The Show of the Century: Beijing Olypics Opening

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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?