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.

The CSB Experience: Just Before Graduation (The Last Pictures of Benilde)

With only less of a day left before the big commencement, I decided to make the most of my last day as a student walking in the halls of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. From the moment I stepped into the school at noon to have lunch until leaving the premises a quarter before four, I spent every single minute reliving the moments that shaped my life for the four years that I stayed here.

I started by buying myself my last meal as a student from Chef's Station. To make it even memorable, I brought with me my camera to savor the moment. I even asked the CA guys doing their practicum there if they could pose together for me to take a picture (including the lovely pair from KOI).

I then went to SDA to also relive some moment there. Unfortunately, I didn't shot every floor though but I did manage to meet some very important people there. There was Chuck, Sir Zhan, Kim, and a few more others.

Shortly afterwards, I headed towards AKIC. It's been a while since I last stepped my foot there. First thing I did was checking out the ninth floor, take a picture of it then headed downstairs to go and see if Chef Delia is in the SHRIM office. She was, after-all, my only professor coming from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management. Later I happened to get bumped into Bea who I haven't seen in a really long while since our frosh days as classmates in FILIP13. I took one more stop in the AKIC Caf where I happen to chance upon Mikko who is finally doing his practicum as one of the chefs of Chef's Station AKIC (lol redundancy).

I finally left Taft to go for my other commitment of that day, a job interview. Quite funny thinking that a lot has indeed changed since I started going to school and how often these changes will shape life studying on this side of Taft. Among the changes: A refurbished UM is no longer a smoker's haven, McDo-La Salle is finally getting that overdue facelift, that old parking besides Kenny Rogers is now home to Mang Inasal, Jollibee had a slight facelift from the inside. Along Vito Cruz, a condo building next to SDA is now half finished (to think that same property used to be a series of small internet cafes, eateries and mini-dormitories), the old building housing a printing shop, a grocery store, an inn and a few more establishments have been closed down by the owner while the building next to it became a condominium-slash-outdoor food court.

Hay, I can't imagine what will happen to me now that after tomorrow, I will lead life after Benilde.

The CSB Experience 4: Expectations, Goals, Ambitions, Adjustments, etc. FOUR YEARS LATER

    In less than 2 days from now, I'll be leaving school for good. As I look back to what I have wrote as a frosh about my expectations, goals, ambitions, and adjustments, here's an update if ever I was able to fulfill within four years the things that I want to achieve in this list.

Expectations
-I expect myself to increase my study hours so as not to fail any of my subjects since it is hard to make up for it. Oh yes. Puyatan to the max hahaha!
-I expect my full attention to any lectures given by our teachers. I really have to get myself out of daydreaming, it really sucks bigtime! Turns out it's not so bad having daydreams, especially later on in college. It helps get your creative juices going.
-I expect myself to be fully confident in pursuing lifelong interests. Walang hiya-hiyadapat  kasi kung gusto ko iyon, eh di go for it! I manage to do a few of those "lifelong interests" but there others that turns out to be not so "lifelong" at all.
-I expect a code-switching crisis between speaking ESL and the national vernacular. Oh yeah, there's that pala.

Goals
- My number one goal is to finish my schooling so I really have to take one step at a time. Need I say more?
-next goal is to have my time organized. Since I have a non-consecutive schedule (hindi sunud-sunod bawat araw), I really have to make the best out of it. Kaso it's hard to do to become organized with lots of your free time balancing doing projects and momentary breathers.
-Last is  to make friends with the guys from my block. It's hard to get around of you don't know anyone. And I went beyond the block. Let's stick with that.

Ambitions
-I want to finish college no matter what. Ambitious indeed.
-I want to change my after-school lifetsyle. Turns out that sleep is something I really want to do after coming home from school (if only Facebook didn't exist hehehe)
-I want to make sure that I don't forget anything important. But I did!
-I want to leave my clumsiness in high school for all eternity. Clumsiness will always be with me no matter what. It's in the genes.

