students kayo, mga iskolar ng bayan. You ought to apply and uphold the values and knowledge this school imparts to you. Being scholars, you have to exert all your bests to be rightful being called as an iskolar ng bayan". Talk about pressure. Besides the burden our profs put on our backs, it's extremely warm in Gusaling Villegas where we have our classes most of the time. Not because I'm used to air conditioned rooms like how it was like back in my old school. I guess it has something about global warming (ang layo ba?). Bad.

So how was my first week as a freshman college student? IT WAS TIRING, and it was fun at the same time. Tiring because I will have to wake up so early for me not to be late for my first class, and do all the preps on rush, since I am 45 minutes away from PLM (if there's no traffic jam), and literally run my way from the univ's main entrance to my first class. My classes usually end 30 minutes before noon, so that means I will have to walk a mile with the sun's rays directly hitting my face. Also, the competition among the students can be felt. All are smart, attentive and active. It was like the same pilot section I had attended during my freshman year in high school (why should it always be the first year ?) The fun side. Besides being classmates again with Gen and Chiela, I was able to make friends with my new block mates. Most of them are friendly, and loud, so there was hardly any problem with making friends with the people in our block. Blimey, after 2 days, we're like friends who have known each other for ages that we ate in a karinderya near MAPUA and sang our hearts out (thanks to the videoke machine and our liking for singing.) It's just so good to be friends with Erice, Chai (my katukayo), Shiela, Debbie, Marky, Raff, Jam, Jay Anne, Krishell, Von and the others.

So about the classes. Our profs are a treat. All of them are very cheerful, talkative, and friendly. There were no boring profs in our classes. So good. Except that some of them gave us a quiz without even discussing anything yet(like we did in HIST11!But it was more like a review so nothing bad about it) and they give lengthy homeworks! But there's one more prof we haven't met yet- our prof in Soc Sci11. Hope she/he will be as fun as our other profs do.

To the profs, all we need is a pat on the back, and we'll be ok. Haha.

After a week, college isn't that tough, nor that easy. Just have the confidence, study lessons ahead of the class and participate in the discussions, that will give you the ticket to survival. As for making friends, never hesitate to give a bit of yourself, and to show off who you really are even if it's just the first day. As for the profs, here's a bit of advice our prof in English gave us: Study, study, study. And if you think you have studied so much, study some more. I'm pretty sure if you're a diligent student, you won't have any problems with the profs. Plus, of course, the respect for the profs. I would like to state here Ate Agsy of UP College of Law's comment on my recent kolehiyala kronikels post: Love college and it will love you back. That is certainly correct.

THIS BLOG WILL BE IN HIATUS FOR SOME DAYS.

by the way, I'll be taking the ANG PAMANTASAN EXAMINATION or APEX (PLM's School publication exam) on Saturday. Please pray for me that I'll pass both written exam and interview. Would love to be part of the school publication again, but this time, it's going to be big! (Missing Ms. D, my mentor) Thank you!

And Tatay kong Baduy

2008-06-15T00:00:00.001+08:00

I REMEMBER one cold morning at school, together with my father and my classmate lined up to pay our tuition fees for the exams on the same day. I remember that day, when my classmate told me she had never seen a daughter and a father close with each other like me and my father do, so close that my father still has the time to kid around despite the pressures of the exams my being senior high school student brought about. She told me she envied me, and that I am so lucky for having a friend in my father. “Should I be really proud of my father? If she only knew” was the first thing I thought of after hearing those words from her.
Being a teenager, I came to this stage of being rebellious. Not that I’m-not-going-back-to-this-house type of drama, but that I-hate-things-about-my-dad type. He’s short-tempered, sloppy, and he snores so loud when he sleeps. I so hated a lot of things about my father that I once wished I was born with another father who deserves all the respect- not bash- in the whole wide world. A father so decent that when you just look at his cleanly shaved beard, nicely done tie, and austere bearing, you will know he is not the type whom you want would mess around with. I hate the way he dresses up. He loves buying stuffs in ukay-ukay. I abhor his being comical to people of total strangers. I hate it when he picks garbage on the street when we walk together, thinking that it can still be reused- if not- repaired. I can’t bear his sermons about relationships, telling that I should at least reach forty before I get myself a boyfriend. I hate it whenever he gives his juicy comment on showbiz clutters out of temper- this I grant an exception; because I heard somewhere that aging people are short-tempered in nature (no offense.)
If you’re through or at the same age as mine, you should have gone through the same problem. I was ashamed of my father that whenever I needed to go somewhere, it’s my mother-at my disposal- who accompanies me. My father does foolish things when we are out together, like picking flowers where a signage tells him not to pick them, or buy substandard home tools along the city sidewalks, which- in my mom’s point of view-is impractical. Those are just some of the things that make my father happy. On the flipside, his happiness was once my nightmare. I was embarrassed of my simpleton father-that’s what I thought of him before. Am I an evil daughter?
I was suddenly struck by a bolt of contemplation. I realized that the things I hated about my father are the exact things why I should be really proud of him. He prefer buying clothes in ukay-ukay because he thinks, instead of spending money on flashy clothes, he could buy them in the price of a single item in malls which would mean a minus to my mom’s bad budgeting. He cracks jokes to people so that he will be able to draw a smile on their faces and to make them realize that life isn’t just about stresses and problems, it’s about making the most out of our one chance existence. He picks up rubbish so that street sweepers wouldn’t have much work to do, considering that they stand in the streets for hours in exchange of small amount of money. My father hated watching showbiz talk shows because he believes television must be a source of entertainment, and entertainment doesn’t mean drawing beings to public humiliation in expense of high ratings and high paying advertisements. About reaching the age of forty for future relationship/s, with that I haven’t found any logic at all.
My father is blessed with so many things-intelligence, charisma, artistry, and-well, good looks (that’s what he says.) I may have hated the way my father dresses, the way he talks and the way he acts, but there’s one thing I hated most about my father- that is, the reality that the things I hated about my father will wither along with time, and in a halt, everything will be forever gone once God says it’s time for him to go. But one thing will never change: I will always be the daughter of my baduy father.

Happy Father's day to all dads out there!

Kolehiyala Kronikels: First Day!

2008-06-11T20:52:00.006+08:00

Well, like any other first days I went through in my thirteen years of going to school, it was BOOOOOOORIIIING. Everyone in my block are quiet since we don't know each other yet. And this day was just about giving the prof our class cards, never-ending I am blah blah from blah blah, and the very elementary not to do any stupid things inside the campus, and guess what, HOMEWORKS!
I had a hard time sleeping so early the day before. Not because I was excited about the opening of classes, but of my sleeping at 2:00 am, and waking up at 10:00 am habit. I started my attempts of sleeping early at 9:00 am. I did everything that could possibly give me a nice sleep, like shutting all the lights off, played some music, and played Loco Roco on PSP, hoping that it could somehow tire me out. It was a bad choice. I could have, at least, thought of it first that playing would make me stay up late more.
At 2 in the morning, it was heaven. My eyes finally tired out and my mind finally decided to shut down. At 5, the alarm rang. I gave this excuse that it’s too early, I still have more spare minutes to sleep. At 5:10, I saw a flash of image of me getting scolded by a prof because I was late considering that it’s the first day of classes. I panicked. I literally ran my way from my bed to the bathroom. A quarter before 6, I headed off to the place where Chery and I agreed meeting.
Gusaling Villegas Rm.211
I was looking for the venue of my first subject. I swiftly walked a long stretch of classrooms, and it was tiring since everyone was outside the corridor, chattering as if it wasn’t the first day. Room 208…209….210. Shoot. I was lost. I was looking for Room 211 but there’s no room as such. Then I saw this room with hardly any signage or anything that could inform me that it was the room I was looking for. I braved the embarrassment of getting into the wrong room, then I saw Chiela, a classmate during my sophomore year. I was delighted to see her, since I haven’t known anyone in my block yet. The first thing I did was asking her if I got in the right room and that we’re in block 29. Confirmed. I stumbled upon the room which I struggled looking for. Then I saw Genesis, my classmate last year who seemed bothered of looking for GV 211. Hahaha. Alas, we belong in the same block. So 2 old classmates. Not bad.
First Subject: Natural Science 12
Professor: Vincent Ng
Everyone was still silent and shy, except the three of us. Then came our prof. He’s probably at 25 or thirties. A geeky guy, but he seems to be friendly. Not bad for a Science teacher. Of course we were informed that we have to maintain our grades for our scholarship and, no cheating, blah blah, and the common rules and regulations. And our first class was ended with homework. Feisty.
Second Subject: Filipino 12
Professor: Marie Grace Anselmo
A bubbly professor. Probably 25 years old. She does the talking most of the time. She likes joking around, but hates "pilosopo." She’s very kind. She toured us around the campus. I think she’s a professor best to be friends with.
Third Subject: History 11
Professor: Carmelita Kastiri
She’s a cool professor! Although the age difference between our age is huge, she can still ride with us. She’s a joker, too. She’s a graduate of PLM. Her personality is just different from any other history professors I’ve had before.
Although the describe-your-self was annoying and the first day sermons were boring, it somehow left me an impression I will be holding on for the coming years. PLM is a good university with good students and great professors, and I’m pretty sure I will have great time learning in this institution.

Three important things to learn in PLM:
1. Never be late.
2. Wear comfortable shoes.
3. Always bring with you a bottled water.

cheers for college!

Saw (and heard) the Sound of Music

2008-06-08T17:08:00.003+08:00

The hills are alive with the sound of music With songs they have sung for a thousand years The hills fill my heart with the sound of music My heart wants to sing every song it hears...lalalala...

My grandma loves it, my parents love it, my teachers love it, so with my ate and kuya. (I wonder why the 90s babies like myself doesn't have much liking for this film.) Since everybody loves it, I got curious about Julie Andrew's 1965 hit film. Finally, my sought-after desire of watching Sound of Music happened. Blimey, the Von Trapp family singers got me singing the whole day. No wonder why everybody loves this aged film.

Though the film wasn't in good quality like those we see in big screens nowadays, the storyline and the music presented in this film are just superb! (of course, for kids, childlike, childish, young at heart, and simpleton persons, I guess)
The story is about a young woman named Maria (Julie Andrews), who is failing with her duties as a nun. In the convent where she stayed, Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) asked for the nun's help to look for a governess who can handle his seven kids when he's away. Maria was given the job. Since the Captain's wife is dead and he's often away from home, he runs the house the way he does on the ship he sails. The Captain kept hiring governesses from time to time, because the children play tricks to the governesses to make them tire out their job, and eventually, making their father stay. When Maria arrived at the Von Trapp's house, she was met with the same hostility, but her understanding, kindness and sense of fun made the kids love her, and eventually-the Captain himself. Maria was able to bring back the music in the family that was once lost when the kid's mother died. The Captain was engaged with a baroness, but this was overshadowed by his love for Maria, drawing them to marriage. During those times, Germany was at large in Austria, forcing Captain Von Trapp to be allies with them through leading Germany's Navy against his own country. To this, the captain doesn't agree, therefore making the German set up plot of capturing the whole family. The whole family escaped after a performance in a festival, climbing mountains of Switzerland on foot.

I just love the songs in this movie. It reminds me of my late lola. Sound of Music is something every home must have a copy. It is an epitome of a movie made in music, harmony, and the subtlety. Every kid (and kid at heart) in the world must see this classic film.

Compare and Contrast
Watch both videos and tell me which is better. (:

Maria-before

Maria-Now

For another movie classics adventure, watch Somewhere in Time starred by Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It's another great film.

"Auditioning" for CWTS

2008-06-04T19:00:00.003+08:00

For five consecutive days, I was out on the streets. My feet are killing me, my eyes, tired, and my mind wasn't in its working condition and the only thing that made me forget about last minute fixes before college was to read a good book which gives me the ticket to a good night sleep.

Last Saturday (as you noticed, that was ages already!) Phyllis, Mylene, AJ and I agreed that we should meet 5 in the morning sharp in a convenience store near our school to enroll for CWTS (Civil Welfare Training Service) as part of our NTS (National Training Service) since only 500 students will be allowed to enroll for the subject, and the rest are forced to take ROTC instead as their NTS. Since the scheduled time for the enrollment was 8 a.m., I decided to set my alarm at 5:30. At 6 in the morning, I received a phone call from Phyllis and she asked me if I still want to go with them. I told them not to wait for me anymore since I was just about to have my breakfast, and I was confident that I'll still make it even if I stayed longer since I still have three loose hours to spend. At 6:30, I decided to go, took the quickest ride to get to the school just to make sure I'll make it, even if it pays double, or triple in the case of taking LRT rather than a jeepney ride. I arrived in PLM at around 7:00 in the morning, and the first thing I saw was a huge crowd with students carrying brown envelopes and a very long line that extends to the soccer field. Crap. I was late. I was looking for Phyllis, but she was nowhere to be found. I found a number of colleagues lined up near the person first in the line, but I didn't have the guts to slink in. Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes-to an hour; I was still near the end of the line, immobile, crazy as if I was about meters away from my deathbed. Then somewhat a divine intervention took place: Phyllis and Mylene saw me, grabbed my backpack, and dragged me to their place. "Good Lord!" I said, thanks to Raphael and Ysabel who saw me. I was sneaking in the line, and blimey, I felt guilty. I was a few steps away from enrolling for the subject which would save me from asthma attacks and sun burns, and Rosario suddenly asked me about the id picture needed for the enrollment. Then Phyllis recalled the requirements needed: 2 id pictures, registration form, money, and a photocopy of the reg form. shoot. I didn't have the photocopy of my reg form. Since I badly want the subject, I ran almost a kilometer just to find a place where I could photocopy my reg form. I was tired, sweaty, and hungry since I didn't have the chance to have a proper breakfast when I finally found a computer shop. "Finally" was the first thing I uttered upon reaching my destination. I got inside the internet cafe. The day was not made for me. I would still have to fight my way through a line to get myself a photocopy of my reg form. I was really hopeless. Then a staff came rushing down the stairs and shouted "akyat kayo may xerox sa taas!" Yehey! I ran as fast as I could, and still having the luck, I was 3rd in the line. After having my reg form photocopied, I ran again as fast as I could, so fast that I got lost. What a day. I took a wrong turn, and it was scary because there is this warehouse where men are lined outside. As I pass by. they were staring at me, and there is this person who points his finger on me. Good thing I reached the end of the street and I saw "MURALLA ST." on the wall, which tells me that I am a few blocks away from PLM. Finally, I was able to get back to the school just in time.
I was successful, but not all felt that same sense of fulfillment. There were parents running towards the security officers because they couldn't agree on the process, there were wailing and shouting, and believe it or not, there was crying. It was like auditioning for American Idol. If you have presented yourself with a good song, then you're opt to fly to Hollywood. In this case, if you have the requirements completed, and you reach the quota, then you'll be one of the lucky people who could escape the scorching heat of the sun and the killing body pains (not to mention the burden of heavy ROTC uniform) ROTC brings. Ysabel was one of the unfortunate people. 2 id pictures are required, she just brought one. She was disqualified from the subject. The sad news reminded me of the person who originally owns my slot since I am situated in a place where reaching the quota is an impossible thing to happen. I feel guilty.

To the person who truly owns my slot, I am really sorry. I just really need it. I hope you understand. ):

The Good
1. No sun burns
2. No physical activities that could cause asthma attacks
3. No mud stains on uniform

The Bad
1. No same classes with Chery
2. Same faces, almost everyone who made it in the quota are my highschool mates.

The Ugly
1. GUILT.

Partying the Tondo Way

2008-05-20T17:18:00.012+08:00

Fiesta All-time favorite-Leche Flan

3rd sunday of May, a significant day for "laking tondo" like myself. That only means our parish is having a fiesta to commemorate our parish patron St. Joseph. And fiesta only means party, party, party.When you hear the word "tondo" you would probably think of it as a stinky, dangerous, and gangster-inhibited place. For a person who haven't been to our town, they are most probably to avoid going to our place, if not, avoid taking the way passing through tondo and take the longer way instead if they need to go to Navotas, Divisoria or Caloocan. Though the stereotypes about tondo has been filling minds for ages, still, Tondo hides it's real nature: camaraderie among homeowners, concern for the whole community, and concern for safety per se. Those aspect of tondo have been shown in our baranggay for this year's fiesta. What's so great about fiesta is that, it gave our family a chance to reunite and catch up with each other. Oh I just missed my cousins.

Of course, a fiesta without gastronomic adventure is, well, not a feast at all. And yearly, all mothers in our family cook foods that can only be tasted on special occasions. Lechon, Garbanzos, Ube Halaya, Leche Flan, and the all-time favorite- Kare-Kare. 2 types of Kare-Kare were served. One is Seafood Kare-Kare cooked by my aunt, and the other, the traditional Kare-Kare. Both recipes are handed down by our late grandmother, Aling Adeling. It' so nice to be with my cousins. We sang together, took pictures together, had our nails painted, and ate our favorite, leche flan! We ate like pigs! (:

Before

After

I'm just thankful I have friends for cousins. (:

Me and my cousins.

Who says flip-flops are out?

We volted in!

Ate, Chinie, IC and Mara

Gawin daw ba akong photographer?

Party! Party!

2008-05-18T00:00:00.003+08:00

It was exactly four years ago ( I was just thirteen back then) when I first entered the world of blogging. I had my first-ever blog which was made in xanga. Funny how I started blogging, since my first blog was made for my admiration for an actor-yes, a fan site. From there I met friends whom I share the same interests, and the good thing is, they're still my friends even that admiration just faded away like time. I had no idea how blog works, all I know are the basics-basic html, basic writing, and basic tools needed to run a blog. But blogging isn't as complicated as a newbie would think.I moved to different blog hosts, from xanga to tabulas, mutiply, blogdrive to a few I can't even remember, and finally, in blogger. Moving to blogger is somewhat a challenge given to me. A challenge to make friends with fellow bloggers, to promote traffic to one's blog, and of course, to defeat writer's block. There are a number of times when I felt like I don't have anything interesting to share the world. But everything have changed. People here in blogger are so nice, so nice that they know how to give back to the readers visiting their blogs. That's why I decided to settle down here.

To my blogring mates in xanga: Alyn, Marc, Sam, Bhadz, Ate Maju,Carl, thank you for the continuous support and friendship despite of our "blog differences" (hahaha, ano daw? xanga X blogger)
To my friends Jamie, Charmaine, Kambz, and Micah, thank you for giving me favors for my blog! (:
To iko who has what it takes to be the next top graphic designer, thank you for laughing out loud with me.
To kuya Quincy thank you for giving me advice whenever I needed one.
To anabanana who helped me with my traffic (thanks for the now dead bloghopper) pis!
To Kuya Ayel,thank you for sharing your adventures in life which serves as my inspiration
To Kuya Aethen who never forgets to pay a visit despite his busy schedule, thank you for being my "idol", for giving me the drive to be a better student like yourself.
To Kris (the future columnist), thank you for giving me the drive to improve my writing skill, you're an inspiration. (:
To Johnray, for the wonderful posts that make me realize things I never thought of before.
To Kuya Redlan, for the constant visits, comments, advices, jokes, and everything a little girl would ask for a kuya. Thank you for being my kuya! (:

To Ms. D (terror print adviser! pis!), thank you for the support, for the encouragement to continue writing, I will always be a part of The Light. (:

To the 2000+ visits from the people who come and go to this blog, thank you!

and to the geniuses who invented blog, thank you for giving us, bloggers, a place to spill out our thoughts, a place to interact, and a place to develop awareness to the important events.

