Nah... I Really Don't Think So

Funny to think that I only started my Multiply site as way for me to respond to a blog entry posted by my friend Dianne (whose Multiply account at present has been deleted). I first read the link of her post off of Yahoo Messenger and it started from there.

Starting with "Just Before Graduation", my first ever blog entry, to this last one over four years and four months, I never thought that I would stick to this account for as far as I could. 

Sad to say that despite my attempts to promote The J-Blog Files through my own little ways, I have come to the conclusion that Multiply is far from what it started out to be 4 to 5 years ago and that it can no longer be redeemed. My friends actually got hooked on Multiply first before they discovered Facebook. I on the otherhand discovered Facebook as early as 2006 (thanks to Eliot), and I actually started using Multiply way late, just when I was about to finish high school.

The name of my site, "The J-Blog Files", just popped out of my mind when I was thinking of names for my blog. "J" was certainly obvious while "Blog" made the name sound rather horrendous but the whole name was based on a Canadian TV show I used to watch over at ABC Family, The Zack Files. The tagline was inspired from a quotable quote I got about a year later.

In 4 years however, I have noticed a sharp drop of viewers tuning in to my blog or at the very least have treated Multiply in general the same way they have treated Friendster when it was the "in" social network of the past. Many have migrated to Facebook, Twitter and more recently Google Plus, leaving Multiply in the dark.

As with the case of Friendster, the once formidable social networking giant have now transformed itself as an online social marketplace where it found its niche with internet-based businesses setting shop within the Multiply realm.

I have been thinking as early as two years ago to discontinue The J-Blog Files and eventually move to greener pastures but I found Multiply's still-existing "blogging capabilities" still useful and a lot less complicated compared to Blogger and Wordpress. However, I've made it a point to continue on writing my then-ongoing blog series, "The CSB Experience" up until its recent conclusion just yesterday (July 16, 2011).

I have thought things through and I believe that now is the time to finally discontinue www.jbata5.multiply.com. It doesn't mean however that I'm done with The J-Blog Files for good. J-Blog has become much of an outlet for me to express what's on my mind and heart that I believe it is better off somewhere else.

Thus I came the decision to move The J-Blog Files to a new home, a new location, a new place for me to put "J" in its rightful place: James Habitan Online.

I'm still keeping wraps the finals details of the new J-Blog Files but expect it to be bigger, better and hopefully "updateable" with personal rants still the forefront of my blogs but I'll be also going to put up reviews on movies (once I go to a theater to watch movies every so often), music, television, and everything else "J".

Here's a quick teaser on what you guys should expect (Hopefully before the end of the month):


You think this going to be my one last goodbye? Nah...I really don't think so.

(Posted 11:45pm Philippine Standard Time)

The CSB Experience 4: Alumnus

Entry #260

"Dreams really do come true if you believe..."

Sixty frosh articles, a hundred and twenty-six sophomore journals, thirty junior posts and forty-three published senior entries. That made up nearly two hundred and sixty articles that made up the lifeline of The CSB Experience.

Starting out as my way to document my early days as a college student about to enter a world I will only be in for once in my lifetime, my journals became my companions as I headed the highs and lows of college life. Writing whatever was in my mind and in my heart helped cope with the pressure of doing good and staying sane amidst the difficulties that college life brings.

2 weeks after graduating, I'm in the middle of a transition, moving on to the real world and leaving behind what was once my life for 17 years.

Seven years in St Mary Montessori Learning Center, a year and a quarter-year in Haycock Elementary School, five years in Saint James Academy and four years in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Every single year I spent in the schools I've attended I will cherish forever and always.

Growing up, I always have a dream that eventually turned into something else. I always dream of being someone that my family would be proud of. Someone that people would look up to. Someone who can be something for the greater good.

I'm hardheaded yet weak. I'm weak yet strong. I'm ordinary but special. I always fear that I could mess up a good thing, I fear that I could lose the friends I hold dear because of my actions. But I learned what life taught to me: Accept my weaknesses and cherish my strengths. I'm not perfect and no way will I ever be. But I am strong in ways that I can be myself, that I can do something that will certain to leave a mark. I could be soft-spoken but my mind tends to do the talking.

My teachers, my classmates, my colleagues, my friends, my family. All of them helped out on bringing me to where I am. And for that, I will always and forever be grateful.

I always thought college is going to be especially hard but in reality, I was able to coast-along the bylines, do my thing, work things out and finally rise up to that stage to get that diploma (even if it was fake).

The moment I received my alumni card, I knew that my life as a student is long over. I should get over it and move on. I'm still in relative limbo as I continue to search for my first job, to start make a living for myself and to give back to my parents who gave their all to me and to my siblings.