Adjustments
-I have to adjust myself from Malabon to Taft Ave. And Vito Cruz and Arellano and Estrada, and...
-I have to adjust myself to the traditions being followed in Benilde.GO REKTIKANO!
-I have to adjust myself to the rules and regulations being placed upon all Benildeans.May the power of the D.O. be with you.
-I have to adjust myself to my different schedules throughout the week. And I have to adjust myself getting 5 hours of sleep to go to school early morning to wait for my 6pm class.
-I have to adjust myself from taking pictures almost everyday and turning them into slideshow movies. I have to stick it to my mind that I'm no longer in SJA. And yet I did, upgraded nga eh.
-I have to adjust myself to get along with people with different personalities.Had a hard time dealing with this reality but everything went well when it panned out.
-Last is that I have to adjust myself to the street life of Manila. I'll miss not going to school because of Araw ng Maynila every June 24 :(

Weird and awkward is how I'm feeling as I'm reading what I've wrote. But I'm glad I manage to fulfill most of them. Strange isn't it?

(By the way, I may not be done with the The CSB Experience past July 2 just yet. I have so many people to thank that I may not be able to write them all in one day tomorrow so stay tuned!).

The CSB Experience 4: Things I'm Proud to Have Done

If there is a list of regrets, there's another list for non-regrets. I'm happy for the things that I have manage to do and achieve.

1. Going to CG Overdrive and going to overseas.

2. Joined an org in MediaMax that made me feel like I belonged

3. Joined an org that made me realize that I don't need to push myself too hard to become memorable.

4. Going to Graphika Manila after 2 failed attempts

5. Joining the FOP as a volunteer orientor for three terms.

6. Represented my school in a radio program loud and proud even when I froze live.

7. Becoming an intern in a legendary radio station

8. Becoming friends with multiple circles of friendships

9. Been to all three campuses of CSB: Main, AKIC and SDA

10. Ate at all three Chef's Stations

11. Got to eat at Vatel Restaurant-Manila (and hopefully Solomon Guest House by graduation)

12. Met amazing people behind-the-scenes, behind-the-curtains and behind-the-mic

13. Did my thesis despite the odds

14. Made friends with people outside my course

15. Found out today (June 30, 2011) that Lance's friend, Mark, is not the guy in that Nissin Cup noodle commercial that has been troubling me for years.

I realize today that academics or loyalty does not always equate to being memorable. I myself want to be remembered but I only know now that being "memorable" does not require having to boast a medal, a piece of paper, or any material thing that is used to represent recognized.

It is nice and humbling to know that I need not worry of not being remembered at all because I found out that people now know my name. Hearing that huge applause that day when I stood up to go in front of the microphone to ask a question during today's special awarding ceremony, words cannot describe the happiness and fulfillment I felt.

I am fulfilled.

The CSB Experience 4: Things I Regret Not Done

In life, there will always be things that you will regret not doing, for better or worse. I myself have to accept that fact with a heavy heart when circumstances does not end up in my favor. As with the case of me leaving Benilde, I have a lot of things that I have regret the most of not being able to do it before for most of my duration as a student.

1. Not being part of the Benildean Press Corps

2. Unable to continue being an athlete

3. Unable to join those annual photography trips (Camarines Sur for starters)

4. Unable to join STRAINS when I still have time (was there STRAINS back in 2007?)

5. Unable to join other orgs that doesn't have to do with debate.

6. Unable to learn Filipino Sign Language

7. Never able to audition for Coro San Benildo, Dulaang Filipino or even the Green Peppers (CSB Pep Squad)

8. Unable to submit anything that BPC could feature for their publications.

9. And finally, being unable to go to my own graduation rehearsal and have my class picture taken.

Nonetheless, I'm proud of what I have accomplished and it's more than extraordinary that I was able to have done them in the first place. And for that I'm happy

The CSB Experience 4: Jamers of Benilde (Class of 2011)

Never thought I'd be writing a piece about this again after nearly four years. But with only less than 3 days to go before graduation, I think now is a good time to update this list especially that I've met quite a few more Jamers since I made I wrote that last piece. In the past four years, I've already met and seen Jamers come and go in the halls of CSB: Ace, Liana, Maan, Carol, Bilog, Nikko, Albert, Nicky, Erwin, and Revo.