* * *

ANOTHER YEAR
ANOTHER LAYOUT!

To celebrate a eyar of blogging here in blogger, I made a new header for my blog. (:

Cheers to blogging!

Jesus Saves...once again

2008-05-16T19:19:00.004+08:00

In relation to my blog post Robbed, here is an event that had happened just this morning (as told by my tito Romie a.k.a Chome) which I can't believe myself.

10;30 am, our family had our breakfast together. Then, my tito showed up with a huge smile on his face. Then, he told us about his wonderful smile we only see once in a blue moon. It was 10 am when my tito woke up, walked out of the house near the pool to get his daily dose of morning fresh air together with a cup of coffee. While sipping his coffee, he saw scraps of wood and stone near the window where the robbers entered. He decided to clean up the area, and to his astonishment, he saw a gold pendant, without a chain. Its shape is a crucifix-Christ on the cross- which belongs to him. Of all the jewelries taken by the thieves, only the pendant was left. Now, we're wondering, of all things to be left, why is it the pendant.

Is it a miracle? We don't know. But one thing's for sure: God moves in mysterious ways. This event somehow gave us the feeling of ease, and assurance that things will be alright after the event. We're very thankful, despite the hundred thousands worth of jewelries stolen, we're left with a pendant that shields us from harm.

Fooled or what?

2008-05-13T18:21:00.003+08:00

I decided to head back to Las Pinas after fixing few things for school. I rode a jeep to Tayuman, and was seated beside a guy in blue polo and black pants. He approached me, asking for my number. I told him I don't give my number to strangers. He even asked my school, what course I take up and the like. I was scared, because I was approached by a person whom I totally don't know. Then, he told me that he went to visit his sister in her workplace, and without expectations, his pockets were picked. He asked me if I could give him 40 pesos for him to be able to go back home, told me he's not a bad person,that he's from UP Diliman, he's a born-again, and that he's willing to give his 2 phones for 40 pesos. I was about to give him 40 pesos but I remember my father telling me to be careful with people asking for money in the streets. Half of me wanted to help , and half of me wanted to just ignore what he asks of me. I just told him that I'll have to travel 1 hour to my destination. He told me If I could pay for his fare and give him 20 pesos (half of what he really needs) , and asked me where I was going. I payed for his fare, gave him twenty pesos and told him I'm going to Las Pinas. With enthusiasm, He told me that his grandmother lives in Pilar Village here in Las Pinas. Again, He asked for my number, but I refused to give my number. He gave me his name (my poor memory isn't working during that time), and I gave mine. We shook hands, and I told him there are so many bad guys in the area.
He was asking me some more questions, personal questions you won't expect from a total stranger. Few meters away, He told me that He's going. He asked the driver to stop the vehicle, told me to take care, thanked me and went away. A few moments after, I remember. He told me that He's going to Espana, and that the place where the driver dropped him off is meters away from the jeepney terminal going to Espana. Was I fooled or what?

I hope the money I lent him really helped, and that he's not into some modus operandi.
To where he used the money isn't my concern anymore. My only concern is to help those who needs my help.

Robbed!

2008-05-07T16:48:00.008+08:00

I was in my tita’s house in Las Piñas last Friday when my mother asked me to go home to comply with the requirements needed for my enrollment. I was having a second thought of coming home, thinking that it would be boring at home. My mother persuaded me to come home, so I decided to go home with my brother. Sunday night, our family watched a movie and had dinner together. During those times, we didn’t have the idea that something was happening in Las Piñas. The day after, my mom checked her phone and saw 11 missed calls from Las Piñas. My mom caught the next phone call, and it was my sister on the line. I didn’t have the idea what was happening, and my mom gave me that horrifying facial expression. I was worried, because I thought something bad happened to my sister, who is suffering from thyroid and potassium problems. After the phone call, my mom relayed the news to us: My tita’s house got robbed. Thousands worth of jewelries were stolen. The good thing is, everybody in Tita O’s house left for Mall of Asia. No one was hurt. Actually, my other tita decided to be left at home because she was having allergies and my sister wants to accompany her. Good thing they were convinced to go with everyone, because if not, they could have been killed. Why? Because the thieves equipped themselves with the gardening tools found in the laundry area, something they could use just in case somebody was left at home, and left it in every place they have inspected. God is really great, at least no one was left at home, and He didn’t permit those bad guys hurt anyone. The thieves intruded the house through the window of Tita Mar’s room. They ran into her closet and got all of her jewelries. Then, passed through the old laundry area, got the gardening tools, passed through the kitchen, went to Tita O’s room, bagged some jewelries (Thank God volt was invented!) and projector. The projector was found in the garden( I don’t know if it was done on purpose or what. . .) They also attempted to get into the old office but failed; the locks are just too good for them.

Here are some pictures of the crime scene:

The entry point

Projector in the garden
Robbers thought they could find something in the library
Tita Mar's room... everything was scattered.
Jewelry boxes found in the kitchenTita O's closet

Really, this event is tragic. Actually, Tita O and her family are set to leave on the 29th for Hawaii. Now, they are not quite sure if leaving is a good thing to do in this condition. We’re just thankful that no one was hurt; we just pray that everyone will be safe and that justice shall be given.
To the robber/s, our family wishes that you put your dirty earnings on good purpose. God is a witness to everything you do and justice shall be served to the ones who were deprived of it.
7th Commandment: YOU SHALL NOT STEAL.
10th: Commandment: YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GOODS.
Two mortal sins in the price of one crime.

Patience is a virtue.

2008-05-02T18:39:00.006+08:00

It's hard to be a teacher. That's a conclusion I was able to prove after being a teacher to my cousin for two days. My patience was at brink of collapsing, my hands are tired; my eyes ,teary, and know I am wondering how many great things a teacher must sacrifice for the good of her students.
My attention was called by my tita the day I came back to Las Pinas. She asked me to teach and review my cousin for she was about to take entrance exams two days after for the school she was applying for. I love teaching (it runs in the family, I guess. My mom is an economics professor while my tita taught design in U.P.) but my love for teaching was tested when me and my cousin had a one-on-one tutorial and review. For two days, we had Math. I prepared materials for our lessons, like rounding off numbers and etc., done research just to verify if my idea of the lessons she will have to take up was right, and prepared series of tests to check on how well she understands the things I will teach her.

Day 1: Patience is a virtue.
The very moment my tita asked me this favor of teaching my cousin, I immediately asked her to go with me and start with our tutorial session. She told me to give her 1 hour to prepare, and it was fine since I haven't eaten lunch yet. After exactly one hour, I asked her again, but she gave me these unreasonable excuses. I gave her the time she asked me, and we agreed that we start it at 6 in the evening. Our agreed time arrived, again she tried to escape, but this time I didn't permit her delaying tactics. We started our session, I discussed to her the lesson, gave her tips and all the things she needed for her to easily understand what I was teaching her, but she gave me this look that gave me this impression that she wasn't interested at all. I didn't mind what she was trying to tell, though.I just gave her exercises. She was yawning, and was not paying attention to the things I tell her. I was running out of patience. I was nearly shouting, explaining things to her even though we were just a foot away from each other. I asked her if she wants to go to that school, she should take the test seriously. Whoa. I wonder if I was as stubborn as her when I was a kid.

Day2: Is this true?
First thing in the morning today, I woke her up, and I told her to grab some breakfast before she goes for her exam. I asked her few questions about the things I taught her the day before. Some answers were right, and some were wrong. I was really worried. Worried that she might fail her test. I gave her tips on how to deal with problem solving and math tests, and let her cram a little bit before her departure. Few moments past, I was informed that she failed her math test. She was three correct answers away from the passing score. I felt disappointed, and I feel sorry for her at the same time. Am I that bad for a teacher? Failed math test means more days to prepare again for her math exam. Good thing the school allowed her to have a retake of the math exam. I hope this time, she'll take everything seriously. I don't want her to retain that impression that ate tricia is an evil teacher.

Oh well, this experience just gave me another reason to look up to teachers.

May God spare me more patience.

Hired: Secretary/Production Assistant/Designer/Clerk/Janitor

2008-04-30T15:58:00.007+08:00

After four days of sweat and weariness of moving things out to another office and assisting my tito with his pictorial jobs, I finally got my second salary in my entire life.
Why second? Because it is my second time having a summer job and it is also the second time I am doing the same jobs as I did in my previous summer job; that is to assist my tito with his pictorial jobs and organize things in their office. It's really nice having a summer job, especially for persons who are broke like me when summer arrives. Also, having a summer job is somewhat a break free from the summer break's boring days. Where do you find a job that kills time for you and pays you a lot? and oh, I almost forgot, and as your bosses are your uncle, aunts and your big sister, and after a day full of hard work you can have a dip in the pool alongside with your cuddly cousins? Though the job was really tough (If I could only cut my self into quarters just to fulfill all my tasks at the same time ) I enjoyed the company of my family and the jokes and chatters in between work loads. It's really nice. I'm really lucky compared to Phyllis, who tries her luck to have that secretarial job for a councilor in Manila City Hall. Don't ask me how many times she went to that councilor's office and how many times that councilor was late for the interviews. Good thing I don't have to undergo interviews and I got great bosses! Lucky me. Besides the money my summer job gives me and the time it kills for me, it also teaches me to be persevering (I'm real impatient!), and to somehow lessen my being bossy, and because of it I came to realize how hard it is to earn money. Having in my pocket my hard-earned money, I became "kuripot" just as how my mother tells me which is way too different to the "me" before. Everybody at home knew I had my pay, and they jokingly tell me "wow, bagong sweldo, pa-cheese burger ka naman!"Curse that advertisement. hahaha. It's really good to have a summer job. At least after that, I know how it's like to work in an office. And another thing I learned from the first week of my summer job: NCAE results are accurate. Why? because it tells there I excel less in clerical jobs. Hahaha.

By the way, I bumped into Jamie and her mom in the mall yesterday. A straightened hair really looks good on her. Told me she'll be taking up nursing in FEU with Charmaine Serdon. Hope you choose the right decision. If I were you I'll push through ad arts. Sayang yun! And hope you keep your long straight hair. (:

* * *

I was tagged by Kuya Redlan about10 things that recently made me happy. Kuya Redlan is one of the nicest people I met in the blogging world. Thank you po.

The RULE: Post 10 things that recently made you happy, then tag ten other people and spread the LOVE!

10. Passed all my Entrance Exams (except U.P.)

9. text message from schoolmates and teachers about my recent article on our school paper.

8. finally bought myself a green shirt

7. helped Kambz with her sleeping problems.
6. having a 20/20 vision.

5. Had my summer job

4. The possibility of being blockmates with Chery

3. Watched a movie and ate dinner with my family last Sunday.

2. Having been missed by my friends in the blogging world

1. I was granted full scholarship; meaning going to college wouldn't be a burden to my parents anymore. It just feels sooo good. (:

I want to share the love to Jamie, Gerald, Kuya Ayel, Marga and Yas

Earth day!

2008-04-22T22:21:00.005+08:00

It's earth day today, and even Google and Yahoo! are participating. HBO features An Inconvenient Truth, a documentary about Global Warming by Al Gore. I so love An Incovenient Truth because it's an eye opener for me. I became aware after I watched it. Catch it on HBO today 9:00 pm with replays on the following days. Think green!

Graduation. . .

2008-04-19T16:43:00.015+08:00

Every ending is just a new BEGINNING

After 4 academic years of pain-staking projects, modules and quizzes, and meeting deadlines, High school is officially over for me. But high school is indeed, something you won’t forget for the rest of your life. It taught me to become more responsible, to be independent, and to have a positive outlook in life w
hich I didn’t have when I was still in elementary.
June 2004, freshman days! It was scary, because I have heard that high school is something you must take seriously. And the worst, I learned from my mom that there will be a pilot section and that, my name is listed in that section. I knew that there will be great competition among the students, and that, my classmates are the least people I’m expecting to be in the same class as me. But days passed, they weren’t that bad at all, and I feel so bad because the things I thought about them were just all rumors. Bad. On the contrary, I enjoyed the company of my classmates and of course, our class adviser, our ever-loving and kind “Jollibee”, Mr. Arjan Espiritu. Despite our differences, egos, and the rumors that went flying about our class, we still held onto that faith of our adviser, that no matter what, we will always be together, through thick and thin. Though the pressure is undeniable. Everyone said our class was one of the noisiest classes among freshmen, but it’s just fine because our adviser believes that all the noise that comes from our room were all academic noise. Talk about a good excuse, huh? I am just so thankful I became part of I-Truth, because if I did not, I won’t be buddies with my “Kambz” (kambal), Phyllis Janine O. Medina, and Chery and I won’t be best friends. There will be no other I-Truth in ESPS, because a year after, the section Truth in freshmen was abolished.
Sophomore. End of sufferings. Pilot sections were dismissed! New classmates in II- Our Lady of Peñafrancia. It was like transferring to another school. It was really hard, because I was not that friendly during that time, and that people thought that I was a geek because I don’t talk with my seatmates and that I came from a pilot section. It was like getting out of my comfort zone. I felt the discrimination. But I didn’t give up because I knew some people in our class and it’s like getting reacquainted with old friends during elementary. But things went fine because I was able to get along with them, I found new friends in them, and I was able to prove them that stereotypes about a student from a pilot section were all wrong. And who will forget our ever-fashionista and kikay Mrs. Natividad? Mrs. Natividad was more like a mother to me rather than a teacher. She really encourages us to do our best, and corrects us whenever we have mistakes. I will never forget that first day of classes, when she entrusted me the whole class without having any idea who on earth I am. Up until this very day, Mrs. Priscilla Natividad will always be a mother to me. Except that subject she teaches that I felt that motherly care, Advanced Algebra. Who would have thought, that I’ll be friends with wonderful people, like Hanna Marquez, Kristin Luy, Ivy Lopez, Joyce Beltran, Mark Miranda, Clarence De Ramos, and Leona Panganiban? And oh, Chery and I , for the nth time, belonged to the same class again, and it pissed me off! Hahaha!
Junior year! The joy and support you get from fun-loving classmates was really something you won’t forget in high school. Our class, III-St. John Bosco, was known for our noise, our pranks on teachers, and being exceptionally talented class in school. Honestly speaking, when a teacher explodes in front of our class, it’s like watching a comedian trying-hard to throw jokes to make the audience laugh. Making a fool out of some of the teachers was one of the past times our class had. But what’s so good about this section is that, we never deny our wrong doings and we stand on what we believe. Cooperation is never a problem in this section. When we want to do something, all we have to do is to disseminate the things to be accomplished, assign the task, and assist. That’s why our class is known for that “Maingay ngunit mahusay” label. Often times, our class was being compared to other classes. It felt good, because despite our wrong doings, they appreciate our efforts to make up for our bad. But our section’s winning has never gone to our heads. I will never forget “Janice” for supporting us all through out and for being on our side most of the times, T.E.O.N : Joart, Melvin, AJ Ng, AJ “banlag” Pamintuan, Carlos, Kenneth, Rustico, Pauler, Lawrence ,The F family, Jordan, Leslie, Princess , Dianne and to Adrian and Jeka, who proved that distance is never a hindrance to make relationships last, because Adrian is currently in Australia, and Jeka recently migrated to the States, and finally, STITCHES: Anna, Gena, Tin, Hanna, Liezl, Nette, Jillian, Stela and Phyllis, I will never forget those kulitan and “pakyut” moments and your love for pictures.
SENIOR NA’KO! That’s what I’ve been boasting to my old class advisers. They’re very happy for me, for I know that they really want to send our batch off from school. Why? Because our batch was known to be the “worst batch.” We do all the rambles, the fights, the drinking and even weeds, sad to say, but not all of us, of course. There are still good ones. But hey, our batch has the best artists, best dancers and performers. And that was proven to us by my dear adviser, Ms. Galang. She’s strict, she’s scary, she sticks to her words, and yes, she’s a real mother to us. Ms. Galang is someone I look up to in school. So when I knew that she will be my adviser in my last year in high school, I was happy and scared at the same time, because she’s my MAPEH teacher back in second year. But her being my adviser and teacher are two different things. When you belong to her advisory class, she’ll bring out the best in you; she’ll correct your mistakes, and help you through your problems. Often times, you’ll feel that cold treatment from her, but she’s doing things for her class in her own way, and you’ll definitely have no idea that it was her who helped you out. She’s an epitome of discipline and cleanliness. As for IV-St. Raymond, we had problems during the first few days about our class’ unity, but we were able to fix it. We had groups in the class, but that has never been a hindrance for us to carry on the glory of our section. Our class is known to be the most active and systematic class among the fourth years. Everyone participates during class discussions and everyone knows his/her job. We our often scolded because of our mess, but we never messed out our promise to our adviser: to be ahead of everybody. With that, I’m very proud to be in Raymond, and the people I met there: the girls of Tropangotz: Bamba, Angie, Gela, Jela, Mia, Aila, Clang, Julie, Aimee, The DotA boys, Bords, Aiz, Danica and Cy, Thoñia, Joan, Carlo, Gen, Kevin, and Mel, and to my long-time friend- the “almighty ‘kulot’ HALEr”, Shelah.
All in all, I may have fooled around during those four years, I may have not taken my studies seriously, I may not have been the student everyone expects me to be, but I’m just so grateful because I found real friends during those four years, and I felt the motherly care of my teachers, especially my advisers. I promise to study harder in college and I will do that for the people I love, high school may have ended, but it’s never late to correct thins out. Every ending is just a new beginning.
March 27, 2008: Graduation day for seniors. Really, a lot of people anticipated this day, for our batch is known as the worst batch our school has had. It’s hard to accept that everyone in school calls us the worst batch, but hey, it was fun, except for the rule-violating part. Till the last days, teachers scolded us and told us we’re junks. It was pretty bad that they see us like that, but hopefully, when we enter college, we’ll prove them that we don’t deserve such under-the-belt words.
To all my teachers, and advisers, to Ms. D, The Light staffers, classmates, friends and best friends, Thank you for making my high school life wonderful, thanks for making me realize that there are things that cannot be learned from books, and those are, to love and to love back whole heartedly and unconditionally. Thank you!
To my parents, thank you for letting me through High school, thank you for working hard just to send me to school and give me what I need. Thank you because I never felt that you put pressure on me, and for supporting all the things I do. Thank you for guiding me although often times when I ask your help for my home works, you fail to help me because you’re both busy on work. But don’t you worry, all your efforts to support our family are appreciated, and I am so grateful I have wonderful parents I will never exchange of anything or anyone.
To my dear Alma Mater, thank you for nourishing me with all the good things, thank you for instilling in me knowledge that will help me fight the battles of life and I will always defeat obstacles in your glory, and in the glory of God.
To the Father, thank you for granting me wisdom and knowledge to pass through high school, thank you for guiding me always and for giving me teachers, friends, classmates and a family who keep me sane. Thank you God, for showering us with your blessings and make us worthy to share in your love.
Whoa. This is a lengthy one. To the one reading this, thank you for having the patience, and to the persons who ignored this, that’s fine, I understand. (:

few pics. . .