It's funny that being the third child, I was the second to graduate, and the first male to finish college in the family. My kuya still has to accomplish defending his thesis and hopefully follow up in my footsteps sometime this year. Jorge still has at least  four more trimesters to go before he too will go to that stage and get his own diploma.

I know that there's still a lot that life has in store for me, and I will be there to face them until I breathe my last breath.

The End of the Experience

The CSB Experience 4: Buhay Kolehiyo...Buhay Benilde

Minsan, sa buhay eskuwela....May mga bagay na di mo akalain na may matutuklasan kang mga bagong bagay na di mo akalaing magkakaroon ka.

Kung minsan, di mo inakala na hihigit ka pa mula sa batang unang pumasok dito na labis nag-aalala kung makakapagtapos ba siya paglipas ng ilang taon.

Kaya nga ang buhay Benilde ay isang experience na di mo basta basta malilimutan.



I can't imagine that after four years/12 semesters I'm writing the 259th entry under The CSB Experience (plus 26 entries under The Summer Experience ). I really didn't expect the series to go that long. For four years, I have wrote about all my toils and victories, all my failures and accomplishments, all the changes and the not-so changed.

Taking a look at it now, it's weird how I manage to document what have occured in my college life. And to think I managed to over a hundred blogs in one school year at one time, that says something about how much I changed especially with the way I write stuff about stuff.

College life was never easy to begin with it. But I looked at it on a positive way for I always belive that there is always something to look forward to despite the odds.

I remember there was a time when joining this particular org, Debsoc, proved to be too demanding of my time to the point that I developed a feeling alienation from my block in my first two terms in school alone. That led to writing something ugly that turned into quite a ruckus.

So I decided to deload everything that was bringing me down even if it meant focusing only on my studies for the next 2-3 years and not partake with the things I now regret not doing. It was in this new direction in my college life I discovered something that developed into a passion that I truly want to pursue as a career.

But to be real, as much as college is not an easy pie to conquer, it pays to tone down a little and to relax and not think too much about school. Through the friends I gained do I managed to really enjoy my taking my degree. Friends are always there by your side, ready to support you in any way that they can. And indeed, they're the best part of a healthy college breakfast.

My professors taught me in ways that are more than passing quizzes and bringing home homework over the weekend. Their wisdom, their experiences in life, they have opened my eyes to what's going on around and inside. As what Miss Portia of History would say "Regardless of how long you wrote your essay on a yellow-pad paper, what matters is what you wrote".

I still remember the goofy antics of Sir EJ of Dynarel, the Obando-related stories of Sir Aldwin of Intecom/Gepsych, the out-of-nowhere introduction of Sir Zhan at the end of Sir Henry's SONDESNclass, the kuwela goodness of FILIP13's Miss Myrna and FILIP11's Sir Rafael.

Of course who would forget Sir Lucena (Japan), Sir Magallanes (snob), Sir Brucelas (touch critic), Sir Boyet (saviour), Sir Emerson(food break), Sir Ador (BW), Miss Raffy and Miss Lim, Sir Jesse, Chef Delia, Sir Caballero, Miss Julie Ann (frequent latecomer sa Advedes), Sir Lopez, Sir Rexcel, Sir Dodos, Sir Durian, Miss Lai, Miss Karen, Miss Ipat, Sir Vic, Miss Kay, Sir Matt, Sir Jomel, Miss Dolly, Sir Jaime, Sir Zahn, Sir Henry, Miss Agnes, Sir Ulysses, Sir Chino, Sir Ferdie, Miss Jen, Sir Leo, Sir Dayao, Sir Hansel, MIss Kat,  Miss Olazo-Petriid, Coach (Philoma), Miss Sablay, Sir Rick (Reconse), Miss Melody-Algeb, Sir Russwell-Comsk2x, Miss Mina (despite the laptop issue), Miss Lechoncito, Sir Calopez, Miss Jenn-NSTP, Miss Flor, Sir Contreras, Sir Tiu-Oralcom, Sir Vincent (PEFORTS), Ma'am Fragata and a few other profs who I will never forget (except those who I could no longer remember their names, sorry :D)?

The people I have met, from acquintances to former high school mates, to new friends, to really popular peeps. Just as how I will miss them, I will also miss the food oh yes, food. From Chef's Station to Koi, to All Around to Kitchen Handlers to even as far as Vatel to Soguho (except Pao Tsin), I will surely miss them.

Words cannot express the feeling of happiness knowing that I finally did it. What life has in store for me next, I will face it in full force. The highs and lows of the worad will always be there but I have to live my life the way I want to be.

The CSB Experience is an experience like no other. It has bumps, it has flaws, it is never perfect but it is something that sticks with your for life.

What would have been if I didn't decide to take up ABMMA, to choose CSB as my preferred school? Would it have been as awesome? No I don't think so because The CSB Experience sticks with you for the rest of your life.