So far by July 2, some of us will be leaving school as well:

1. Justin Santos-Possibly someone the movie industry should watch out for. I heard he'sa really good visionary, a director, a filmmaker. I've seen the trailer of his video thesis online and you could tell that he has the makings of being the next Gerry de Leon. We'll have to wait and see.

2. Angelica Punto-ONe of the nicest people I've met both in high school and in college. Who knew that she would end up as one of SJA's best products? Getting top honors sure is no easy feat for her but she did.

3. Francis Calayag-Calayag is my fave chef, well...so are Nikko P. and Joseph but simply because I've been a regular to the three peep's version of Chef's Station (whether it's based on AKIC, Main or SDA). I see him being head chef of his own 7-star hotel restaurant.

4. Fred dela Peña-Fred is possible the most lovable persons you'd wanna meet. he was supposed to take up MMA like me and a few others but he chose to take another direction in his college life, Industrial Design. If he can make a working object that actually works and made from scratch, I'll bet my money to make him come up and assemble piece of appliances for me hehehe. Just kidding.

5. AJ Rosit-This is one day I haven't seen much throughout my entire stay in CSB until lately when we shared the same advisor for our respective thesis and we worked together for our exhibit. Who can forget that both of us joined a particular contest which I would rather not remember? Hehehe.

So these are the people officially out along with me by July 2. Next is a list of people who have yet to get their final calling until later on.

1. Janeen Amores-The first ever Jamer I've met from Batch '10 who ended up in Benilde. I knew her way ebfore since we used to to the defunct St. Cecilia Music Studio in SJA. She may be petite but she can sure make kuwento so commuting along the LRT with her will certainly be a chatfest!

2. Mica Siochi-The last name reminds me of a certain someone but nonetheless, I've known Mica back in grade school when we were members of AKAP. We're connected not only through that club but also through my brother Jorge, Mica's batchmate. Being a very supportive meber of her own org, I see her taking on her leadership skills to the next level.

3. Carlo Alcala-How we've met was quite interesting knowing that he's from Janeen's batch which I never really expect that anyone from there aside from her would ever recognize me considering I was in the senior batch back in HS when they came in. Eventually, I got to know him a little bit better when we were both volunteers for this year's Frosh Orientation Program. Being a sophomore MMA student, I expect him getting the hang on late nights working on projects and long nights making bonding sessions with his PC (as with the rest of his MMA brethren). Good thing he has the suport of his college friends to back him through the highs and lows.

4. Joseph Alipo-on-Okay...I didn't expect this guy to last this long knwoing the duration of his course is shorter than my own but given that he's an athlete, I guess he has to give time for his extra-curricular commitments. He's the latest in the string of SHRIM Jamers who served food for me during their time at the Chef's Station. One of my last meals in Benilde would be a dish made by him.

5. Russel Plata-Never knew him much back when we were in Grade School but it was nice knowing him when we both ended up as classmates in 2DANIM2. I believe he still has a couple of terms or less to go before graduation so wishes of luck to him.

6. Mich Cruz-Another batchmate of Jorge, she recognized me when she learns about my last name which connected me to my brother. We met during my first tenure as a volunteer for the FOP a year ago. All I could say is she knows how to move to it!

7. Amanda Villanueva-Surprise Benildean Jamer of the year. I know she went to a different university but I was told she just made the move to the other side of Taft so I guess that's added points for the Blazers in boosting up their chances on the volleyball front. She actually saw me earlier today when I was getting something to drink inside the Main Caf so mainly she's the inspiration behind the post actually lolz.

So sad that I will be leaving what has been my home for 4 years but all good things must come to an end. But one thing's for certain, the SJA presence in CSB will continue to be felt for a long time.

For God, For Country, For Saint James!

The CSB Experience 4: TOGALAND!

Still bitter over last Saturday's events but that should not deter me from feeling of anticipation that commencement is going to bring for me and the hundreds or so students graduating along with me.