Patricia Mae Loyola Ferrer, Espiritu Santo Parochial School graduate batch 2007-2008, heading to college! Yey! (:

Balut Over Hotdogs

2008-03-11T19:11:00.001+08:00

Mouth-watering foods, children playing in the city streets, warm and friendly neighbors, and nature’s wonder all in one package; is there a certain place as such? Surprisingly, I found these beauties in a place where most Filipinos would have never thought about.Last week, my ate’s foreign friend visited our country all the way from Milwaukee, USA. It was his first time to travel. When I learned about this, I thought about asking my ate why is it that he’s from the US and yet he haven’t been to New York, or in any states in America (except from his hometown) at least, where people would most wanted to go? I asked this question to my sister but she failed to give me a good answer. Also, I learned from her that he was ecstatic about seeing seas and lakes because he had never seen one back home. I thought he was just joking, but it was true. Hey, we have great seas and lakes here! There is an advantage living in the Philippines, after all. At least, I could save myself from the shame of not knowing the difference between a lake and a pond.

That’s one.The Philippines is a diversity of cultures and traditions, and is shown in millions of ways. One is food. When my ate’s friend visited my grandma’s place where he met everyone in the family, he placed himself in a culinary adventure. My aunt and cousins made him try green mangoes and bagoong, fish balls, and buko juice. I thought about seeing him heave over that bagoong, which, the Spaniards thought, was a foul-smelling rotten fish eaten by Filipinos. Surprisingly, he actually liked it. I realized it’s cool to have street foods, because food would have been boring without them.

Two is the Filipinos’ hospitality. Before when that friend of my sister came, I thought of the impression of the foreigners to the Filipinos being warm and jolly was a fake. After witnessing our relatives’ reception to our guest, I knew it was real. And that really made me proud as a Filipino. Three is our natural wonders. I was not that appreciative about seas and mountains and great natural wonders here in the Philippines. Wonderland for me is Paris, where I could see the Eiffel tower glittering in a night sky, and meet the living and breathing Mona Lisa in Louvre Museum. But when I knew about my ate’s friend’s case, I felt lucky because I won’t have to spend gazillion of bucks for air freight just to get a good look of a mountain and have that great encounter with the setting sun by the sea. And I felt stupid at the same time, because I was longing for that trip to a wonderland called Paris, but I failed to realize that the Philippines, my home, is a wonderland in itself.

Having all these realizations, I knew I should learn more about my own country, and appreciate all the god-given graces bestowed upon us. Inevitably, the Philippines had its fair share of both economic and political slump. US could have gotten all the good things in terms of money, power and politics which every Filipino dreams of. The American way of living is being standardized by almost all nations which is very evident in our country. We might not have all the money and power, but we do have treasures to be discovered by people, most especially by Filipinos. It’s a pity we can’t make it to the top, but it made all the difference. At least, there are things that are yet to be discovered here in the Philippines. Well I guess Balut finally made its way off from hotdogs.

W.O.W

2008-02-29T16:39:00.007+08:00

Sobrang tagal ko na palang wala dito! more than a month na! Pero good thing may bumibisita pa rin kahit papano...

So what made me busy? Syempre, unang-una, school. ANG HIRAP MAGING SENIOR. The pressure you get from the teachers... lalo na kung may after-school activities pa. At may coordinator na naghahabol sayo para lang sa overdued articles for the school paper. At kabi-kabilang admission exams to different schools. hay.

Secondly, School pa rin. Submission of requirements na, and next week, it's our final exams in high school. yey. Sa Wakas.

Third, as for my wish on my previous post, I passed both USTET and PLMAT! I passed Medical Technology as my first choice, but I failed in Advertising Arts. Silly. I guess I really am not the third generation of our family's representative at UST's Faculty of Arts and Letters. Buti na lang. I really don't like it. I just don't know what has gone into my mind when I decided to have that as my second choice. I made it to PLM, too. I didn't expect that. That was really a spoiled surprise, thanks to my cousin, Mariel. Now the big question is, alin sa dalawa? What do you think?

To have you guys the idea about the schools, here are some facts courtesy of Wikipedia.
PLM

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila in English, commonly abbreviated as PLM, or simply Pamantasan), is the largest city government-funded, tuition-free,university in the Philippines. It also holds the distinction of being the first Philippine institution of higher learning to have its official name in Filipino.

The Philippines' Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has considered PLM as a model for public institutions across the Philippines. Furthermore, it has cited several PLM programs and departments as Centers of Excellence. A study using cumulative data from 1999 to 2003 showed that during the said period PLM was among the top five schools in the Philippines in terms of board exam passing rate. In the same study, it was one among three public universities in the top ten category.

PLM criticizes the Times Higher Education Supplement opinion surveys and the now-defunct Asiaweek rankings for what PLM considers as elitist views of higher education and criteria that do not apply to the unique landscape of each participating universities. PLM was not among the schools that were selected for ranking or participation by either survey.

PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently cited PLM for having a "culture of excellence," and for its accomplishments in various fields.

UST

The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines (or simply the "University of Santo Tomas", "UST" or affectionately, "Ustê"), is a private Roman Catholic university run by theOrder of Preachers in Manila. One of the world's largest Catholic universities in terms of population, it was founded on April 28, 1611 by the Spanish Reverend Miguel de Benavides. It has the oldest extantuniversity charter in the Philippines. It is the oldest and the largest university in the city of Manila.

The University is composed of several autonomous faculties, colleges, schools and institutes, each conferring undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and the basic education units. Several degrees have been accredited by the Commission on Higher Education as Centers of Development and Centers of Excellence.

give me your suggestions! I need them. Thanks po.

So nice to be back! I missed you all. 1 week na lang, konting tiis na lang! As promised, magpo-post talaga ako ng bonggang-bongga. hahaha. Love that gay linggo. (:

Admission Exams...

2008-01-16T17:21:00.000+08:00

To answer those questions from Kuya Ayel and Kris: no, I didn't pass the UPCAT.
Now what bugs me the most is if I'll be able to pass the other entrance exams I have taken.

UP is both me and my father's dream. Not seeing myself on the list of the qualifiers really made me depressed. But what shall I do? I always knew from the very beginning that I won't pass the UPCAT. Maybe I passed the test, but I don't know about passing the rest of the qualifications.
So what made me think I won't be able to pass the UPCAT?
1. I applied for quota courses. BS Biology, BS Psychology and Political Science
2. The campuses I have applied for. One is UP Manila, and the other, UP Diliman.
3. The number of applicants. I was just one of the 25,000 applicants who took the exam.

Having these things in my mind, I knew I won't pass the test. And so, it did happen.
But hey, it's not too late.If I really want to make it to UP, there's another way. That is, to maintain a grade not lower than 2.00 for 33 units then transfer to UP. True it is, despair makes you stronger and wiser . If I'm not meant for UP, then I'll make myself a way to UP. Well, it's good to know that I'm not the only hopeful for this plan, one of my closest friend, Phyllis, thinks of the same thing. We will certainly familiarize ourselves in UP next school year.

I'm just so thankful I have great parents. I'll make it to UP for them.
Afterall, it's not just me who wants to go to UP badly. 76 students took the UPCAT in our school. And only 2 passed the UPCAT. Bin, our valedictorian, and Carlos the salutatorian. Now that made sense. But I'll be in UP in an academic year's time. Optimism. That's one thing to learn before I get into the battle of college life.

"Your life right now is a reflection of your past thoughts. That includes all the great things, and all the things you consider not so great. Since you attract to you what you think about most, it is easy to see what your dominant thoughts have been on every subject of your life, because that is what you have experienced."-Rhonda Byrne, The Secret

UST or PLM, hope I'll pass both.
(:

one to twenty...

2008-01-13T13:41:00.000+08:00

Thanks to bb_anne for this tag. (:
The Rule: Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 10 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged. Whoever does the tag will have blessings from all.

1. At what age do you wish to marry? hmmm... maybe after I turn 25 and before I get to my thirties... or at the age where me and my partner have stable jobs.
2. What color do you like most? I love all colors!
3. If one of your friends will leave and migrate,what would be the last thing you’ll say to him/her? "ang makalimot, babatukan!"- this is for STITCHES.
4. Where is the place that you want to go the most? Paris
5. Which part of you that you love the most? My being daughter to my parents, I'm so lucky to have parents like my mom and dad.
6. When you encounter a sad moment what would you do? three things: pray, think and cry
7. What are you afraid to lose the most? My parents!
8. Who is Jesus Christ in your life? a best friend, a savior, and an inspiration
9. If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her? if I have enough courage, why not?
10. If there is one thing you wish to tell the whole world, what would it be? That this girl typing these words is not the silent person everyone thinks of her and she is born to dominate the world! haha.
11. How many children do you want to have when u get married? a twin..a boy and a girl
12. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most? I wish I grabbed the opportunity to take piano lessons when I was a kid.
13. Which type of person do you hate the most? Backstabbers!
14. If you had one wish what would you wish for? That things will go my way, with the inspiration of God, of course.
15. Song you hate? Girlfriend by Kamikazee! grrrr....
17. Do you believe in soul mates? hmmm..yes..no..i don't know..
18. It’s already 2008. Do you have a new year’s resolution? I'm giving up drinking soda.
19. Name of that someone you love. God, family and friends
20. What on earth are you here for? to be an instrument of God's love and be a living evidence of God's greatness.

I'm tagging the following people:
mga kuya ulit..hehe.
Redlan
Aethen
Ayel
Quincy
Jamie
Arjay
Kris
Petra
Joyce
Rai

* * *

As you can see, It's been ages since my last post. Tama ka, kuya Arjay, school's making me busy at the moment. It's the last quarter for my last year in high school and fourth qurater for the seniors is the most crucial part of high school. Sorry if it takes me too long for another post! Hope you understand! Pls. pray that I'll pass all the admission exams I took. hehe.

Hayaan niyo, when March arrives, magpo-post ako ng bonggang-bongga. haha.

See you all-er-soon?
(:

High Five!

2008-01-06T20:19:00.000+08:00

Since this would be my last post for my will-ever-be-missed Christmas break (may pasok na bukas!), and haunted ang utak ko as of this moment sa mga horrors ng first day ng classes for 2008, I'll just answer this meme from Kuya Redlan to partially relieve the stress I'm having right now and will be having starting tomorrow.

1. Name one thing you do everyday.
- having a silent moment inside my room and think.

2. Name two things you wish you could learn.
- photography
- creative writing

3. Name three things that remind you of your childhood.
- Barbie dolls
- Leotards
- Dress with heavy pettycoats for Christmas

4. Name fings you love to eat but rarely do.
-Sugpo!

-Yellow Cab's Anchovy Lovers

-Marang

-Mangosteen!

5. Name five things that make you feel good.
- having a silent moment inside my room and think.
- full company of family and friend- sleeping
- capturing photos
- finish reading a book

I'm tagging Kuya Ayel, Aethen, Kris, Jamie and Elyas

Jumpstart.

2008-01-03T18:11:00.001+08:00

On New Year's eve, I was sick. I suffered from a really bad headache. But I didn't allow that headache spoil my new year's eve. I grabbed the lighter from the kitchen, went outside the porch and grabbed some firecrackers. I went outside, it was really cold. But still, the thought of my being sick on new year's eve will make me horrible, so I just forget about that headache and indulged myself with the magnificent fireworks in the sky and lighted then quickly threw those firecrackers. I don't want to get back to school with a finger missing. Who wants that? No one. The sky was illuminated with colorful fireworks shimmering in the dark sheets of the last midnight of year 2007. I'll be sorry if I just let myself inside the house with everyone enjoying the bangs and booms made by the firecrackers. Morning of January 1, we quickly prepared all the foods to be brought at Nanay's house. It is a family tradition to get together at Nanay's and bring some food for the rest of the family to enjoy. Also, we have this annual gift-giving. For several years, we had it through raffle, and for this year, each member of the family tried their luck through playing bingo. It was really fun. I would have been more than sorry if I didn't attend.

(From left to right: That's Tita Rose (more known as "pasimuno"), Chome (Tito Romie, the "barker"), Tito Joel, Mama Imay and Ate Honey.)

We actually forgot about the time. Everyone was having a great time. Hoping that the missing number for their bingo card would be called, everyone was anticipating for bringing home the prizes. I must say the prizes are awesome!Those are the prizes at the table and my bingo card. There are packs of yummy popcorn, gift cheques worth 500 and a thousand, 1000 and 500 pesos, wines, a coffee maker, microwavable pans with food stuffs included, a huge pack of Ferrero Rocher, a pack of Toblerone and what else...I forgot some of the stuffs. Who wouldn't want to win in any of the games?
That's my card. I'm just a number away from that 1000 bucks! Well, it isn't my lucky day, I haven't got any of the prizes, so sad. But that's okay, the fun we had can never be as worthy as those prizes. After the games, we just ate ad planned to go to Global Fun-Mall of Asia together. But it's New year so we assumed that there will be loads of people in there. So we came to the decision not to go. Just some other time, I guess. And it isn't the perfect time for me to go and try those rides for myself. I'm still sick.

On the 2nd day of the year, we cleaned up the entire house and kept all the christmas decors. You can't see any traces of Christmas inside the house. Then I just got some rest, and finally recovered from that fever.

And today, everyone here is back on business. I browsed on my school stuffs to refresh my mind about school, so I don't get in any trouble when the classes resume. Then I got another thing to do for Titio Joel. I got another designing project from Luna Design. This time I will have to reinvent those designed plates, do some sketches of it and paint those design on the plates. Yey.

Few sketches of the plates.

The plates I'll have to paint on.

The design I have to revise.

And that made perfect sense. 2008 means work. That's it. (:

Back to business. Chop chop!

Happy New Year...

2007-12-31T20:09:00.000+08:00

If my memory serves me right, this would be my first-ever blog post in full Taglish. Oo na, taglish na. Bakit? kasi New Year na. At ang maganda pa dun ay may sakit ako ngayon. Siguro dahil kulang ako sa tulog, siguro dahil sa sobrang pagod...I have no idea. At sa lahat naman ng pagkakataon, New Year pa. At isa na rin sa dahilan kung bakit taglish ang gamit ko kasi masakit na nga ang ulo ko, at ayoko nang pigain pa lalo ang utak ko. Thank God at mataas naman ang pain threshold ko. This is definitely a New Year's Eve to remember. At hindi lang pala ako ang nakakadama ng sakit, pati pala si Domingo Enriquez or more known as Dinggo, isang asong pinoy. Nakadungaw siya sa akin ngayon at umuungol dahil sa mga putok na hindi niya karaniwang naririnig araw-araw.

Whoa. So New Year na nga. Ano nga bang nangyari nung 2007? Madami kung iisa-isahin, may masaya, may malungkot. Sana naman sa 2008 mas maging masaya, dahil nangangamba ako at hindi ko taon ngayon. year of the rat di ba? Ayon sa News, malas daw ang mga year of the Horse... at nase-sense ko na dahil umaga pa lang ngayong araw kung anu-ano na ang nagyari sa akin. Una, nakabasag ako ng glass. Pangalawa, natapunan ako ng egg yolk habang tumutulong sa paggawa ng leche flan. Pangatlo, muntik nanaman ako makabasag. Pang-apat, nagkasakit ako. Panglima, muntik na ako madulas dahil sa tubig na tumapon malapit sa fridge. Alam ko clumsy ako at times pero hindi naman ako ganun ka-clumsy, 5 supposedly accidents in one day? Whew. buti na lang at mabait si Lord at ang worst scenarion ngayong araw ay ang matapunan ng itlog sa legs. Eww.

2007. Sa government, madaming nangyari, at di kakayanin ng powers ko ngayon kung iisa-isahin ko pa. Ang highlight dun yung Makati siege, Subic Rape Case, and failed attempts for an impeachment of the president. At inevitable naman na lumalakas ang peso against dollars, ( ayun wish ko this year, maging $1=1 php, pero napakaselfish ko naman, kawawa naman yung mga pinoy abroad.) Sa showbiz, wala hindi ako interesado. Haha. Sa fashion, skinny jeans for girls! Sa guys naman, hmmm, ano ba, skinny jeans din yata. So far, maganda naman ang kinalabasan ng 2007, let's just leave all the things that brought us worries, after all, tapos na rin naman eh.

Hmmm, 2007 went ok. Madaming problems, at hindi nanaman bago yun. If I'm not mistaken na-state ko na lahat-lahat sa blog na ito, that's why all the things stated in this blog and the people involved are so precious to me. Ayun, for 2007, I received so much from this blog. Great advices, appreciation and a number of new-found friends, nothing can be greater than that. So friends, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for making 2007 a great year for me. Thank you! Thanks sa mga kuya-kuyahan, Kuya Redlan, for making me laugh most of the time
Kuya Ayel, for inspiring me; Kuya Aethen, for giving me the drive to go on with studies, just the way you do; once lost Kuya Quincy, for the great advices that equips me to the battle of life; Jamie, for the "kakulitan", Kris (social critic) for letting me sneak in your blog and for that memorable award; Elyas for the seminarista adventures (haha), and to you who reads this post, thank you!

I must say na dinumog alaga ako ng kalungkutan nung 2007, pero masaya ako dahil lahat naman ng lungkot na iyon ay nag-settle.
1. Ignorance about the bonds between me and Chery, thanks to Bamba for asking her!
2. Lola, thank you at hindi siya masyadong na-depress about lolo's death.
3. Moving in. Mahirap yung adjustment kasi ang layo ng school sa bahay. I am one-and-a-half hours away from school. No wonder na ang tardiness sa report card.
4. Campus journalism. Sakit sa ulo! good thing it's my last year! yey!

at madami pang iba!

So, that was year 2007. All in all, masaya. I thank God for giving me another year to live with the people I love.

Happy New Year! Sa wakas, at natapos rin. I have so much to say, pero di ko na kaya ang sakit ng ulo ko. So, I'm OUT!

New Year's Resolution?? Forget it!!!

it's the most wonderful time of the year...