PAALAM BENILDE!





***END***

The CSB Experience 4: Soguho

The Solomon Guest House was one CSB resto that I haven't been to nor have I been able to try out what they're cooking every term. So I decided that as a fitting send-off from my alma mater, I made it a manner to book a reservation with my parents to have lunch at SGH. Glad that I did.

Part of the credits why I made this possible goes to Jess who booked my reservation days before when I approached her of possibly going there for lunch after graduation.

Over-all the food was good, the ambiance was nice although it's a bit warm inside and the aircon isn't making the place cool enough inside. However, the warmth makes good of spreading out the aroma coming out from their kitchen where you can obviously see people in chef's attire and toques cooking gastronomic dishes.

I had what they call "Pinakuluang Dory" which is Tagalog for boiled Dory, you know...The fish from Finding Nemo? Hehehehe....They just slain Dory so I could consume its remains, how cruel! LOLz.

Surprise discovery of the day when our waitress turns out to be the daughter of one of my mom's old pals. What a small world indeed heheheh.

Over-all, I enjoyed eating at the Solomon Guest House. I'm hoping that once I have a money-earning job, I'll surely going to head back and try out what they have to offer every trimester.

The CSB Experience 4: The Final Day

My oh my...How time flies. I didn't think I would make it this far but looking back, I remember myself writing how my first day in Benilde went. Of course, with me being so much a tell-all, I just right what I have to write and wrote that whole thing without having to proofread it.

"The First Day" seems to be the most befitting title to describe the very first day of school, especially that it was done hours after I came home that time. With that said I always thought if ever I am, after 3-4 years, were to write describing how my final day in CSB went. But look it here, a few hundred or so blogs later, I get write an article about MY VERY LAST DAY in BENILDE!

So basically, I slept a bit past 12 midnight but I've set my alarm clock at 3:30am so I could prep up for the big day ahead of time. It was a good call although I stayed in bed after waking up until half an hour later before taking a shower etc.

Hahaha, I even manage to publish my previous TCSBE entry which I failed to do so last night because of slow internet connection.

I didn't have to worry much about everything, I have my grad clothes ready, including toga, hat and sash. The tickets for the event are with my parents while I already bought a plastic full of  pandesal the day before to serve as my breakfast (since there's not much food left to munch on inside the house).

We left the house at 6, we got there a bit past 7 in the morning. By that time, there's already quite a number of graduates and their parents loitering the PICC grounds. Soon after, the grads were led by the registrar people inside to assemble. Good thing I got there early since I did miss my rehearsal last Saturday so I have completely no idea where I am supposed to see nor what am I going to do with the whole marching thing.

Thank goodness for Ronel who told me I'm going to sit between him and Jansie. Kaye, who was at that time on her way from the airport, is supposed to be assigned at the far left of our row while Mitch G's on the far right.

As the program is about to start, they already had us lined up inside the PICC main theater, climb up the stairs and wait for their cue for us to make our grand entrance. Fortunately for me an d those in my row, we were placed at the second front row so at least we get to see a lot of the action happening on stage.

A baccalaureate mass was held first, with around 5 presiders "presiding" including the officiating priest. During the homily, I liked the sermon of one of them; about imagining life if talking to God is like talking to a customer service hotline.

I didn't realize this until now that that mass is going to be the last mass I ever attended in CSB, especially that I only get to hear mass usually during Ash Wednesday and those periodic recollections/retreats.

Later on was the commencement exercises proper. One thing I liked about this, you don't really need to practice what you're supposed to when in such an event days before (ehem high school). It's very spontaneous and it sure has its dramatic moments that way.

For instance, when Andrea somehow messed up a bit the line-up of graduates waiting to receive their "nameless" diplomas, the end effect was visually seen when Aya who was walking to get hers got "shoved" by the girl behind her when that particular girl's name was called out by the SDA dean (a bit complicated to really describe the way it happened). Oh, the drama!

When it was my turn to get my "diploma", my heart pounded as my name was being called out (Good thing the dean pronounced my "Jaime" right). I walked onto the stage, looking all serious and smiling at the same time. I approached Brother Vic who handed out the diploma to me. We shaked hands and he Bro. President congratulated me and called me "James"! Hahaha, never have I expect him to know my nickname and I don't know how he knew hehehe. He really is one cool Brother!

As I walked down the stage, I hear nothing but ambience, I didn't hear anything but the pounding of my heart but I thought I heard an ambience of sorts. It was when I found out that the ambiance was actually an applause. An ambience that I will surely treasure forever.

It was right at that moment when the summa cum laude made her speech when I thought about how much me and all the graduates, who are ending their journey in college along with me, have changed since from the time we were all freshmen. Funny to think back especially the highs and lows we've been to and how we survived all those difficult ordeals.