Early this afternoon, I was able to get my toga, complete with a sash(?) and a weird-looking hat with a tail attached heheheh. I know from the get-go we're all just renting out these togas but I didn't expect those togas to have been worn or was used before by another La Salle school no less.




And looks like the togas have been around right when DLSU-Dasmarinas was still Emilio Aguinaldo College (not in relation to present-day EAC). Cheapscake much? LOL! But anyway, as soon as I got it, I tried putting it on and wearing it it really made me feel like a million bucks of awesome hahaha.

Now that I have my toga and all, I still have to take care of a few more errands in preparation for the end of days that's COMMENCEMENT:

1. Haircut
2. Nailcut
3. Ironed polo and pants
4. Hotel reservation at Traders (just in case)
5. Fix my phone
6. Planning to have grad lunch at either Szechuan or at the Solomon Guest House, among others.

Hay, so near yet so far. Only 5 days to go!

The CSB Experience 4: SHOUTOUT For The Finale Week

Tik tok, tik tok goes the clock as I count the remaining days, the remaining hours and the remaining seconds of my life as a college student. In less than a week from now, the end of the road I worked hard for nearly a quarter of my life has finally come to an end. Me and some hundred or so students will be marching at the Philippine International Convention Center for our commencement rites this coming Saturday.

Such a shame though that the kickstart to the end was completely ruined because of the rains the wrecked havoc across Manila which left our place flooded to almost hip-deep levels. Such a shame that CSB actually pushed through with the graduation rehearsal and class picture-taking scheduled for that day. It was really heart-wrenching to know that a lot of my batchmates actually took the effort on going there and I didn't because it was actually impossible on my end to go to southward to Manila given my situation.

I was crying later that night. I didn't want to accept that it happened. That college class picture plus the rehearsal was to be one of the defining moments for my send-off from school and both didn't happen. I was really looking forward to it and fortunately for others, they know have some extra something special to remember forever in their college lives that I will never get to experience ever.

By coincidence, this is such a huge recall as this is more or less a shout-out from 13 years ago when I wasn't able to take part in what could have ben my very first grade school class picture because I contracted a case of chickenpox from my little brother which was the same reason why he wasn't able to go to our school field trip to Tagaytay a week before.

Realizing that, I just couldn't help but feel depress. Even up til now, I still can't get over the fact that one of things that I should have experienced in college will no longer happen. I jsut hate it, simply hate. Even the thought of me makes me wanna punch a hole or something.

Sayang...I was telling Danya that we're both going to brave the flood just so we could get to the venue in time. The day before I was hoping the flood would recede to the point that it's low enough for jeeps to travel on passable routes and I could ride on a tricycle de padyak to take me to the temporary loading bays for jeeps at the barangay's central area. But on the day itself, the floodwaters outside the house rose up overnight, reaching our garage inside. Adding insult to injury is the unpredictable rainshowers coming on and off throughout the day before completely halting by day's end. Plus, my dad would never allow to go out at that point.


I could have been there...I should have been there. It's just frustrating I know but there's nothing that I could do now. I just have to force myself to move on or at least comes to terms over these feelings of regret and frustrations.

On the brighter side of things, I just have to make sure that I won't miss the big day itself, GRADUATION DAY. Fearing that I might end up like one of my high school friends who missed his own commencement rites yesterday because of the weather, I already asked my mom to book a reservation at Traders Hotel just in case CSB foolishly goes ahead with the event at the height of a storm. They better not.

And yeah, I'm planning on having a much-needed haircut after two months of letting it grow to look like a beatlecut from the 1960's hehehe.

I'm really hoping that nothing would stop me from living and re-living this moment. I already missed out the rehearsal and the class picture (which I hope it doesn't end up on the yearbook at this point) so I'm making sure I'm going to get the perfect treat of an ending for my CSB EXPERIENCE.

Bow! :D

The CSB Experience 4: Over the Green Fields for One Last Time

Going to De La Salle University's centennial celebrations have been 4-years in the making for me. I never exactly thought that it would be possible but fastforward to 2011 and I made that plan possible. And indeed, this is surely going to be the highlights of my CSB experience as the day of my graduation looms ever so near.