2007-12-27T17:39:00.001+08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year
(Most wonderful time)
With the kids jingle-belling
And everyone telling you
Be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
(Wonderful time)

It's the hap-happiest season of all (wonderful time)
With those holiday greetings
And great happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for roasting
And caroling out in the snow (out in the snow)
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There be much mistletoe-ing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year, ooh ah

Woah, there'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for roasting
And caroling out in the snow (out in the snow)
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year (most
wonderful time)
There be much mistletoe-ing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near (loved ones are near)
It's the most wonderful time (wonderful time)
It's the most wonderful time (wonderful time)
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

This is the song I was singing for three consecutive days until Christmas. Tama. LSS (Last Song Syndrome) nga. I love hearing this song especially when Ellen DeGeneres dances around the stage, with that huge red-wrapped present. It made me dance, too. haha. Christmas is, indeed, the most wonderful time of the year. People get to reacquaint through gatherings and reunions, share gifts and eat, eat, and eat. And I'm wondering how many tons of garbage did the christmas wrappers made and how many pounds did you guys gained? Anyway, I had a wonderful Christmas, I got great gifts from my titas and titos, and I'm so rich again (in my dreams, of course. And after being broke for some weeks because of the candies-see my "tindahan" post- I finally refilled my wallet which had been nearly empty for some weeks.)

So how I celebrated Christmas? me and some family attended the last simbang gabi (good thing I was able to rise up early, so that's an achievement there) and prepared loads of food for Christmas Eve, attended Misa De Aguinaldo (it's my first time) and ate, ate, and ate.
*two pictures of the Misa De Aguinaldo at Mary Immaculate Nature Chruch in Las Pinas*the flip-flops I received from mother ( complements my PJs and my ugly feet. haha)

At exactly 12 midnight we opened our presents, and ate again, and got some sleep for the 25th, went to Nanay's house, opened new sets of presents from the other aunts and uncles, and ate again. But there are a lot of things missing, to be missed, and being missed.

1. My two brothers and my dad. It's my first time to spend Christmas without them. They are in Davao for my lola. We are supposed to get there, but time and availability of flights didn't permit us.
2. My lolo. It's his birthday on Christmas Day. Now that he's gone, Christmas is totally different especially for my dad and my lola.
3. Nanay (my lola on my mother's side). She passed away, too, like my lolo. Nanay supervises all the preparations for gatherings especially Christmas because that is the only day every member of the family is around.
4. Hot chocolate! Nanay usually makes us her specialty, hot chocolate for Christmas Eve. Now that she's not with us anymore we might never taste a cup of hot chocolate stirred with love again.
5. It's the last Christmas the Enriquezes (Tita O, Tito Joel, and Joey) would spend here. They will be moving in US next year.

Oh well, that's life. At least we have food, gifts and stories to share. Imagine those people who are deprived of these things. Don't you just feel how lucky we are? Still, despite of the things missing, to be missed and being missed, I'm still happy to spend Christmas with the people I most love, with the things we share, and the opportunity to make up for the lost time. I thank God for those things.

* * *

Deleting text messages from the past.

Texts from a fight yesterday

Or from a love of two years

Or from the morning that brought bad news.

I DELETED and
a huge burden disappeared.

I DELETED and my mind thinks it's
easier to forgive & forget.

-A certain message from YM made me recall of this line. Well, that made my Christmas merry.

*Random Pictures*
The pair of shoes I bought for Christmas. Love it.

Diana... why cant I have thou?

2007-12-22T18:28:00.001+08:00

If there is one material gift I wanted Santa to give me this Christmas, that would be a a lomo starter kit or a Diana. I know it will take me ages to raise money just to buy these babies, and I'm just trying to poke Santa wishing that my simple wish be granted for I have been a good girl. haha. So what was I talking about? Clearly, you don't understand any word I've said-or in this case, typed- I was just dreaming of that sunny day, traveling the outskirts of the city capturing every single scene I've seen with a lomography camera. Lomography? Never heard? Yeah, I was just familiar with the way images it captured but I don't have any idea what was lomography about. Thank God there's my dear friend Google to save the day, together with Wikipedia. According to my pal wiki:" Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography.Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy faccidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique." Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the Lomo
LC-A's small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography, photo reportage, and photo vérité.^"^{Now you know. And the good thing about this tech}^{nique,
there ar}^{e no rules to be followed! just click on your lomo camera and forget about subjects!
Cool huh?
Here are some pics captured using a Diana}
And the wish that will remain a wish for the coming years......
And my TH-as in Tried Hard "lomo-lomohan"(as told by my ate) picture-I hope you bear with this image. haha.
Santa, all I wish this Christmas are world peace, good health to my family, relatives and friends, and a Diana. (:

* * *

Without having any idea what was I doing last summer for my tita I never thought the thing that paid me 250 a day last summer would mean a cover for travel journal. Yes, last summer I had my first ever paid job at my tita O's company and she asked me to paint some pictures on watercolor. I didn't know she really made use of the pics I've painted. I've just realized this last Thursday, when she asked me to wrap a a notebook. The notebook seemed familiar, and alas! I knew it was my work.and there it is. The monsterpiece that paid me 250 bucks.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! (:

Happiness Licensure Exams

2007-12-11T17:21:00.000+08:00

Obstacles in life are tests which mold us to our better selves. This is a common line we used to hear from those whom we seek advice in times of doubts and troubles. Also, this is an assurance from God that all the bad things happening in our lives are just tests if we are worthy for His love and if we are deserving to experience greatness with Him. Although this cliché per se is convincing, having only the words won't bring us any good.

I was inspired by Kuya Ayel's current post, Gaining Control Over Desire. The thought of controlling one's desire sounds easy, but the test comes if we really show discipline on wanting something badly. This reminded me of what my Rel. Ed. teacher have said: You are just thinking about stealing one' property, you already have committed a sin against God. Considering this fact, how are we able to control ourselves if the mere thought of desire which is not yet done into execution is already considered a sin? How are we going to avoid thinking about desires which pleases our materialistic senses? Plus, how are we able to do away from these things if we are surrounded by them? These questions now blur our vision about obstacles in life. We now think of desires as sinful things. Now this idea tests how disciplined we are in times when desires are just a grip away from our hands. There can only be two things involved: the right and the wrong. The right tells us to do away with luxury and live life in simplicity, while the other dictates that we can live with all pleasure with almost no efforts done. If we do the right thing, we feel self satisfaction. If we do wrong, we feel satisfaction as well, but eventually the consequence just arrives without having the idea how to deal with them. That's the difference. Shortcuts won't give us any good. It's better to go through rough than with conscience bugging you when you most needed a good night sleep.

Just be optimistic, and have this optimism reach God's channel, and everything will turn out fine. When you go through bad, then you have every right to enjoy what bitterness has brought you. Through worse we can only be awarded the license to obtain real happiness.

-Again, I give credits to Kuya Ayel for his wonderful post. This is yet another eye-opener. (:

"Twixt optimist and pessimist -the difference is droll:the optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist sees the hole."-McLandburgh Wilson (1892)

After 48 years...

2007-12-09T15:40:00.001+08:00

After three months, the results of the NCAE (National Career Assessment Exam) finally reached my hands. The result was expected to be released last month (Nah, what do I expect.) But hey, the results are accurate.

As you can see, I still got low scores in Math and NVA. The result is really, really accurate. haha. It tells I really am not meant to work in an office even in a bank. Office works and numbers make me sick. I am surprised with the score I got in Entrepreneurial skills. I do not know I somehow have the making of a business woman.

Potentials/ Inclinations of Students Based on NCAE Results

Reading Comprehension: This measures the ability to understand which has been stated directly; to analyze, interpret. and criticize what has been read; to recognize reasonable application of principles or opinions expressed by the author. A student with high RC has the potential to make sound inferences, syntheses, generalizations, or conclusions on what he/she reads. Students who possess the skills will most likely succeed in courses that involve public speaking and even writing such as mass communication, teaching, theology, and law.

Verbal Ability: This subtest measures the assertive ability of a person in view of grammatical rules and logical arrangement of ideas. Individuals with high VA have high sense of analogy; hence, they have potential in mass communication. law, teaching, and preaching vocation. Those with average VA can be developed in advertising careers.

OCCUPATIONAL FIELD OF INTEREST: Outdoor(1st)
Investigative (2nd)

It says there:
Outdoor Interest: This means that you enjoy working with naturalistic environment such as plants and animals. Examples of which are the following: landscaping workers, poultry/dairy farmers, cattle ranchers, fishermen, agriculturists, horticulturists, zoologists, agronomists, botanists, geologists, and marine biologists.

Investigative Interest: This means that you enjoy activities which require mental work or thinking skills. Examples: dieticians, nutritionists, biochemists, physicists, astronomers, anthropologists, archaeologists, geographers, historians, psychiatrists,clinical psychologists, physicians, dentists, respiratory therapists, medical technologists...

Mathematics....why oh why?...

Tagged. and Critiqued.

2007-12-07T20:25:00.002+08:00

After secretly sneaking in my blog a few days passed, I noticed John's comment on my "Tindahan" post telling he tagged me. I badly wanted to respond with the good people who gave their appreciation with my recent post, but sadly, school demands didn't allow me to do so. After a very loooong week, I'm finally back in the circuit, and I'll be giving a bash! haha. Anyway, to make this post relevant to its title, I shall be starting now this first-ever meme.

What to do:
1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months (see below).
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a
comment for them.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it!

It so happened that I was born on September 15, 1990.

Suave and compromising.-hmmm...maybe a bit, but not with the suave part. I'm sooo clumsy! Careful, cautious and organized.- Huwat!? reverse psychology ba ito?
Likes to point out people’s mistakes. -I must admit it.
Likes to criticize. -I can no more agree. And I feel sorry for myself because I can't see the wrong on me.
Stubborn.-Always. Sometimes. Never. I dunno!
Quiet but able to talk well. -a big N-O! Why do people keep saying I'm quiet while I'm not?
Calm and cool. -not really. Whenever there's something happening, I'm the one who panics the most.
Kind and sympathetic.-maybe. sana.
Concerned and detailed.-yeah. detailed? People often tells that I'm the perfectionist. I don't have any idea if I really am the one they are referring to.
Loyal but not always honest.- honest ako ah!
Does work well. -yeah!
Very confident. -not really. I fear audience!
Sensitive.-Very sensitive. That's one of the bad things me and my sisters got from mom. haha.
Good memory.-How I wish! I hated memorizing formulas!
Clever and knowledgeable.-maybe.
Loves to look for information.-yeah, especially when I am interested on certain things.
Must control oneself when criticizing.- I really must.
Able to motivate oneself.-yep.
Understanding.-my friends tell I am understanding. But I think I'm being inconsiderate, too.
Fun to be around.- I go gaga whenever I'm with friends. I am not the quiet kid everybody thought of me. Ask my friends and you'll see the real tricia.
Secretive. -yes. I'd rather keep my problems than share it to somebody. I dunno why.
Loves leisure and traveling.- absolutely! The header of this blog speaks well for it: "The adventures of the world's greatest traveler-wannabe"
Hardly shows emotions.- Not really. At the age of 17, I'm still a crybaby.
Tends to bottle up feelings.-not at all.
Very choosy, especially in relationships.- No, I don't select friends. As long as we have the connection and we share something, we're good.
Systematic-yeah, I organize things ahead of time and have things planned first before getting it into action.

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who loves them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care of what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

whew! It's done! I want these people to react on their supposed traits according to their month of birth. I'll be starting this with my four kuyas in the blogosphere.

1.Kuya Ayel
2.Kuya Redlan
3. Kuya Aethen
4. Kuya Aethen
5. Kris (a.k.a. the critic)
6. Jamie
7. kingdaddyrich
8. Gena
9. bb_anne
10. Mommy Joyce
11. Mommy Rai
12.Arjay

Enjoy the meme!
* * *
I checked on my tagboard and a certain message made me curious. The message tells "para sayo po yan" coming from kris, the critic. I don't have any idea since I just came across his blog, recently. Opened the link included in the message giving me this image

Thanks for this award The Critic! (This sounds weird, May I know your name? It feels awkward to call you "the critic"). Actual;ly, I'm planning to change my layout, but that is if I have extra time (and I don't think I have.) Again, Thank you all for allotting some time just to view this oh-so-nonsense blog. Your appreciation and your consistent visits motivate me to be a better blogger, and a better me. You don't know how a big help you are to me! Thank you!

The joys of having "tindahan"

2007-11-27T20:34:00.001+08:00

Having a "tindahan" or "sari-sari store" in every baranggay is a trademark for us, Filipinos. The convenience we get from these retail stores is truly huge, few steps from home and you get what you need. From candies to toiletries, you surely have a friend in these sari-sari stores.

I learned from my mother that my cousins opened again the sari-sari store my grandma used to run. Since "nanay" had passed away, no one ever wanted to run the small business which is nanay's small way of killing time. Nanay's tindahan is the first store ever built in our street. It has been running for about half a century now, and was started by Lola Rosa, our great grandmother. It is really a treat seeing the store back to its life, but this time, the store caters candies and sweets for kids. Why candies? At the moment, there are four running sari-sari stores just a few steps away from nanay's, and they all sell the same stuffs, and take note, the owners of these stores are family friends and relatives.

I was the tindera for the day, and the experience reminded me of my lola, who spends most of her time in her tindahan, counting her money. When I was a kid, I used to ask my lola for a bottle of soda and a pack of biscuits. She would give it to me for free, with 20 pesos secretly inserted in my pocket. Miss her. Anyway, through the experience I was able to know that kids are truly millionaires. They have so much money to spend on candies! The candies' and snacks' prices are kid's-pocket-friendly, They only need a peso to buy themselves a snack or two candies, and I can't believe it because in our school, a tiny piece of candy costs a peso. My cousins must be rich!I tried to persuade the two of them if I could have two candies and a bag of chips for free, and tried to convince them with the reasons that I seldom visit them. Too bad, they took the role seriously. I was not given my wish, and I have to pay for it. Since I payed for the things I ate, and had coins for change, I decided to indulge myself with loads of candies. Bea, my niece, came over and I just gave her all the candies I bought. I was happy to see her delighted face on the candies she have in her hands. As the tindera for the day, it is my duty to look after the stuffs and give the kids whatever they wish to buy. I remember this young girl who wants to buy a bar of chocolate for five pesos. I told her she doesn't have enough money for the chocolate, but conscience gets in the way, I ended up paying for her chocolate bar. Then, loads of kids came and I realized I was spending my money for their candies. So, I went home with my purse empty, and a small amount of money left. I'm so broke. sad.

Deadlines

2007-11-18T16:23:00.000+08:00

Now that the yuletide season is nearing, everything around me is on rush. Rushed mid-term exams, projects, meeting deadlines, competitions, and oh, have I mentioned the things my teachers ask me to do for them?

It's the birthday celebration of my cousin today, but sadly, I failed to attend. Why? because I have great responsibilities on my shoulder. Scratch that one, it's not responsibilities, it's burden. But I understand why these people kept passing on me their responsibilities. If I have loads, they have tons! Now, I'm working on with our class' intramurals, and on my homeworks at the same time. God is so good that I was able to sneak in here and have my wails accounted on my blog.

I still have an article for the school paper to be submitted, and I haven't started yet. I am two weeks late for the deadline, and I am still waiting for our ed's signal for my assignment, which was supposed to be at my hands a week before. I can't contact her, she's on her retreat, and no communications from home nor school will be allowed to any of the retreatants, in any form, unless, of course, if it's an emergency. And I don't want to bother her, I might spoil her moment with God.

I hope Ms. D, our adviser for the school paper, won't spank me for this!

So help me God. : (

Blog awards

2007-11-15T21:17:00.000+08:00

I visited my blog just this afternoon and two messages posted on my tagboard coming from "kuyas" named Redlan and Aethen, telling I won an award. I have no idea where the awards came from and what competition did I win. I know my memory lapses at times, but this time, I know I haven't joined any contest. Not unless Wika 2007 gave away a follow-up award. haha.

"Kuya" Redlan gave an award to this "Quiet but nice star", and I would have not known that I am that "quiet but nice star" if I haven't rolled my pointer over the link. Silly me. He tells I'm quiet. Everybody tells I'm quiet. I don't know why. I know I am noisy. Or am I just hallucinating for that loud-mouth Tricia? Anyway, Thanks, kuya Red for giving me an award. And thanks for disturbing Angelina Jolie just to give me her whole family's greetings. I wonder how much did it cost you? haha. And I promise to share myself just in case you really want to know if this girl typing these words is the quiet star you know at the moment. haha.

Also, I received a Blog of the Month award from kuya Aethen. Thanks Mr.-always-in-demand for the award!
I recieived this award from kuya Ayel. Thanks a lot!
I am sharing this award to my four kuyas: Ayel, Redlan, Aethen and Quincy. I love how they share themselves through their blogs. I know they are great people by just reading every entry they post. And after reading those, I encounter realizations which rarely happens for a fickle mind like me.

Th"Blogs of the Month" goes to Jazzy, Kuya Richar d, and Jamie. They inspire me to write about anything they appreciate, which I get to appreciate too after reading their posts.

Congratulations, everyone! You deserve every recognition!

Break.

2007-11-10T14:21:00.001+08:00

There came another retreat. This time, it lasted for three days, and I must say, it moved me to realization.
The retreat gave me a chance to reflect and share a bit of myself to everybody. Honestly, before I arrive in the retreat house, I have doubts about the things that will happen. You see, I witnessed and experienced opening such sensitive issues about the goings-on with my life to my classmates last year. That experience made me scared, for I was always stereotyped as a silent person, and so do I speak silent as well. I am glad I am given this opportunity to reflect, and I realized the many things I take for granted. The silence that reigns in the place, the cool and refreshing air, the lush greens which cannot be seen in Manila unwounded me from the busy and hurly burly city life. In that place, I realized, I owe my parents every single breath that I breathe, ad so I must pay due respect to them and tell them how much I love and appreciate them which I don't really do. I have to thank God for giving me a wonderful family, friends who keep me sane, and relatives who are always around. I thank Him for giving me a chance to experience to live, to laugh, to be loved and to love back in return. The peace that dwells in the place surprisingly dwelt in such a busy person like me. The peace I felt in me made me think about my real purpose in this world. What's my real purpose of existence? I still don' know. But I'm hoping some time from now, I'll be able to find it myself.

I share this to you, a letter from God to each of us. It is composed of excerpts taken from the bible.

Dear __________ my beloved child,
I love you. I have called you by name, you are mine. Before I formed you, I know you. And before you were born, I consecrated you. You did not choose me, I chose you.

Because you are precious to me and honored, I love you. I have loved you with an everlasting love, so I continue to show you my constant love. How can I abandon you? My love for you is strong. And I am faithful forever. Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Yet, even should she forget, I will never forget , I will never forget you- I can never forget you. See, I have written your name on the palm of my hand. I, the Lord your God, am holding you by my right hand. It is I who say to you, fear not, I will help you.

Do not be afraid, I have redeemed you. I am with you. I am with you to save you, And be sure of this, I am with you until the end of time. Do not let your heart be troubled. trust in me. For I know what my plans for you are, plans to serve and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and to give you hope. When you call on me, I will listen. I will help you. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you. Your trouble will not overwhelm you. The hard trials that come will not hurt you. Do not worry. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So there is no need to be afraid of anything. The mountains may depart, and the hills will be shaken, but my steadfast love for you will never end.