It was after commencement when we all realized that we're finally free to face the world in our own two feet. We may no longer be students but as individuals, much hasbeen in store for our education in life. And what life has in store for us, we are all ready to face them.

Me and my friends made the mostof the remaining time we have left for each other to hug and congragtulate each other. Some of our past professors were there to witness our transition out from college as well as those who have supported us no matter what, most especially my parents.

So much has happened and how I wished I could relive it again. How I wish I could turn back time to relive my moments as a student but at least I know I have one hell of THE CSB EXPERIENCE!

The CSB Experience 4: Blazing Through the Yellows and Reds

A. SPORTS
Ever since being a frosh, I've always wished myself to at least get the chance to watch a Blazers game. The Blazers, CSB's representatives in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), always have in them the passion a drive to succeed. Some of my friends are athletes and I could tell that being a school athlete is not all fun and games for these people.

The men's basketball team in particular have had those rough days in the road especially back in '07 when a scandal involving one fo the players really took a toll on the team's performance in the NCAA. CSB's saving grace at the time was having being the over-all champion in the league for several consecutive seasons but nonetheless, much has to be done to bring back the glory to the men's basketball team.

I've always been hopeful, even now. I have indeed seen the improvements made especially with Coach del Rosario at the helm for the past few seasons. Added plus are the performances of the other athletes in other sports division which fellow benildeans should also recognize. Although it's going to be quite long before we're going to be in the top 3 on NCAA men's basketball, we should consider all the efforts made by the team with the small but considerably big gains they're getting.

B. POLITICS

As Benildean sports is very complicated, it is not as complicated as the going ins with Benildean politics.  I have, through news reported in The Benildean, heard of reports of officers resigning from the Student Council (SC) leaving, student apathy, leadership crises, suspensions, among others.

During election season, I made it a point to take part on voting candidates which I believe in can do the change we, students, want to see, changes that benefits us, changes that we should already be feeling by the middle of every school year. One issue I'm having during the campaign period is that there have been little efforts for candidates and/or their respective political parties to make us SDA students care. The Main campus has long been the center of political life in CSB and most of the political events: debates, etc. have been held mostly there so obviously students who don't exactly have classes in Main hardly feel the election craze (except probably frosh students who pick their own representative in a separate electoral exercise during the first term). I don't know if this is also the case for students in the AKIC, i've yet to ask someone from there if they get to feel it either.

A few suggestions which I think should benefit every student in the college:

1. Make the electoral campaign go door-to-door as much as possible.
2. Have the school electoral debate shown simultaneously on TV sets in SDA and AKIC (especially the one hanging there at the 12th floor cafeteria) for the convenience of the students there, especially during Wednesday C-Break.
3. Have the debate done on every campus' main gathering place. Main has Plaza V as AKIC has the Halles de Rheims as SDA has the Caf (Amphi is nice but the SDA Caf's can attract a larger audience).

I have heard that during the last election, the two main parties (which fortunately stayed intact this school year) had finally took the effort to promote their candidates at the SDA Amphitheater however I don't think awareness were that strong among the students about the election itself, even I myself was unaware about the election that took place last year third term and that was the only time I was unable to vote for anyone (although I initially didn't know any of the candidates for the past two elections nor their ). At least now, we have Partido Ka-Isa and Partido Bagong Benilde as CSB's counterpart to DLSU Manila's Republican-slash-Demorat-esque Tapat and Santugon.

As far as student apathy is concerned, it's a result of the ineffectiveness of past SC administrations for not being able to push through with most of the changes the elected few promised to the students.

But knowing that since last year there were at least efforts to have the SC in the near future become a true representative to the voice of the Benildean student body, I am hopeful that such will truly come into fruition for the long-term.

The CSB Experience 4: Celebudents Reloaded

I remember when I wrote an article about "celebudents", Even before I've always been curious how they handle being looked at by fellow schoolmates or sometimes being talked about behind their backs, among other things because of their celebrity status (which by the way differs depending on how they are known for). But nonetheless, they're just as human as we regular people are and I myself always feel embarassed when I get to talk to one, obviously starstrucked by their presence. I do apologize and later on move on with my life hahaha.

Even now I still see celebudents roaming around and being the TV geek that I am, I feel fulfilled meeting one of them in person. They're really nice and it's really when you know how they are in person will you realize they're not these characteresque people as we thought them to be. Some of them I happen to have become really good friends with although I do think I have to reconnect with them sometime soon.

Just today, I happen to do just that when I bumped into an old friend whom I known even way before becoming a celebrity early this afternoon. Can;t say much but indeed, it is nice to reconnect again.

Celebudents will always be around. It's okay to feel starstrucked if you're that type of person but as long as you treat them as everyone else who go to school to study and all that then you see that they are just like us.