Over the past week, I actually managed to attend three major events in line with the 100 Years celebration of the Lasallian presence: The Proudly Green musical event occurred last week (June 11) at the SMX Convention Center, the blessing of the new MFC Building (a.k.a. the newly-acquired Mayflower Building) in CSB and the best one of them all: The Centennial Celebration happening on that side of Taft last June 16 Thursday.

It is indeed an awesome experience definitely. Just goes to show the perks of being a student of a Lasallian school hahahaha. But kidding aside, I never thought that I would be even be a part of this especially that DLSU nor even DLS-CSB was my first choice of school but nonetheless, my love for all things green helped me make my choice of school which I ended up never regretting.

Mayflower



The newly-blessed MFC building was the latest addition to CSB's Main campus. It's complete with a courtyard (a much needed open space for the rather space deprived campus) and a big ol' tree just beside the building. The newly-renovated and newly-whitewashed MFC is now home to several offices and departments including the Student Council, the Student Involvement Office (Cubes 2.0), the Department of Student Life, and all other offices previously found on the second floor Solomon hall. Only the Sport Development Office remained there.

After the blessing, free food was served at the 4th floor MFC. Afterwards, a mass was held in front of MFC followed by the planting of the 1 millionth tree (I think) within the courtyard grounds. SHRIM students served us some free food afterwards at the newly refurbished ground floor area (all-tiled up, painted in white and the airport all but a reminsicent of a previously darker ground floor area in the past years). Mmmmm....

Inside DLSU-M




I have been inside DLSU several times but not the fullest extent that I have been into until last Thursday. It's a good thing I still remember all the shortcuts within the hallways and the walkways to get myself around especially if I were to avoid swarms of people going by hehehe.

Lots of celebs connected one way or another in La Salle have graced the halls of the university that day and I manage to get sight of those peeps: Rowell Santiago, Gary V and his son Gab, Director Joey Reyes, among others. There was even a concert held that night where bands like Kjwan, Sandwich and Peryodiko serenaded us. Too bad when Kjwan was asked to stop with 3 songs the crowd booed at the hosts hehehe.

I managed to meet up with some old friends and acquintances inside but over-all I was all there by myself (sad really hahaha). I happen to catch some other events happening simultenously including a mini-concerto of "strings and stanzas" besides the University Library which by the way now has its own Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf cafe. I was lucky to get access one of their PC's to do some much needed net surfing hehehe. There was also a commotion along Agno where there was a street party happening over there.

Highlight probably is the final act happening at the central plaza of the university, with The Dawn belting out the best of their hits in their era, timeless I must say. And indeed, how could they not end their set without Salamat as their final song? And what a surprise that we got Gary V and company singing the Alma Mater song with us as we wait for the grand centennial fireworks display hahaha.

It's just so awesome and I love it!

ANIMO BENILDE, ANIMO LA SALLE!

The CSB Experience 4: Experiencing The First Day Without Me

Okay, nostalgia-trippin' officially starts with this blog hahaha.

I know I haven't been writing as much as I would have if only I have the time to do so every week for the past 2 years except I never manage to do so consistently. But hey at least I can get to write whatever's in my heart's desire right?

Two and a half weeks ago, I went to school during the first day of the new school year 2011-2012 as I would normally do except that this time around, I no longer came there as a student.

I came there as a, :gulp:, a graduate-to-be.

Hate to say it but yes, I'm mere weeks away from marching my way to get that most sought after college diploma inside the PICC.

Signs of being an alumnus is already showing this early. Just last week, I was watching the CSB volleyball varsity practice game at the school gym. I was sitting alongside a block of SHRIM froshes who were apparently about to have their first PE class there. Then one of them who was sitting right next to me suddenly called me out and it went a little something like this:

"Kuya, ikaw ba ang prof dito?"

And I was like, "WHAAAAT?!" in my head. I just shook my head and told her I'm not but for a good period of time my face was like froze off because, of all the things she could have asked about, this little girl thought I'm a FREAKIN' PROFESSOR!!