Come, my love. Come, I will lead you into solitude, and there, I will speak tenderly to your heart. I will be true and faithful. I will show you my constant love, and make you mine forever, we will be united in love and tenderness. I have promised and I will do it.

Sincerely yours,

I am who I am
I am the Lord, your God
I am Yahweh, your Savior, your Redeemer
. . . the Faithful One

I was deeply moved by this letter, and my mom's. We should really give our 100% trust to the Lord, for He knows it all, and He will never put us down.

After three days of isolation in the retreat house without having any source of entertainment and communication from home, I missed my family, and other things I have taken for granted. Without having any idea, I went back home and was surprised by the news I saw on TV. I knew how really hard it is to live inside the Big Brother House. hehe.

This is a picture of my class at the chapel after playing Patintero (which I missed and haven't played for years) with our Rel. Ed Coordinator and adviser. It was really fun. Sabi nga nila, save the best for last.

I'll post some other pictures and letters I received from friends next time.

By the way, It's my mother's birthday today. Happy birthday mama! love yah!

Count

2007-10-26T21:20:00.000+08:00

Months ago, I received a phone call from my cousins Mariel and IC asking if I do have any interest in registering myself for the upcoming SK elections. This call made me realize I am at the right age already to exercise my right to vote as the so-called "kabataan" and a part of the "sangguniang kabataan." Ang tanda ko na pala! haha. Parang kailan lang, I was begging to my mom if I could accompany her vote for a President way back when it was FVR running as president. Anyway, nakaka-overwhelm na magkakaroon ako ng bilang sa lipunan. I was asked several times and given a number of chances to register for the elections. My cousins and my tita were convincing me to register but their business talk didn't work to me that much. After those missed opportunities, I came to a halt and made my decision not to register for the SK elections. Mariel and IC kept asking me why, I said I just don't feel like it. My tita asked me it's my lost because I might not get admitted to PLM (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila) or UP if I don't count myself in for the elections. Still, I stood on my decision. Hindi naman sa tinatamad ako magparegister at magpakapagod just to vote, neither did the media influenced me by telling that people were crammed at the COMELEC Office. I just don't think nobody deserves my vote. Why? To tell you frankly, some of the candidates are family friends, relatives, and families, and I decided not to vote for anyone of them. Knowing their goings-on made me realize they don't deserve the recognition and etc. and somebody else deserves it. Somebody who is responsible enough to be a role model, and not just another stupid boy who had had his girlfriend pregnant at sasabihing hindi siya ang father. Somebody who is consistent in everything he/she does, not just boasting stupid achievements. Somebody who is sensitive of what others might feel, not being sensitive on what others might think of the clothes he/she wears. I am not being prejudice to any of the candidates and I don't have anything against them. I just think somebody else deserves the office.
Realization came to me; I feel sorry because I am blinded by the things my mind dictates me, but still I believe-somehow- some of them have the guts of what it takes to be of service to the youth. As what Kuya Daryl said, Everybody deserve chances, not a second chance. God gave us several chances, why can't people give chances as well?
Before, I was asked to run as an SK officer, but I decided not to run because I promised to myself not to enter "crappy politics", in any form. Buti na lang di ko naisipang ilagay sa kahit anumang application form ko for college ang public administration! hayyyy...

I PROMISE, my blog as my witness, NO TO RUN IN ANY POSITION IN THE GOVERNMENT. haha. as if. ( :

The inconvenient truth

2007-10-12T18:54:00.000+08:00

I went to Philippine General Hospital just this afternoon to visit my aunt for she was hemorrhaging. She was confined in the psychiatric ward because she's a bipolar. I was hesitant to enter the ward because I was afraid of those people who are not so mentally healthy. My knees were trembling as I was walking the hall to my aunt's bed. My other titas warned me about these patients who were just roaming around the room and you cannot really distinguish who they are because they are not wearing gowns, not even hospital tags. So, I went on with walking and finally saw the scenario myself. First impression-still scared. I was able to meet this girl- whom I learned from my tita-who keeps asking for everything she sees. Like, when my ate brought food for my aunt, she asked her to give her the food. And I saw this thirteen-year-old girl who is suffering from schizophrenia. She approached my aunt's bed and slowly wrapped her arms around my aunt's and told her to take care. She calls my aunt "lola." She thought my aunt will be able to go back home. My aunt told her to get well soon and get back to studying. By the way, the girl had mental problems because of studying too hard. I was astounded upon knowing her story. After hearing those from my aunt, my ate told me not to be hard on studying or I might get crazy. I was expecting for gloomy and insane patients, but they seem to behave well as if they are not suffering from any psychotic disorders at all. After asking my aunt how she is I finally decided to go out to let the others visit her since they are only allowing one person per patient. I slipped out toward the door and another patient, a woman wearing a green-striped shirt, was wailing about the nurse who shooed her away from the door. She was saying things loudly like Susan Roces is her lola and she has a very good-looking husband. It was scary because she looks very angry and irritated. She is at the nurse's desk near the door and I was scared she might do something to me. So, I tried to calm down and passed the door with all the horror kept inside me.

I feel sorry for the patients and I think they don't deserve such discrimination. I feel so sorry for being so insensitive and how I wish I could help them. I felt very sorry especially for the thirteen-year-old girl. For such a young age she's suffering from a very serious sickness. She's very gently and loving, I don't think she deserves being there. Going to such place is an eye-opener to me. They deserve more than insults and laughs. That made me think of Psychiatry as an option for college.

Moving On...

2007-09-28T22:36:00.000+08:00

It has been a week since the last time I have updated this blog. I am a year older once again, mourned for another lost of a family member and stormed by another row of stressful and über-nerve wrecking school activities. Oh, and have I mentioned C.A.T.?! HATE IT!(take note of the caps)

So what's with the title? I'm pretty sure the phrase "moving on" rings the bell. Ok, let me drag this entry to what I should take account of to make this oh-I'm-so-sleepy blogpost relevant to its title. As I was saying, We've lost another family member, and this time it was my lolo. What pains me the most is seeing my lola very sad, for she is very accustomed to the presence of her husband; he was the one who takes care of her even though he's having a hard time, too. Because of this very tragic event, we have to make certain decisions not only for the sake of my lola, but for the sake of the whole family as well. Father was the only one who made it to Davao since we do have our classes and mom had important business with her work. He went there, met some old friends, colleagues and family members whom he lost contact with after residing at Manila for merely three decades. Together with his friends, they decided to plan and work for certain matters, and somebody has to work on the arrangements my lolo had been working on during his last days, and they needed somebody who can accompany my lola since she's old and she's sick, and loneliness might aggravate her illness. Because of these reasons, father was obliged to move to Davao, but he can not do things all by himself, so the family decided that the boys (pops, kuya and Francis) will move to Davao and mother, me and ate will remain. Since my ate resides at Las Pinas, and it's just me and mom left, we decided to leave the house we rented for three years and just move to Las Pinas (mom doesn't want us to rent a house with just the two of us( she says it's very odd-but I don't think that's the real reason behind it). For now, we are "geographically separated" but still we are very united and we soooo love each other specially in times like this. But I know this decision will lead us to good, for we are very confident that God is on our side. The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. Sometimes, we have to take risks for us to grow and for us to see the beauty behind the ugly.

So much for drama, see yah all soon!

By the way, we might follow them next year and settle there for good. Mindanao blogger na rin kaya ako in the near future? We'll see.

Not a girl, not yet a woman

2007-09-15T21:59:00.001+08:00

It's my birthday today and I'm a year older again! haha. I turned seventeen and it's just a year left before being called as "grown up". How cool is that, eh? I hate getting old! So what are the challenges and things at stake of becoming a seventeen-year-old girl? or woman? nah, whatever.
First, college. I'll be heading to college next academic year!
Second, the more mature and more lady-like me. But they cannot kill the kid in me. haha.
Third, independence. But that doesn't mean being rebellious or anything.
Fourth, responsibilities. Getting old means getting more responsibilities, and in my case, it is my responsibility to look after my lola now that she's alone.
and lastly, this traveler-wannabe will be on a row of more great and fun adventures! Let's see if I can act like a real adult.

Anyway, so how did my birthday went? Me and my cousins, IC, Mara, and Camille went out and we ate, ate, and ate. Oh and we played, too. It was fun and cool because it is the first time we went out with just the four of us without any titas and mothers around. We tried on clothes, roamed in and out of shops, and laughed our hearts out. I will never forget this day.

I want to thank thess people who greeted me :

Angie, Shelah, Chery, Tin, Hanna, Phyllis, Jillian, Nica, Mariel, Kuya Drian, Kuya Daryl, Ate Anna, Ate Trins, Tita Mar, Tita Imay, Tito Rey, Ate Honey, Redlan, Joey!, Camz, TEONs!, Staffers, Allen, Roy, Ms. Galang, Chary, Ms. Remigia Dipasupil (yeah boy!), Sir Barcelon, Clarence, Alex, Jordan

a card from ate, Camille and Joey

A greeting from Kuya Daryl through friendster.

and a whole lot more. Thanks everyone, and may we all have a wonderful year. I want to thank God for giving me such a wonderful year, and for giving me another year to live and to look forward to. I also want to thank Him for giving me wonderful friends who were always there, family who keeps me sane and for giving me a wonderful lolo who served as and will always be my inspiration. So sad he had to go. I miss him.

Cheers!

Finally

2007-09-13T18:04:00.000+08:00

After being out for some days, I'm finally back! So what made me soooo burnt out this week? First stop, I was sick for a few days, then I lost my lolo, and it was sad. And now that it is just two days from now 'til my birthday, I am missing him more. He never forgot our birthdays and never forgot sending us presents. Secondly, I was soooo busy with school stuffs, edit videos, prepare projects and the likes. I hate seniority's most-crucial-year-in-high-school, one mistake leads to another.

* * *

I got my report card, and as usual, I got Filipino as my lowest grade. It is not a surprise to me anymore, but I'm looking forward to much better grades next quarter.

* * *

Congratulations to kuya Ayel for winning the Misteryosa award for pinoyblogosphere.com's Wika2007 contest "maraming Wika, Maraming Bansa" blog writing contest. His entry truly deserves the recognition and the prize. :)

* * *

At a difficult time, our heartfelt thanks for your condolences. Thanks to kuya Daryl and the Doll House Kin, and everyone in Raymond and The Light staffers. Thanks a million, guys. Let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of my grandpa, Mardonio Ferrer.

Thanks for the Memories

2007-09-06T17:38:00.000+08:00

Never Alone

I feel you in the morning
When at first I awake
Your thought is with me
With each decision I make

You'd been around forever
Since the first breath I took
Now I have to go on alone
But for love, I need not look

Cause by what you bestowed
In our short time together
Will last in my heart
Forever and ever

Although you've left
And now walk above
I'm never alone
I'm wrapped in your love

Enjoy now your long waited reward
Feel peace that your love continues on
What was taught to me, will be taught to mine
Cause you live on in me even after you've gone

I was ecstatic to start this day for I thought it would mean rest-physically, mentally and emotionally. I didn't have enough sleep the day before yesterday for I've been busy lately on some school stuffs. Early this morning, while I was wondering what would happen at school, a phone call shocked us all- it was from my tito from Davao. I knew that call meant bad news, for my lolo was rushed to the hospital again, and was under observation in the ICU. I was hoping for a word not worse as death, but the expression I saw on my father's face, I knew that was it. I went to school with the question if my speculation was right, and just made myself believe that it was not the one I was expecting my father to tell. I acted as if nothing happened until I was homed from school. My younger brother broke the word to me, and asked if I knew anything about it. I said I knew all about it, though I was really hoping it was not true; I was denying the truth, and I am really worried for my father for he love my lolo so much. I knew the news would aggravate the worries and fears, especially my lola, who is in a delicate condition because of diabetes,and for she does not have any idea about what had happened. I am worried how will my grandma take it, and how will the family break the word to her.

My lolo is a great man. He had served the country as a military officer before his retirement. He helped in the peace and order of Mindanao, and asked the government shelter for those military retirees, granting many dreams. Though our family seldom see him personally-for we reside in Manila, and them, in Davao- he had never forgotten our birthdays and he thoughtfully sent us presents. When I was a child, I often send him letters, and knew he was proud of me when I first went to Davao. He kept the letters and gifts I sent him for Christmas, which happened to be his birthday, too. My father often tells us stories about how he had raised them, and how he had sent them to good schools despite of being an average family, and the likes. It was pity we were not able to spend more time together. I feel guilty again, for I have not told him verbally how much I love and respect him, for he is my idol. I am thankful God gave me a loving and kind lolo.

Thanks for those who showed great concern and expressed their sympathy.
Please pray for the eternal repose of the soul of my lolo.

The painstaking NCAE

2007-08-28T16:57:00.000+08:00

After a few days of preparing for the National Career Aptitude Examination, it was a great relief for me to answer the last question of the test. The actual test-though it has more items- is much easier than the mock test. But when it comes to the Manipulative Skills part, I have to be really careful with my answers for the choices seem to be the same, which makes it confusing.

There are some typographical errors in the test kit; there are punctuations and informations missing. But overall, the test went fine. Well, the aim of the test is just to guide the students what career should they pursue depending on what area they excel best to determine the field they are most likely to succeed; meaning to say nobody will fail. I am satisfied with the test and very happy for getting two new Mongol#2 pencils ( not for free of course, but we paid for it cheap.) haha. But the aftermath of the exams is an unnerving headache which until now I am suffering from. I think a good night sleep would suffice.

(It is actually Arnold's paper, I wrote there the formulas I needed, and I am pretty sure you won't be able to distinguish who had written which, and there's my two new Mongol#2 pencils!)

Indeed, appreciating simple things is the simplest way to find happiness. ( :

Thanks for those who prayed and who wished me good luck.

* * *

After a long wait, I finally watched Da Vinci Code on HBO. I was not able to see it on screen since I am not at the age yet. (haha, wait for me til next year!) I tried reading the book but it didn't caught my interest. But as I have seen the movie, I think the story is not persuasive enough for me to be troubled with my faith. Pictures and symbols are not enough evidences. Besides, even if Da Vinci intentionally hid codes in his works, basis is still a big question. But I must say, those who believes on what he sees might have doubts with his faith.

* * *

The voting is reopened for Pinoy Blogsphere's Wika2007 blog writing contest until August 31, 2007 for there were some contestants who have not voted yet. Vote for your favored entries here: http://pintig.pinoyblogosphere.net/
Results of the contest will be announced on September 5, 2007.

Superiority complex and trust

2007-08-24T19:37:00.000+08:00

The seniors attended today's mass to ask the Lord for guidance for the upcoming National Career Assessment Examination. The gospel was (John 1:45-51), Nathanael is introduced as a friend of Philip. He is described as initially being skeptical about the Messiah coming from Nazareth, saying: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?", but nonetheless, follows Philip's invitation. Jesus immediately characterizes him as "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit". Some scholars hold that Jesus' quote "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you", Nathanael recognizes Jesus as "the Son of God" and "the King of Israel".
I was deeply moved by the homily given by the priest, and he mentioned "superiority complex" and "trust". I wanted to run because of shame, for I knew I was one of those persons being "bossy" at times. This made me recall some things at school, my problems with my group mates, reprimanding them to bring this, bring that, do these things etc. I realized I was being hard on them. Handling a group isn't as easy as it is, that's why I prefer working on my own than having others work with me. Through the homily, I knew I lack some things-trust and sensitivity.

I was fed up with ineffective plans and disappointments on group works, that's why sometimes, I'd rather do all things, than appoint my co-members . I got this from my father, and I hated it, not knowing that I'm just like him. Since a child, I always work on my own, without having the help of my parents. The thing letting others do something with my grades involved was always a big issue to me. That's why I end up doing all group activities by myself. Whenever I work with people, I was always the one who takes over everything, and that was very wrong of me. People started leaving all things to me, and I had a hard time dealing with them. I created monsters in them. I regretted my actions, and wished I have never taken all things alone.

I am still learning to trust people, and I want to express my deepest regrets for being insensitive to others' feelings. Thank you for having the patience for a kid like me.

* * *

I can't help visiting my blog! but I shall be starting my review for the nth time tomorrow for NCAE, and it's nearing. Wish me luck (again. haha.)

Good luck to those who'll take the exams over the weekends and on Tuesday!
(is it ok if I call you kuya?) Ayel, (pwede din ba? hehe)Quincy, STITCHES!, TEON, Ms. Janice and some members of the faculty at school! Aja! Boscoletz! I miss ya'all!

Are we there yet?

2007-08-23T18:00:00.000+08:00

Just went through the 1st quarterly tests, went through all the hurls of meeting deadlines of projects, modules, activities, and the first quarter of seniority isn't as easy as it was in the previous year. We were all wailing about overnight projects, 20-page long reports, after-school activities, and deadlines of the same day for other requirements. And have I mentioned extra-curricular activities and competitions? Man, it's just a quarter of the term and I have three more quarters to go through, how worse would it be at the end of the term? If you are to ask our class the best description for senior high, we would synchronously yell "patayan." But hopefully, things would be much easier in the coming days.
We had just ended the tests and went on again with our practice for our school's aerobic competition, and it was really tiring that I didn't cared much about going home sweaty in my P.E. uniform. And god, we'll have to rise up early tomorrow for the dry run of NCAE on the 29th. And we'll have to bring along with us our P.E. and C.A.T. uniforms. And we'll be having a mock test for NCAE tomorrow. Are they trying to murder or terrorize us by purpose or what? Anyway, I am currently checking my friendster account which I forgot that I actually have an account there-I have not updated it for ages. Through checking it, I knew I was not the only one moaning and suffering from muscular pains and exhaustion through these people's shout outs which happen to appear in the updates.

* * *

I'll be taking the National Career Assessment Exam on the 29th. Through the exam we'll be able to know what career should we pursue, depending on our understanding on these areas: Logical ability, Scientific ability, Language proficiency, Reading comprehension, Entrepreneurial skills and the like. Let's see if I am really destined to take up BS Biology as premed, or if I should consider the courses people have been recommending me.
I might not visit this blog for a while because I'll be preparing AGAIN for another exam whichm this time, is NCAE. I just hope things would be much easier for me, thank God for my Peyups experience! (except for the corner-trip part.haha)
For the mean time, you might want to read my Wika 2007 entry! todo endorsement na ito! read it here:http://tishtashy.blogspot.com/2007/08/nosebleed.html
and you may vote for it if you think it deserves to win. Vote for it at http://pintig.pinoyblogosphere.net/story.php?title=Nosebleed-by-Tricia-Ferrer
By the way, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for those who voted for my entry, thank you very much. Thanks for the votes, knowing that there are some who appreciates my entry is more than receiving any prizes from the contest. Thanks again!

salamat and see you all soon! BEST OF LUCK TO THOSE WHO'LL TAKE THE EXAMS!

Goodbye Egay, hello school.

2007-08-20T20:38:00.000+08:00

Exercise
your right
to vote
as a
blogger
(this is no joke.)

the weather is back to normal. I missed the blue-blanketed sky and high-hanging clouds. What I hate about the weather is the wind, it's too humid, unlike Egay's. Speaking of Egay, have I told you that the recent typhoon and my father shares a common thing? yep. you heard me right. ay mali, you read me right. Egay is the nick of my dad, way back in college. Pop's name is Edgardo. hehe. wala lang, naaliw lang kasi ako may kapangalan na bagyo pop ko. Ako kaya, will I be able to have the same privelage as dad's? pano kaya? hmmm... triciang? tishing? trizzzing? hahaha. ang panget. wag na lang. Well anyway, I'm back in busyness. School's on track again, and great school activities awaits me. I'll have to edit our class's music video, bulletin board competition, poster-making contest, all of those are for our school's Buwan ng Wika program. Egay, if you have free time, you may visit us again, you're always welcome! <-I share this with niknok

* * *

Voting is now officially open for pinoyblogosphere.com's Wika2007 contest. Vote for those who deserve to win! Go and vote! http://pintig.pinoyblogosphere.net/

That's my entry there. May 3 votes na ako. akalain mo yun? haha. Salamat sa mga bumoto at boboto, nagbasa at nagtangka man lang magbasa! salamat! Vote for me if you think I deserve the domain and 5k. haha. Here's a link for my entry. http://tishtashy.blogspot.com/2007/08/nosebleed.html

tRizZz, and wika2007

2007-08-19T18:39:00.000+08:00

tRiZzZ. That's my baptized name in the net. I was asked by many why trizzz instead of trish, which I am most accustomed to. Here's a brief history behind it.

Lolo, or kuya Aju, a friend of mine used to call me triz. I asked him why triz, he said it's unique and it suits my personality. I didn't get him. He called me by that name and people started calling me triz. Then one day, I decided to put up my blog on blogger. Thought of having my blog named after me, so I decided to name it as triz. I was not satisfied with oh-so-short nick so I added two zs. Afterwhich, I realized it speaks for me well since I so looove to sleep. nah, forget about it.

So what's with the sticky caps?
Oh it's not about anything. Just intended to tell the world how much I love to sleep.

Since when did the name triz existed?
I'm using it for years now. Four years to be exact.

Why I wrote this blogpost?
Just to tell everybody they can call me trish,tricia, trishy, tish, isha, anyway they like. I posted this just to inform everybody not to fret if they're having a hard time typing my name. You have gazillion ways to spell my name. It feels awkward too at times.

Nakakailang din pala ang kaartehan sa buhay paminsan-minsan. haha.

* * *

Just joined blogosphere's Wika2007 contest. The contest showcases Filipino bloggers' insights about this year's Buwan ng Wika theme "Maraming Wika, Matatag ba Bansa." Just tried my luck if I got guts writing in Tagalog. And to know who will wholeheartedly accept my not-so-good essay. I'm not so good in writing in Filipino. Goodluck to the contestants! Congratulations to all who made it in the contest. Joining the contest itself is already an achievement. Most specially for those who made it just minutes before the deadline of submission of entries, like me. The always at-the-last-minute me.

To visit the site and read some of the entries, go to http://www.pinoyblogosphere.com/

Kuya Daryl told me I sounded like an activist in my essay. Talk about harsh. hehe.
Here's my last-minute entry: http://www.pinoyblogosphere.com/2007/08/18/nosebleed/

Nosebleed

2007-08-18T18:42:00.001+08:00

Siguro sa pamagat pa lamang ng blog post ko na ito ay alam niyo na kung ano ang tinutukoy ko. Kadalasan, ang mga katagang Ingles na "nose bleed" ay tampulan ng katatawanan bilang sakit ng maraming Pilipino ngayon; ang kahinaan sa pagsasalita ng wikang Ingles. Pero sa katotohanan, mas karapat dapat na dumugo ang ilong natin sa pagiging ignorante sa sarili nating wika.

Simula pa nang lumipat ako sa paaralan ko ngayon, palagi na kaming hinihikayat na gamitin ang wikang Ingles bilang midyum sa pananalita mapa sa canteen ka pa o sa library (habang itina-type ko ang mga salitang ito, nagdadalawang-isip ako kung dapat bang isalin ko pa sa tagalog ang "canteen" at "library" na pawang mga nakasanayan nang katawagan sa kantina at silid-aklatan.) Maliban na lamang kung ang klase namin ay Filipino at Araling Panlipunan. Natatandaan ko pa noon ay may "fine" pa nga na pinasimunuan ng Student Council sa sinumang magsasalita gamit ang tagalog- piso kada salita, limang piso naman kada pangungusap. Ganyan ang naging patakaran sa eskwela hanggang sa maging hayskul ako. Hindi ko masasabi na naging matagumpay ang proyekto nilang ito. Ngunit hindi ko naman sila masisi pagkat may kahinaan talaga ang mga mag-aaral ngayon sa pananalita gamit ang wikang Ingles. Pero, masyado tayong nagpadala sa minsang pagkakakilanlan sa atin ng mundo, mga Pilipino bilang mahusay na tagapagsalita ng wikang Ingles. Ang hindi natin alam ay dahan-dahan nating pinapatay ang sarili nating wika.

Pero masasabi ring kahinaan ng isang tao na gamitin ng husto ang sariling wika, dahil sanay na siya sa paggamit nito kaya't di na rin mahalaga kung pag-aaralan niya pa ito o hindi. Kadalasan, ang pokus ng kanyang pag-aaral ay sa wikang hindi siya masyadong bihasa, ang wika na sa tingin niyang magpapakita ng kanyang kagalingan. Dahil sa kanyang pagiging kampante na sa palagay niya na alam niya na ang lahat sa sariling wika ay di na rin niya napapahalagahan ang wikang siyang sumasalamin sa kaniyang pagiging Pilipino.
Naalala ko nang makausap ko ang isang kaibigan, at madalas ko sa kaniya idinadaing ang kahinaan ko sa wikang Filipino. Sinabi niya noon na halos lahat ng Pilipino ay "bobo" sa kanyang sariling wika, kaya hindi ko rin daw masisisi ang sarili ko sa problemang magpahanggang ngayon ay dala-dala ko pa. Ang salitang bobo ay isang salitang para sa ating mga Pilipino ay 'di katanggap-tanggap. Ang pagiging bobo sa sariling wika ay isang pang-aalipusta, kahihiyan na para ano pa't naging Pilipino tayo gayong di natin alam ang sarili nating wika?
Ang Pilipinas ay mayaman sa iba't-ibang bagay na di matatawarang dito lang matatagpuan: samu't-saring kultura, masayahin at malikhaing mga tao, magagandang tanawin na unti-unti na ring naglalaho, utang atbp. Ngunit para saan pa ang mga ito kung tayo mismong naluluklok sa kagandahan na taglay ng ating bansa ay nagbubulag-bulagan sa ating pagkukulang sa kanya?
So totoo lang, ang pinakamaliit na lang na ating maaring gawin para sa ating bayan ay pagyamanin kung ano man ang meron tayo. Ang pag-aralan ang sarili nating bansa, mababaw man kung iisipin ngunit ito ay malaking kontribusyon. Hindi man natin maiangat ang bansa pagdating sa pananalapi, hindi ba't mas mahalagang alam mo sa sarili mo na mayaman ka dahil sa kung sino ka at hindi kung anong mayroon ka? Ang wika ay hindi isang makamundong pag-aari ngunit ito ay matatawag na isang yaman, bagkus dapat lamang na bigyan nating halaga ito. Ayon sa isang talumpati ni Manuel L. Quezon, masasabing ang Pilipinas ay may suliraning heograpikal; ang pagkakawatak-watak ng Pilipinas sa maliliit na pulo. Wala din tayong pagkakaisa pagdating sa pananampalataya-ang iba'y muslim, ang iba'y katoliko. Gayon din naman pagdating sa lahi, di mo na rin masasabing purong pinoy ang isang tao dahil sa iba't-ibang banyagang sumakop sa Pilipinas at nagdaan na rin ang maraming salinlahi. Ngunit ayon sa kanya, ito'y di dapat maging hadlang upang tayo ay magkaisa, ang mahalaga ay mayroong tayong iisang tradisyon, tradisyon na siyang ugat ng tunay na diwa ng ating pagkatao. Ang mga pagkakaiba na ring ito ang siyang nagbibigay-katangian sa ating mga Pilipino, ito rin ang siyang nagkakaloob sa atin ng yaman na angat sa iba. Halimbawa na lamang ang mga katutubo, sila ay larawan ng mayamang kultura ng ating bansa. Sila rin ang pinag-ugatan ng madaming wika na siyang ginagamit sa iba't-ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas. O, walang ganyan sa States!

Hindi ba't ang pangit isipin na tila banyaga ka sa sarili mong bansa? Ano pa ang silbi mo sa lipunan kung hindi ka mag-iisip, kikilos at makikipagsapalaran bilang isang Pilipino? Kung tutuusin, ito na lamang ang masasabi nating maipagmamalaki natin sa iba. Masakit man tanggapin, ngunit ito ang katotohanan. Kung ito na lang ang natitira sa atin hahayaan na lang ba natin ito at tuluyan tayong malugmok sa kabulukan? Siyempre hindi. Ngayon, sa inyo ko inilalatag ang suliranin. Mauubusan na tayo ng dugo, kung tutuusin, dahil matagal ng dinudugo ang mga ilong natin dahil sa pagiging ignorante sa sariling wika. Bobo. Masakit mang pakinggan, pero iyan ang katotohanan.

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Wika2007 Blog Writing Contest
Theme: “Maraming Wika, Matatag na Bansa”

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Iboto niyo ang entry na ito kung sa tingin niyo ay karapat-dapat itong manalo.

Manila's Reinvention? or Destruction?

2007-08-14T22:03:00.000+08:00

Being updated on the news is everybody's responsibility. Awareness is what we lack today-a necessity for us to make ourselves worthy of what and who we are. I am a Filipino and a Manileño, and I am doing this because I am proud to be one.
The reign of Atienza in Manila was a great leap forward for Manila, for the mayor contributed a lot and is visibly seen in the streets and parks. Manila had earned great revenues during these years, for the city served as an open museum for those travelers who want to see a glimpse of becoming a Filipino. It offered great parks and nature reserves, plazas, and brought back the old glory of Manila Bay which had been ruptured before the mayoralty of Atienza. But if we are to compare the old and new Manila, the new city itself is a clear vision of progress and improvement. Going back, I can honestly say Atienza had contributed a lot for the city,and as I had observed on the news, the present mayor calls for "destruction" and rest assured I am sharing the same sentiments with these people who were dismayed about his game plan. Dilapidating baranggay halls which had been there for ages, eviction of the renters at Baywalk, and now, the take-over of the local government to this slaughterhouse which has been supplying meat to the entirety of Manila and adjacent cities-to where my father used to offer his services for a decade I guess; these things are his definitions of "reinvention."
I am not bitter about the fact that my father used to work in the company, I am just so disappointed that we paid right taxes for these things and yet, the effort of paying it right and considering that it was hard-earned money lead us to nothing. What I am trying to say is that we, or I, as a Manileño has every right to be against these things for I am paying right taxes, and I abide with the law. I just hope the present mayor considers the consequences of his plan. Is this the downfall of Manila?- for those who go against the rules I guess. Still, we have every hope for a voice to be heard. Let's just look forward to hearing it soon.

Disclaimer: freedom of speech. I have every right to exercise this freedom.

Trip to Peyups

2007-08-05T16:32:00.001+08:00

Whoa. Sa wakas tapos na UPCAT! Just took my UPCAT yesterday, and if you are to ask me how it was, IT WAS TIRING. Really. Hindi ko nga alam kung ilang nerve cells naglaho sa akin sa sobrang exhaustion at hirap na rin ng test. It was my first time in UP, and I was really excited to see my "dream campus."
12:45 p.m. I set foot on UP's grounds. Napilitan kami ni ate maglakad dahil sa dami ng tao, at nalula ako and natakot at the same time kasi feeling ko hindi ako papasa, sa dami ng matatalinong aplikante. At naglakad kami hanggang matahak namin finally yung Bocobo Hall (Law Center), ang testing center ko. At last! Natagpuan na namin yung Bocobo Hall! At habang paliko na kami sa isang intersection ng Regidor and Osmeña St., natapilok ako. Nakakatapilok kasi yung bricks sa sidewalk. At tamang tsempo, may nakakilala sa akin doon mismo sa scene na tumatayo ako mula sa pagkakadapa. Si Vida, classmate ko nung first year. She took the test. 6:30 am was her sched. At habang nagsisigawan kami, dahil hindi kami magkaintindihan dahil nasa tawid siya at may dumadaan na mga sasakyan at tao, tinanong ko siya kung mahirap. Mahirap daw. At kinabahan nanaman ako. Nagulantang ako sa nakita ko dahil ang daming tao.Nagpaalam na ako sa ate ko at pumasok na ako. Pumunta ako sa dulo ng pila na inaakala kong yun talaga ang dulo. Ang dulo pala ng pila ay dun mismo sa pinasukan ko. Matapos ay naghintay kaming mga examinees sa gilid ng building, at ako, sa tabi ng isang bangko at dispenser. Nasurpresa ako sa mga mag-eexam dahil ang inaasahan ko eh mga kabado, mga nag-rerecall ng mga formula at kung ano pang klaseng pagrereview. Humanga ako dahil hindi sila nagrereview. Natuwa ako dahil may sumunod sa pila, na nag-aakala din na iyon ang dulo. Nanghiram siya sa akin ng sharpener, mukhang hindi niya natasahan yung Mongol #2 pencil niya sa bahay. At ayun, finally, pinapasok na kami ng building. Naghiyawan ang mga kasama ng mga examinees sa pagpunta ng mga wishes of good luck. Nakapasok na ako sa isang classroom na medyo madilim, pero malamig. Hindi na ako nagrecall ng kung anu-ano pa dahil sabi ni papa bale wala din ang mga last-minute na review.Matapos ay pinahugot sa amin ng proctor yung "Instructions Manual" daw. Natawa kami dahil sa front cover nito ay may sample ng test permit, na nagngangalang Leonardo na may picture ng pagmumukha ni Dao Ming Su. Natuwa ako dahil hindi lang pala ako ang naka-appreciate nito dahil narinig ko ang iba na ngumingising patago. At inumpisahan na ang pagdi-discuss ng instructions na paulit-ulit, na inabot ng isa't kalahating oras. Sa wakas, test na. Nagdasal ako ng kaunti pagkatapos ay sinimulan ko na yung test. Ang first test ay Language Proficiency. Madali lang naman, kaya lang hindi ako natapos. May 3 items pa na hindi ko nasagutan dahil kulang sa oras. Sumunod ang Science. Habang nagte-test, maririnig mo ang iba't-ibang tono ng pag-ubo, pag-singhot, tsaka tunog ng mga balot ng pagkain na dala ng mga examinees, pati amoy kasama na rin. Matapos ay pinatayo kami mula sa aming pagkakaupo, buti yun kasi halos 4 hours na kaming nakaupo. Sumunod na test ay Math. Dinugo talaga ako dun. Ang hirap. Mangilan-ngilan lang ang mga lumabas na ni-review ko. Tulad na ratio, proportions, word problems. Ginawa ko ay sinubukan kong i-solve, tapos kung ano ang malapit na sagot yun yung sagot ko. Pero yung mga hindi ko talaga alam, ay iniwanan ko na lang blangko. 1/4 of wrong answers will be deducted to right answers eh. Inclusive doon yung wrong answers ha. Tapos yung iba, hinulaan ko, kasi yung iba naman ay masasagutan mo ng hindi gumagamit ng scratch paper. Final part na ng test. Yehey.Kaya lang inantok ako. Kaya nagpakalunod ako sa isang bote ng Goldilock's Purified drinking water.Enjoy yung last part kasi Reading comprehension. Natutuwa ako sa mga selections, ang gaganda. Kasama dun yung tungkol kay Cory Aquino, yung scientific studies tungkol sa Iguanas ng Guadalupe, Terorismo. Meron pang poems tungkol sa Filipino dialects, natatandaan ko dun merong "evun" at "itlog" "Batanes" at "Jolo." Yung last selection, tula din. Tungkol yun sa isang tao na nagpapalipas ng oras sa mall, tapos frustrated siya kasi wala siyang magawa, wala kasi siyang pera tapos way niya yun para makatakas sa problema. Nag-enjoy talaga ako. Hay, 6:00 pm natapos yung test. To conclude, maayos naman, maliban sa part ng Math. Iniisip ko nga kung natuyuan ng myelin sheath yung mga neurons ko, kasi hindi nagfunction ng maigi utak ko. haha. Tapos ay lumabas na ako, huminga ng malalim at nilanghap ang nakakarelaks na hangin ng UP greenery. Nakita ko yung ate ko na matsagang naghintay sa labas ng halos 5 hours para sa aking pagbabalik. Kinuwento ko sa kanya lahat-lahat. Sa jeep, naramdaman ko rin ang gutom. Hindi kasi ako nakakain habang nagte-test dahil sa kulang sa oras. Ayun, pagkadating sa bahay, may konting salu-salo (advance party daw para sa pagkakapasa ko sa UP. nye.) Natutuwa naman akong malaman na madami akong well wishers. Nagtext daw yung tita ko na nagpe-pray sila para sa ikapapasa ko, at kinamusta ako ng isa kong tita. At nakuha ko pang manood ng Ratatouille na DVD, at ayun, bagsak sa pagod.Mahirap pala sa Diliman. Ang layo. Buti UP Manila first choice ko. Pero masaya maging estudyante ng UP. Sana talaga makapasa ako. Hay..thank you Lord! BTW, I was informed, 55,000 daw ang applicants this year. Talk about big.