What the how? And to think she started off calling me "kuya" before proceeding with that question.

Well, there's nothing I can do much about it. A lot of the younger batches are already calling me kuya in school at the tender age of 20 anyway. To think that when I was starting out in college people thought I was looked to young to be a college boy (well, that actually says something about faring in college for more than three years hahaha).

While I still wait for the end of my days as a student forever...I still come to school to savor those last few moments of being a student there as much as I can.

ANIMO BENILDE!

The CSB Experience 4: WTFOP (Frosh Orientation+La Noche Solidaridad de Frosh)

Wow I can't believe that I'm still writing a new entry under The CSB Experience since I started the whole shebang almost exactly 4 years ago, May 23 2007 to be exact.

And what a timely matter indeed. I'm just fresh off from having the time of my college life, leaving a legacy to the next generation of frosh walking along the hallways of CSB.

What am I talking about? I'm talking about this year's Frosh Orientation Program (FOP). What a twist having to find out that the FOP this year is going to be a two-part event, the second-part which we integrated the previously-separate Frosh Solidarity Night to form a solid launching pad kicking off the new school year which starts next Monday, May 23, 2011.

May 23, was actually the day of my own FOP (specifically ID107 MMA peeps). This was the day where I first met my blockmates, the people who will start their journey with me for the next four years. So it was really extra special for me to hear that May 23 is going to be the FIRST DAY for the ID111 frosh.

It felt so surreal grabbing the chance to experience this all over again thrice as an orientor. Knowing that I won't be in school as a student anymore, FOP was a way for me to complete my college experience (well there's the case of having the need to get some extra baon from my parents even if I'm officially a part of the unemployment rate).

During my first year in college, I tried to be everything, I want try out for something but somehow it never worked out. I tried to be a student athlete, I tried to be a student artist, I tried to be an active member of the student body but somehow along the way: shyness, inhibitions, and rejections took over and depression reigned on me. I tried so hard trying to be one of everything that it took a toll on my self-esteem.

I started thinking that I'm not good nor fit to even be in those kind of positions that I wanted to reach so bad.

Then came the days, the weeks, the months, and the years where I just focused on my studies. It was only when I was out of that depressive state have I realized that I should not give up. I have to battle my inhibitions and my doubts to finally give myself a second chance.

Then came the opportunity to join the FOP last year, for two terms. It's one those big decisions you've made in your life that you know you're not going to regret EVER. I met a lot of new friends, new buddies, and it changed the course of my CSB experience forever.

This year's FOP was just as awesome as the past two FOP's I did last year only we totally owned those three thousand-strong froshes in little less than 2 days.

To be quite honest, I should agree to what some of my fellow co-orientors, mas na enjoy pa namin ang FOP kaysa sa mga mismong frosh hehehehehe, The first day, we had the FOP held at all three campuses of the school then the second was when we had the FSN at the Folk Arts theater. The Bloomfields and some DJ gave us solid entertainment to cap off the event but most importantly, it was at that point that we orientors celebrate the start of something new.

Indeed, FOP will forever be the biggest highlight of my college life. I would like to thank all the new friends that I have met along the way (all the way from last years): Marco, Abby, Tin, Larii, Earl, Harold, Meryl, JP, Katty, Allister, Kim, Migo, Pe, Demy, Carlo, Bjorn, Airah, Shove, Jessica, Miss Norie, Miss Lanie, Flor, Ana, John, Nicole, Aster, Hans, Ken, Alexandra, Mikki, Mary Grace, Maureen, Dean, Kiran, Dominic, and so many others who are just as awesome as those who I've mentioned.

Awesome to the highest power...This soon-to-be alumnus is very happy.

-------
Check out these first few entries I wrote under The CSB Experience (when I'm still writing crappy English back then):
Frosh Orientation: http://jbata5.multiply.com/journal/item/31
La Noche Solidaridad de Frosh: http://jbata5.multiply.com/journal/item/40

The CSB Experience 4: An Almost Defense (The Final Fight of My College Life)

24 hours ago, I was standing in front of three ladies sitting plus another one sitting by the side. Sweat is drenching my sando wet beneath my black polo shirt with white stripes and my leather-coated feet are numb from all these pressure. It was at this moment that I knew that this is going to be the highlight of my CSB experience: The final fight of my college life, the final fight of my life as a student for 17 years.