Speech Glitch

2007-07-27T18:00:00.000+08:00

Determination, confidence, and audience-speaker rapport. These three things are important in coming up with a great speech. If you lack a thing or two of these, the speech you had prepared for the longest time will be futile, disappointing, in other words, empty.
It was not really my first time presenting myself with a speech. I have done a lot of speeches before since I was a member of the speech club back when I was a sophomore. What drove me joining this club is that, I want to develop self-confidence in presenting myself in public. I am aware that I lack confidence, and the only way I knew I could overcome this problem of mine is through joining the club. And one more thing pushed me is that, I always love writing, and I want to develop something which I knew I am not so good at. In the club, we were trained to come up with speeches of great relevance and will leave a mark on everybody’s mind. I always feel a tinge of enthusiasm when I finish my notes for a speech, but my being unconfident overshadowed my excitement for the discourse. So, when it is my turn to deliver my speech, I end up mispronouncing, muffling the words and pausing for a while to recall my notes I often forget when all ears and eyes are on me. It is always a great relief for me when I arrive at the end of my speech, but I get disappointed too because I I have more things to say but because of my being introvert, I lost my chances in voicing out my point of view. That’s one more reason why I prefer being a writer rather than a speaker.
The day came we were asked to come up with a speech, I admit I was less interested on it because I knew I was not that good at it. But I was delighted to hear that we will create a speech that will introduce our seatmates which means that I don’t have to elaborate points, explain things further and the like. I was ecstatic on interviewing Anthonette, and we were able to think of a theme for our speeches that will be remarkable to all. We were then happy to come up with TV show parodies as an introduction. The day came I shall be delivering my speech. I was memorizing every line and detail of it before my name was called. Finally, I was asked to deliver my speech, and I felt apologetic for it was addressed to my classmates and I found it very inappropriate since my classmates were not there as the audience but instead, it was only between me and Ms. Gonzales.Then, I started my speech with the famous “deal or no deal” question and I felt happy; I saw my classmates’ smiling faces who were around that time and heard my speech. I was a bit satisfied. But when I went on with my speech, I felt nervous, and realized that my hands were all cold and sweaty once again, and felt the feeling that was very similar to the one I felt when I delivered my very first speech to an audience whom are merely strangers to me. I started panicking, for I was mispronouncing the words again, and forgot some fragments of the speech I had prepared for days. I tried to calm down, paused for a while and recalled the things I had forgotten, and started rebuilding my thoughts. I went on with it and finished it. It was a great relief. Then I felt the same again, disappointed for I knew I have more things to tell. I must say my apologies to my partner because I have not done my best to tell what a wonderful person she is. It was a bleak and dull moment. I wanted to repeat the whole speech. I want to deliver it with confidence and pride. Because the person I am about to introduce is someone whom everybody should be really proud of.
True it is, the greatest punch is no match to the greatest determination. I want to gain self-confidence. I want to defeat my so-called stage fright. I want to be freed from the ghost inside me because I know I have more things to offer, more things to express, and more things to prove. I hope that these things will serve as a learning experience, and let this be a turning point so I could change for the better me. Lucky are the ones who were given talents and enough confidence, I just hope they use this talent wisely and righteously, for words are more powerful than bombs. Whew!

I MIGHT not be able to visit my blog in the coming days, I'll be preparing for my UPCAT exams next Saturday, August 4. Wish me luck and Pray for me!

My greatest thanks to Kuya Adrian, Ate Anna, Allen, Che, JC, Tito Rey, TIta Pinky, Tito Benjie, Tita O, The Light!,She!, Ayel and to my classmates who prayed for my lolo! He's going back home tomorrow, and doing fine. I just hope he'll recover quickly and the therapy'll turn out well. Thanks a lot!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-07-21T21:30:00.000+08:00

The followers of Harry finally receives satisfaction as they bought the seventh and the last installment of Harry Potter,entitled as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows magicked by its creator, J.K. Rowling. The said book was released today worldwide. Potter fans piled up to the nearest bookshop to grab their own copy of the most-awaited completion of Rowling's world-renowned saga . Potter fans wearing Hogwarts uniform in UK spent nights of waiting for the release of the last book. Rumors and false spoilers went on with flying colours before the release of the book, as it was anticipated by fans. Clearly, fans will soon find out what's behind the most controversial book of the series at first hand now that the book is finally released. Here are the covers of Harry Potter and the Deathly Halllows: Children's cover(UK), Adult's Cover (UK), and American Version respectively.

SPOILERS Galore! Please don't read the following if you don't want to see a glimpse of the final book. I don't want you to hate me for this!

My brother did searched for some spoilers, but I have no idea if this spoiler he found's true. But I think this one is credible, the author accounts it blow by blow in every chapters.You judge. Here's a bit.

A closest friend of Harry dies.
An ex-Defense against the Dark Arts teacher and member of the order dies.
A Weasley dies (this death occurs before the wedding, inevitably throwing events into chaos).
Voldemort dies.
The double agent dies.

That closest friend of Harry is actually murdered by Bellatrix Lestrange (according to the spoiler) and Neville finishes her off. Horcruxes are destroyed. HARRY IS NOT A HORCRUX. McGonagall's the new headmistress (surely, she's the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, as mentioned in books one and six) The whereabouts of Harry after the story? He became a freelance auror and decided not to work for the ministry.

Want to find out more? Just hit my tagboard or leave a comment if you still want more of the spoiler. I won't post the URL of the spoiler for I don't want to divulge it all. Sure there are some who won't appreciate the book if I did. And so do I. I think I've lost a percent or two of my enthusiasm for the book.

I'm so sad for_ _ _, _ _ _ _ _ _ has to make it short in the final movie. Sad. So that's another spoiler there.

Oh I hate spoilers!

Samson

2007-07-20T17:53:00.001+08:00

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of wonder bread and went right back to bed
And history books forgot about us and the bible didn't mention us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the stars came fallin' on our heads
But they're just old light, they're just old light
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
Told me I was beautiful and came into my bed
Oh I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light
And he told me that I'd done alright
And kissed me 'til the mornin' light, the mornin' light
And he kissed me 'til the mornin' light

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
Ate a slice of wonderbread and went right back to bed
Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down
Yeah we couldn't destroy a single one
And history books forgot about us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first

I love this song. May something dito, ewan ko ba, tear-jerker. Bitter? hehehe

Bad News

2007-07-18T21:26:00.000+08:00

We were just informed early this afternoon, my Lolo suffered from mild stroke. He was rushed to the hospital this morning and is currently under observation in ICU. If only I could make it to Davao. I miss my lolo and lola. Please include them in your prayers. Thanks for your kindness. love you guys soo much!

I'd like to thank these people who showed great concern and extended their help: Kuya Adrian, Ate Anna, Allen, The Light Staffers, and cousins. Thanks soo much!

Thanatophobia

2007-07-13T21:39:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I was browsing on some articles for me to get the idea what to write for the school paper. And I found myself reading Sachiko Estreller's article for PDI's Youngblood. It was a great relief for me reading her article, for we share a common thing. Thanatophobia.

I believe death is something we are not so oblivious about. Everyone knows one has to die, even things of no life perish. I hate it when I encounter the word death, for hearing such word meant losing my loved ones. I cannot imagine myself so lonely, so empty, without them. It is never easy to accept that they have to die. We all have to die. So I guess I have a valid reason to be afraid of death. That is, being lonely.

I have witnessed death myself. Sad to say, it is my brother's death. I realized, it is never easy to let go of someone whom you have spent your life with for years. It is never easy to accept that a person who is one of the people you treasure the most must go in an instant. It is never easy to be lonely, so lonely that you care less of your self and cry your heart out until the last tear drops from one's eyes. It is never easy to hear your parents' grievances for the lost of their son. It is never easy to pretend as if nothing happened. It is never easy to get on with a conversation about the death of a loved one. It is never easy to utter the same words about the cause of death of a loved one. It is never easy to say the words "I love you" to a person whom you think you haven't expressed your love ever.It is never easy to be pitied by people. It is never easy to deal with people with a snake for a tongue. It is never easy. I realized all these things upon the death of my brother. I knew that I am surrounded by people of every hue and material. Some are plastics, some are sympathetic, and some are blasphemous. But these things are just my sentiments.

It is said that one who fears death fears revelation. I do not fear God, for I believe I haven't done anything for me to fear facing Him. It is just that, I am afraid of not breathing, seeing myself lying in a coffin, hear the sober of my family and friends. I don't want to make things hard for them. I don't want to make them sad. Nor do I want to do the same things to them. I hate saying goodbye. To let go for me is a huge challenge.

After the death of my brother, I've been constantly dreaming of my friends' and family's death. The death of my elder brother, death of my cousin, death of my grandma and the most striking of all, the death of my father. I remember that night, when I woke up, sweating and gasping for air to breathe, and wailing about that dream. I was really afraid that the first thing I did was to check my dad if he's still alive. Thank God, he is very much alive. I was really afraid that I woke him up, and told him that I love him very much. I know this might sound too childish for you, but I am afraid to be left alone. Thanatopsis still haunts me in my dreams. Right before I sleep, the forum of multi-persons inside the conference room of my mind allots time thinking of what age will I die and how will I die. I imagine myself boxed in a huge shoe box-like white coffin, and wondering what I wear and how I look. I am frenzied about my death. Sometimes, I pinch my left hand to check if I'm still alive or not. Believe me, I do these things. But I must say, I am mentally healthy.

I believe I am of normal behavior. I assure you that. Still I can't get away with my thanatophobia. But I am trying to overcome this fear of mine and be enthusiastic for my most-awaited eye ball with God. When I read Ms. Estreller's article, I just took a deep breath and whispered, "oh well, it's not only me after all! Thank God, I'm normal!"

So this is a great entry for Friday the Thirteenth

Sino ba Adik jan?!

2007-07-09T21:45:00.000+08:00

hayyy saya 12 noon uwian. Wahaha. Kaya lang ang sama ng epekto ng 7/7/7 sa'kin. Nagkasakit ako. Asthma, fever, you name it! Sinumpa yata yung recto. Mukhang ayoko nang bumalik dun.

Golden boy pala si Monsi kaya ganun-ganun na lang pagwawaldas ng pera namin, este pera pala ng school. Buti at hindi kami nagcover kung hindi magsu-suicide ako. Biro lang. Kamusta naman at may meeting kami at 4 p.m.? samantalang 12 noon ang uwian?! Buti at naisipan ni Ms. Ed na i-postpone. Thank You Lord.Napasabak ako sa gawaan ng bulletin board ulit. (nanaman?!, taon-taon na lang.) Buti na lang at absent ako last friday, may poster-making contest. Wahahaha. Swerte. Swerte derived from real malas. Ayun pala yun. Nauna malas bago swerte. Ay hindi nauna swerte bago malas. Ay, whatever.

At mid-term exams next week. Ang bilis. Pero ayos na yun, tapos P.T. Parang dinaanan lang Senior high.

HELP! Sino ba adik jan? O ex drug-dependent? Raise your right hand! Sige na, I NEED (as in capital N-E-E-D) to have an interview with you! (if you are raising your right hand right now.)
Kasi sa lahat naman ng hahalughugin at gagambalain drug addict pa?

Lord, sana tuwing thursday na lang Asthma attack ko para wala ako P.E., or would love to have an invisible puffers. Pahirap na asthma. .

.Ang saklap naman ng Harry Potter, sold out kagad tickets sa MOA. Bakit kasi isa lang iMax...tsk..tsk..
at may kumakalat na kaagad na spoiler ng HP7 sa school?! magaling nauna pa sa author at publisher!

7/7/7 hoax?

2007-07-07T21:35:00.000+08:00

7.7.7 Saya. Siguro lugi na ngayon ABS-CBN?? Bukambibig ng tao siyete ngayon eh. hahaha.
Swerte nga ba? Parang hindi naman. Ay swerte kasi walang homework. Yun ang swerte.
So what makes seven lucky?Wala lang. Di ko rin alam eh. Ewan ko ba, mga pinaniniwalaan ng tao, hindi mo na rin maintindihan kung minsan!

Ay galing pala ako ng Recto kanina! yipee, nakarating din ako ng recto. Hahaha what an achievement! Di pa kasi ako nakarating dun kahit kelan. Tapos nakarating din ako ng Isettan! hahaha, hindi rin kasi ako napapadpad dun eh. wala lang. Naghanap kasi ako ng books for school.
O yun, swerte yun kasi nahanap ko.wahehehe.

Things to remember before going to recto.
1. Never go to recto alone.
2. Never put your purse or wallet at the back of your pants.
3. Leave your phone at home
4. Bring an umbrella
and lastly, NEVER wear closed shoes or high heels.
remember that.

Ang Kinabukasan Ko (kung saka-sakali)

2007-07-06T22:11:00.000+08:00

naadik na ako sa Need For Speed Own the city Carbon! woooh! Galeng! lalo ko tuloy gustong matutong magdrive. Drag Racing? Pwede rin? hahaha! kidding. Would you believe I can actually drive?! kaya lang sa laro lang. So sad. Matututunan ko din yan. And hoping when the time comes, I would be driving my own car.(yes naman,palakpakan!)Hahaha aliw 'tong laro na 'to kasi,kasi, basta masaya!Ang galing may crew race pa, tulung-tulungan! Kaya lang hindi pwede sa mga bata, kung nilaro nila to, di malabong maging mga holdaper o kung anong klase pang kriminal ang gustuhin nila. May habulan scene pa with the police! Hahaha, sabi ko nga, ang kinabukasan ko, kung saka-sakali ay maging isang kriminal,yung mala-Lupin. Hindi yung sa TV ah, yung sa anime. O carnapper, o basta nagpapahabol sa pulis. Kasi ang galing kong tumakas. Kada takas, may bayad.1,600. O, san ka pa? tumatakas ka na, may bayad pa!Tapos ang galeng kahit ilang bangga pa ng sasakyan o gasgas pa abutin mo sa gutter, voila! Walang gasgas o kung ano pang yupe sa kotse mo. How we wish may ganyan talagang mga sasakyan?! I recommend this game for grown-ups na lang, masama para sa mga kids eh. Sorry kids.

Good news! weeee, 12 noon uwian sa monday! woohoo! Thank you lord at natakdang monday birthday ni Monsi (Monsignor Albert, our school director), kaya lang, crap, baka magcover kami! kasi naman eh, bakit news pa!Kainis!Pero swerte pa rin yun, at least walang class. yehey.
BTW, I was just informed by the great blogs of ayel ang aethen that there will be new seven wonders of the world? cool huh? di ba parang unfair sa mga lumang seven wonders? bakit di na lang idagdag! So sad, hindi pasok Banaue Rice Terraces. Thanks to you guys, dahil sa inyo, meron pa akong dignidad!Niligtas niyo ako sa kahihiyan! Naturingan pa man din akong "world's greatest traveller-wannabe?" hehehe!
Kayo? ano ba maco-consider niyong blessing na nangyari sa inyo ngayon?

I just want to share this poem to you. wala lang.

Staring on an empty page
Dithered thoughts amongst wonders
trapped inside a house
but never felt like home

Now I feel but none
looking through the depths of my mind
still lost, without knowing
I have nowhere to return to.

I see nothing but darkness
through a cloudy pair of eyes
But I never thought those clouds meant
My dear, there's the rainbow, can't you see?

The tale of the stupid name plate

2007-07-04T22:12:00.000+08:00

I'm on the third day of this week, feeling tired ,über-stressed and sick. Good thing it's the boys' turn to be on the death row for CAT. So yey. I'm just hoping we don't have any meetings for The light. Okay, so where should I start? Just baked this not-so-good-looking butterscotch during our TLE class. It was blazing hot inside the lab and we have no choice but to deal with it. So, two groups were permitted to do the activity, and the rest of the groups will have to wait for their turn tomorrow. Would you believe, our TLE teacher is a "no-miss"? Yep, I was really surprised to find out that this teacher,though he's new to our school, has things to offer.Weird for a man to teach such subject. I prejudged him. Silly me. So went on with baking, it was fun, though it wasn't my first time to bake. Just reminded me of the summer days, me, ate and my cousins baked carrot cake. Yum. And how I miss vacation?

So on my way home, I rode this ancient Sarao jeep. Seated at the last seat, I was thinking about some things about school. And this guy, opposite me was staring at me. I dunno. He's not familiar to me. So, got my mirror out and checked if I got dirt or something on my face. There was none. So I asked this guy"kilala ko po ba kayo?" just added "po" but I guess he's just two or three year older than me. So he answered back, "ah hindi, pero kilala kita." What the hell? I haven't seen him before and I'm sure of it. He is not a neighbor, nor a brother's friend, nor a brother's friend's friend. So he was mainly looking at me all throughout the trip. I often catch him looking at me, I just stare back at him, then put away my tired eyes away from his scene. So this long-statured guy finally gave his hint for the manong driver to stop, then uttered these words:"bye tricia". He knew my name! Damn. Who are you? Then as he got up from his seat, he handed me this not-so-good-laminated something. Guess what? It's my name plate! Oh God, sa lahat ng malalaglag, name plate ko pa! dyahe!

Lord, literary na lang please! Palitan niyo na News! waaaaa....
by the way, I want to quote iko for this: "campus journalists can be fashionable too you know"
Currently on a race with my nose. I hate colds!

The kid in me

2007-07-03T22:07:00.001+08:00

Last Sunday, I went to Fojas(grandma's) and supposed to meet Mariel and IC, and Tita Chie. Nanghingi kasi ako ng lupa kay Tita Chie. Sosyalan ba? Nanghingi ng lupa? Tagapagmana kasi ako.hahaha.Hindi I meant garden soil for my narra seed. Kasi project namin is to plant that narra seed. Anyway, wala naman akong napala dahil ININDIAN NILA AKONG LAHAT! Si IC and Mariel, went to SM to buy stuffs, while Tita Chie decided not to go since my other tito just arrived before she was about to go to Fojas. Hay buhay. At dumating ako doon ng 3 pm yata. At nadatnan sila Mara and Camille, my younger cousins. The usual kulitan, I danced with them (can you actually believe it? I'm dancing?! hahahaha!) we danced the very famous "Makulay ang Buhay" dance. Hahaha. Ate "garbage foods", and laughed 'til we dropped. What so weird is that, Mara asked Camille through a whisper (I can hear yah! Next time try to make it a little more like a real whisper. Hahaha!) why do I play with them, and make a fool out of me considering the fact that I am four or five years older. I told them ahh, bakit masama ba? Ayaw niyo ba? Sabi ni Mara okay nga daw, kasi unlike daw her elder sister Mariel, and so with IC, they don't fool around with them that often. Eh ako, kahit saan, kahit kelan, maasahan! hahaha! Eh ano magagawa ko, eh ganun ako eh! loka-loka. More like a clown, but never like pretender. Naalala ko tuloy nung bata pa ako..I remember the days...hahaha. Makulit din ako nung bata. But I guess I haven't get over yet on being like a child. I love it being a kid. Super careless, with no things to worry about, with no consequences to consider.Hay, saya. If I could only turn back the time...No I am not pertaining that I have something to change with my childhood, but there are a lot of things to be improved, if only I am given another chance. Kung masaya dati, gagawin kong super, super, super saya! hehehe!btw, Does anyone of you know that I and my cousins were once print endorsers of a local candy brand? Yep, believe it or not. Through the connections of my Tita O. hehehe.

Speaking of Tita O, bumalik na sila from Hawaii! Yey! dito na ulit si Joey! And how I miss my little boy? Ang hirap pala sa Honolulu, If you prefer to be called by the name you want, you can never have it there. Sa kanila, kung ano pangalan mo, yun na yun. Kagaya ni joey, Joey's full name is Jose Roberto, and called by his relatives there as Jose (pronounced as /howzei/). Eh kunwari pangalan mo tulad nung kay JoArt whose full name is Jose Arturo? eh di pangalan mo dun /Ahrtsurow/? hehehe! Kidding aside, this is their "last stay" for the mean time, kasi once they get back to hawaii, permanent na sila. So we have to make the most out of their stay. Hayyyy...Pero magkikita naman kami sa Sunday. BTW, my mom told me she had a chat with Joey on the phone, He was asked then to tell storied about his stay there, and he told my mom this line:" (name of Joey's cousin, not so sure about her name) told me, "Jose, you're a flirt!" So kamusta naman? Kids these days know what flirt means.Matatalinong bata, yet kailangan ng superb supervision talaga ng parents. hehehehe.

BTW, been told that I'll be working on with news sa The Light. Sa lahat naman ng area, news pa?Ayokong mag-interview! Literary na lang please! Please Ms. Ed!

The endemic muscular shoulder pain

2007-06-30T23:15:00.000+08:00

Last Thursday, We had our P.E. first thing in the morning. We have to do knee pushups, sit-ups and 3-minute step rest. Grabe nakakapagod. the following day, pagkagising ko, ang sakit ng balikat ko! waaaaa, and went to school, and so surprised to find out I was not the only one who has muscular pain. Everybody in our class (except, of course, our teachers) masakit balikat! So as sa stomach, sa arms. Grabe, lahat kami nagrereklamo kaming lahat. Tapos may nagti-trip pa na paluan sa shoulders, ang sakit! Tapos yung mga teachers din, lalo na sa Rel Ed teacher namin, super comedienne! Lahat kami nagco-control ng pagtawa kasi ang sakit nga due to muscular pain as well (sino ba naman matutuwa sa sit-ups for two trials?!) We were all whining because of the pain, and the worst is, our teachers are taking advantage of our situation! Waaaa, I can't believe na hahantong kami sa ganitong kalagayan, hahahaha. Ang sakit talaga! Akalain mo yun? Students, nagco-control ng tawa? weird!
Until now, ang sakit pa rin ng balikat ko, so with my arms! It's killing me! I'm trying to get away with pain reliever, I don't want to be dependent on medicine. I even can't comb my hair, reach for something, eat well, kasi super sakit talaga!

Shoulder?
Arm?
Knee?
Leg?
Head Pains?
YOU NAME IT! I got it all!
(parang SM, We got it all for you!)
Buti nga at nakakapagtype pa ako..huhuhu. PPFT! Ayoko na! Buti na lang last year na to! Wooooo!

I hope it's gone tomorrow! ouchy!

Wala kaming CAT next week, so yey! But, midterm's approaching, damnit.If I could only quit The Light, I would have done it ages ago!

STRAINED MUSCLE, STRAINED SANITY and STRAINED HEART...
doktor kwak-kwak, I need your help! Urgent!

H.a.g.g.a.r.d.n.e.s.s.

2007-06-28T20:42:00.000+08:00

kapagod. Ang daya. Unfair. Ang daya talaga. Akala ko exempted na kami sa CAT. hindi pala. Ang daya talaga. Bakit nauso pa yang CAT. Hay nako...

Grabe first thing in the morning P.E??? at kamusta naman yun? Super Pagod! tapos lahat kami haggard na all throughout the day!Hindi gumagana mga utak namin! as in! Kanina lahat kami wala sa sarili nung Math. Hay nako...

Ang daya naman ng the Light. Akala ko exempted na kami sa CAT, meron pa pala! ang daya talaga! Another Burden (with a capital B!)lang tuloy yun ngayon....*sigh*..

higa sa kama, tapos bagsak! battery empty.

belat!

2007-06-27T20:25:00.000+08:00

wahhh kapagod tong araw na 'to. Two quizzes in one day! at kamusta naman cleaner ako at prayer leader at the same time? at kamusta naman yun? at may C.A.T. pa?!it was a great day,I must say, kahit na nakakapagod. Masaya yung discussion namin nung English, kasi we've tackled parts of Iliad. grabe na-amaze ako kay Homer, ang galing niyang magsulat ng story! To think, all forms of literature is influenced by his work! Galing ng story, far-fetched pero significant naman yung laman! And the story is more than the story as it is, kailangan mo talagang mag-isip. You should have good comprehension skills, kasi interelated talaga lahat ng nangyayari tsaka characters sa isa't-isa. I want to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology, kaya lang wala akong copy eh. Pero alam ko yung tita ko may book nun, so I'll try to borrow it...hehehe!Math, I love math na!(ako ba 'to?) hindi ko na siya hate! hahaha! Thanks to Sir Rosini, ang simbolo ng kapayapaan at pag-kakaisa! (Rosinians, if you know what I mean!)Eye opener ka sir! wooo! Mahirap siya at first glimpse, pero kapag inintindi mo siya and as long as nakikinig ka sa teacher, madali lang! hahaha!
so after classes, diretso sa HQ. At nakihalubilo sa ilang girl friends and CAT officers. Hahaha, sabi nila pahihirapan nila ako, subukan lang nila. Parang super awkward maging CAT officer, pano tatawagin ka by your surname then those who are in higher positions must be called as Ma'ams and Sirs. Si Sir Regala (nice IrwiN!) grabe isa pala siya sa commanders. Swerte at hand-picked ako ni Mel para i-orientate para sa CAT. VIP treatment. hahaha! Hindi ko malaman kung ano yung pinagsasabi nila like "humanay!" yun pala yun, to fall in line, root word niya hanay. yun pala yun. ang bobo ko talaga sa Filipino. Hahaha! Si Angie (nice ma'am angie! titino na!)and Jillian special unit! Thank you lord hindi ako Spec Unit at Medic. walang sakit sa ulo. At pwede pa akong ma-late. hahaha! (bawal kasi ma-late CAT officers eh). Hay nako may formation pa bukas. Pero ayos lang kasi it is the last for this week and on the next. so yey. Kaya lang may GT(graded test). Pero ayos lang kasi memorize lang naman yun. Objectives and Components. Ayos na yun kesa magpagod. Hindi kasi ako Body Kinesthetic eh.Eto nga pala yung objectives ek-ek.

by the way, just recieved my test permit for UPCAT. My sched of exams is on August 4, 12:30 p.m. Hay, buti na lang hindi umaga! thank you Lord!

Anachronism

2007-06-23T21:12:00.000+08:00

I am tired, so tired that I woke up at eleven in the morning. Tired of the school elections, tired of school works, and tired of thinking of changing the course I wrote on my UP application form. every movement of their opponents. The Haaaaayyyy.... I was deeply astounded by the rumors flying in and out of the school about the SSC elections last Friday. Friends turned to foes, plastics doing their thing "making up" with their fellow candidates, scrutinizing the every movement of their opponents. The greed for power is inevitably one of the hidden agendas that is yet to be known by the entire school. The battle between parties, and a-hit-on-the-face speeches, it's so annoying. This is the only dirty election in a school I knew. Backstabbing, It's so sad that these people who are involved are classmates and friends. So sad...I am a stranger
A stranger in a world full of strangers too
A place where I can feel no warmth
so sad...
poignantly empty...

I've been out on the roads searching
for the place I have seen in my dreams.
The place my heart longs for,
The place I can call my home.

Yet, I can't seem to find the place I dream of
The place where my heart rested on.
I am now cradled by this city
Nourished with things that silently kill me.

Now, I live in the world full of strangers
Half buried on the earth I'll be rested forever.
I am shelled in my cocoon
hoping...
I can make this world my own.
A place of vivid colors,
a place where love and peace intertwined.

The Guy of My life

2007-06-17T21:39:00.000+08:00

super catchy ba title? hahaha!...okay, let me start...He is intelligent, hard-working, compassionate, patient, understanding, creative, quite a clown-wannabe. That's all he is. In short, the perfect man. Oops, before you make any guess who's this person I'm talking about, he is not "the guy" you're thinking, he is none other than my father. My "papa" or "pops" when I'm in the mood, "tatay" when I'm in not-so-good terms with him, is far more than the "greatest father of all ages." He is neither the perfect father, nor the best of all, but for me, he is the "best-est" if we got one. I love my dad because he is very showy and vocal as well to how much he loves his family. He is a super intelligent person, and he believes learning doesn't stop at school, it is a daily basis. He always brings out the best in us, his children, and encourages us in everything we do. He shows us wisdom when we're in despair, gives us hope when we lose one. He loves us as much as he love his self, but puts God as number one. He is very compassionate, he loves helping the less fortunate, the deprived, the abused even in his own simple ways. He never failed to give us lessons in life that we should be equipped with, nor taught us things to be kept as knowledge. Though sometimes, he doesn't listen, but I must say he has every reason not to do so. He would consider his family as number one priority than his self. A frustrated clown, I must say, but behind the very comic dances is a very passionate, understanding, and God-fearing man whom I consider as my idol. He loves "mama" so much. Mom is not very vocal with her love to pops, but dad never failed to put up the fire. There are a lot more things about papa that the world still don't know.I could not wish for a better dad because he is the best! (for me!)Love papa sooooo much!

happy father's day to all dads out there!

The week that was..

2007-06-15T21:32:00.000+08:00

Whew! sa wakas nakaisang linggo na rin!, so that means, 201 days na lang pasok! hahaha! bilang na bilang?

at the end of the week, we were able to meet some of our subject teachers, and to my amazement, ang gagaling and ang kukulit nilang lahat!Kung may dapat kainggitan ang ibang section sa Raymond, teachers dapat kasi some of them may coor na teacher, o iba puro coor, so kamusta naman?!I was sooo happy to find out Ms. Regala is our Physics teacher, Ms. Aquino sa A.P., si Sir Rosini (Crossini at pandolino! hahaha!)math teacher, yes! tapos si Ms. Gonzales, though super strict siya, magaling siya magturo! No doubt bakit ganun na lang siyang magsungit, kasi super disciplined...prefect-of-discipline material...And our sched is soo perfect! Last period Math (how cool is that huh?!) There is a certain day na two periods and english (yey!), tapos konti lang A.P, basta masaya!Our first meeting with Sir Rosini was awesome because he shared to us some of his experiences and the story behind his being math teacher now. Super relate ako dun sa story niya nung HS siya, He took med as first choice, and photography as second choice. Gustong-gusto niya photography but his mom won't allow him to do so kasi sabi ng nanay niya wala daw pera sa photography which happen to be my situation as well. Gusto ko din photography, but my parents want me to take up med. Ano kaya, baka sa Math Ed din ako bumagsak?! hahahaha! In my dreams!Super natuwa talaga ako, so I guess maeenjoy ko talaga yung last year ko sa HS. Hay...and bilis ng oras! after 201 days, I'll be out of the school, wearing my toga, and show the world my HS grad certificate..huwaw! Hayy, start of regular classes next week, serious mode ulit na ako, lessen ko na pag-oonline ko...hahahaha! good luck.

wish pwede yan sa school, pagnakita 'to ng Filipino teacher ko, yari!

Firstday Mayhem!

2007-06-12T19:51:00.000+08:00

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....it's the first day of class. It was tiring,and brought me a bad headache. It's Ms. Galang, my MAPEH teacher during my sophomore year. It was good that I don't have to introduce myself for the nth time. First thing in the morning, I haven't slept too much, I can't sleep. I don't know, I'm not excited about the "firstday" thing. So, at 6:00 in the morning, woke up and took a bath. I'm not used to it anymore as my body was trembling to death while I was bathing. So, 6:45 am, I arrived on school, luckily, I saw Rialyn (thanks!), an old classmate, and found out that we belong on the same section. Then, the usual morning routine. I was surprised that this stupid person reserved a seat for me (idiot!).So, no choice, there's only two seats left. So I sat, and good thing our adviser told us that boys must be separated from the girls. Then, introduced ourselves in front of the class.It was good that the only things we have to tell are our name and our previous section.
So, the usual pilot session, read the rules and regulations, etc. And went on with the election. (talk about fast!). Damn, since I am seating on the second row, Ms. Galang asked me to take charge of the elections. It was hard for me to communicate with them, I felt stupid because it's like soliloquy. I was asking for their nominees, but then no one responded. So I asked, and asked again if they do have any bet as president. What's so funny is that, this idiot nominated me! Good thing, votes are tallied, and I didn't won. So yey. Handling the class is a challenge for me for I don't know a lot of faces . So went on with the election, once again, nominated, and without having any initiative to run as Public Relations Officer, I won. damn. I hated it being an officer. So through with elections, practiced our line-ups, passing the paper correctly, forming groups, etc. It was like "martial law." We were asked to recite the Vision-Mission of the school, one by one. It was funny because everyone's busy memorizing the piece, yet they don't have any initiative to find out what's this Vision-Mission all about.

I hated in on my place, for I'm on the second row. I don't even have friends to chat with, from every corners and sides of my place, I don't have any idea who they are. Poor me, it was like being isolated while the others are enjoying the company of their seatmates. This girl from Goretti noticed that I'm too quiet, and tried to have a blab with me. I was not on the mood, for my head is aching, and the results of that stupid election. Nothing so interesting happened in the first day. It went out BORING. Tomorrow, we'll start the class, We'll have this dance enterpretation thing.

Oh, one thing, independence day pala ngayon...hindi ko naalala, preempted with school as usual..Happy independence day!
Ipagyabang mo na ikaw ay PILIPINO!

School! School! School!

2007-06-11T20:25:00.000+08:00

This pair of shoes will set foot on school tomorrow!

Whoa. Tomorrow's first day of school for me. I don't know what to expect because I'll be on a class of total strangers. I only knew a couple or three classmates on my new section. Talk about harsh.This year's tough, for I don't know my classmates at all, and it's my last year this year, so I guess, I'll just make the most out of my "senior" year. Wish me luck! I prepared my school stuffs. I don't know what's the reason behind me being not-so-excited for school. I must say the scent of new stuffs, the addictive smell of new books, notebooks (plastic cover included!) are really something to be excited about, but what's weird is that, I'm not that excited unlike the previous start-of-school years I've gone through. Hayyyyy, may first day funk na kagad, hindi pa nakakapasok.

All set!

whew!

2007-06-10T22:54:00.000+08:00

My battered feeT!

hello philippines, hello world! I'm back! Finally!, So as you can see, I've just finished my layout, so yey. After a few nights of editing the pics and stuffs here finally it's all done! whew! So tired today, after a long journey, (you would not want to know where I've been, I promise) Thank God I was able to attend mass! Sorry Lord if I wasn't able to do my "sunday obligations" truly sorry! After mass, we went to the "palengke" beside the church. It was crowded, loud with voices of different pitches, and extremely hot! Of course, it wasn't my first time being on a public market, I just noticed these things due to my exhaustion. I hate hot and humid places. True it is, "appreciating simple things is the simplest way to find happiness." Though the markets we got here in the Philippines may not be as sanitary as those in Paris, or may not be as spacious as those in Milan, still the "palengke" we got here is uniquely Filipino. I guess the friendliest sellers,buyers, and the sukis is truly "onli in da Philippines." I enjoyed the clatters, the haggles, the sweet chuckles of vendors and their customers from a "tsismisan" session. Whoa, I never imagined myself appreciating these things. Though a jet set to Paris is a dream come true for me, still there are certain things that I'll never see in that haven.

And so I went home, so tired and perspired. and slept. and went to SM. So I went to the shoes section at the department store, to buy my school shoes. The whole place is crowded, with students of juvenile faces for school and their 'rents. So I went through every corners of the place and looked for the pair of shoes that will walk me to school. I went back and forth, and I've found the shoes I wanted. (yey!)But I wasn't so sure what to pick because I wanted them all! (hah! the fetish...)So I asked for the pair of my size.It was too small, so I asked for the next size, and found another pair. So I asked for the pair of my size again, and I felt shy because I was sending this salesman to and fro to get the pairs of shoes I requested.And then he arrived again, with the boxes of shoes I asked for. I tried it on, and I was not satisfied. So I looked for another pair, and asked again for my size. (too picky, huh?!) I was so amazed I have never seen a single stroke of annoyance on his face. Then he arrived again, still with a smile on his face, and of controlled temper I guess, and found the pair I wanted. So I told him this is the pair, and thanked me (sure I thanked him!) and got off. How cool is that huh?! If I were in his situation, I'd walk out and tell that stupid customer "make up your mind!"Hahaha...So I want to thank Mr.Salesman for the patience. Thanks very much! So the battered-feet thing makes sense now? It's painful and it's killing me!Look how abused my feet is!hahaha! needs a foot spa.

THE FICKLE MIND

2007-06-01T00:11:00.000+08:00

The Leaf

I was a fallen leaf
Separated
from its tree
carried by the wind
To who knows where.
Alone.
Lost.
Helpless.
fallen.
Forgotten.

Until...

The sun shone.
The rain fell.
the wind blew.
the earth broke.
A tree grew.
A leaf unfolded.
Fresh.
Vibrant.
Hopeful.
Blessed.
Loved.

2007-05-24T23:47:00.000+08:00

"Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

Look at the sunny side of everything and make your
optimism come true.

Think only of the best,
work only for the best,
and expect only the best.

Forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

Give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.

Live in the faith that
the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true
to the best that is in you!"

-super inspiring! Nakuha ko 'to sa blog ni KC Concepcion..hehehe natutuwa lang ako kasi ang ganda ng poem na 'to hehehe blog hopping lang ako, eto ang kulit ng pic, idol! hehehe

super simple ng idea, pero catchy, galing! visit nyo may kagagawan nyan, hahaha! http://jakee.blogspot.com/

twisted sunday

2007-05-20T20:29:00.000+08:00

It's sunday..last night I got a real bad headache...It's good I was able to tolerate the pain. Fiesta ngayon dito sa amin, pero I don't feel like being feisty. Super kulang sa tulog, and super sad... Madaming pangyayari masyado.. Like one things is, i miss my "nanay" (grandma) because she usually takes charge of the foods to be prepared para sa mga bisita sa fiesta, so sad she passed away last year. the other thing is, my little cousin joey and his parents is about to fly to US mamayang eleven o'clock. Super close kami ni Joey eh. Kaya super sad ako na aalis siya..maraming bagay na nangyari ngayon, sana sooner or later maayos ko na...hay..*sigh* malas pa may sugat ako sa tuhod..nadapa sa hagdan...

Joey, sige pasalubong mo sa'kin Las vegas ha?

to love? to hate?

2007-05-19T23:50:00.000+08:00

hmmm..second post? It's saturday and I got a real bad headache.Siguro dahil kulang ako sa tulog.Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong matuwa or what? Kasi tommorow, sunday, is fiesta dito sa amin..wala lang, and on the same day lilipad yung tito and tita ko papuntang Amerika, and kasama yung pinsan ko..Super sad kasi close kami ng pinsan ko, nung baby pa yun ako nag-alaga dun,and I was not able to say my goodbye. No idea when will they return, it's either ten days or three months. They have to go because of greencard issues. hayyyy...wala talaga ako sa mood ngayon ang sakit super ng ulo ko! As much as possible I don't want to drink medicine, and sa palagay ko mataas naman ang pain threshold ko. Sunday na pala, past 12 midnight na pala. I didn't notice the time. Mayve rest would do to ease the pain. Ciao!