Earlier that day (April 29, 2011), it was almost past 2am and I called it a night after hours of polishing all that is needed for my upcoming external defense for my thesis film, "An Almost Affair". Lucky for me, I have the whole day ahead of to do some last-minute changes and some last-minute errands to truly make worth of all these.

 My parents, especially my mom had a lot of faith in me and I know that I could not let her down. She has been supportive of my efforts ever since I started my thesis project a year ago despite my dad's objections. My dad, who was reluctant of my capability of the task ahead, swore to me months before that I won't be able to finish this nor will I be able to finish school on time. He only got one part of that right though: I definitely did not finish school on time as I decided way before that I'll be extending my stay for at least one term to give myself time to finish my requirements (aside from circumstances beyond my control).

Seeing that my own dad doesn't have that much faith in what I am doing, I worked extra hard to prove him wrong that I can be able to accomplish my task even if it kills me (well, not exactly but it gave me sleepless nights however hahaha!).

Fast-forward to yesterday, I woke up and ate breakfast before storming my way back to my mom's laptop to do some last minute checking. After reviewing the DVD I burned the day before, I saw some flaws that I needed to correct. Fortunately, I had the benefit of time to do this in addition to having to print out my forms and other what not.

I left that afternoon to go to Malabon to pick up my collaterals. Hours earlier, I was able to call them to check up on my order (3 sets of customized desktop clocks and bagtags) and the printing shop who I hired to do my order said I could picked them up. It was a joy for me actually because earlier that week, their shop was closed for two straight days before Friday. Such a relief that they decided to not close shop on THIS particular day.

Afterwards, I flew away to a mall in Manila near my school to have my hair cut. That cost me 300 smackers which kind hurt my wallet because my mom only gave me Php200 to cover for my hair-cut (Too bad, I should have chosen Gruppong Barbero in Pedro Gil if I am truly on a tight budget). Soon, I went to my mom's office to pick up my poster plus my collateral t-shirts who I asked her to bring with at the office.

With less than an hour to go, I went to Vito Cruz with my eyes set for the gold. As I laid foot on the SDA's steppes, I had a brief glimpse of the whole building, pausing before stepping inside.

Since we, thesis defendants, were told by Miss Lai to go to panel in costume, I decided to look the part of the unfaithful husband in my story, I even brought with me the same ring that one of my actors wore during filming, a gold ring with embedded snow symbols.

It was near-past 7pm when our batch were finally allowed to defended their respective projects. I was supposed to be second in line but due to some mishaps, I was bumped off to defend 4th to the last defended. It was okay as it gave me additional time to properly check on everything on my end.

Finally, the hour of judgment came upon me. I know that I cannot afford to make any mistakes so all I have to do is do the best that I can do, be confident and be honest with every single word that I utter.

I was lucky that I didn't have to show the panelists my PowerPoint presentation as I only have to summarize to them what my project is all about in order to save time before finally show the whole project. While the movie was playing, I could see that everyone in the audience (including Miss Lai and Poch who stayed to watch my work) were reacting well. Although there were some minor mishaps in terms of the weird volume levels of my movie's audio, it didn't stop everyone from totally enjoying "An Almost Affair".

After the showing, they gave me their critique. Most of them were positive, with the negative ones I also took into account as well. What was really fulfilling was when they said that it is amazing that I was able to achieve everything I worked hard all by my lonesome although I was told that I have to be more of an "extrovert" especially in terms of my scriptwriting skills. They say it's too tight so I have to make it more "conversational" hehehe. I guess I could blame the way that I write on how I was trained in Sondesn in terms of making scripts, not to mention my internship as a scriptwriter for a radio program hehehe.

Nonetheless, after they gave me the verdict, letting me know that I PASSED! My work's not gonna go to the archive though but knowing that I passed is enough for me to really call this a victory.

I wanna cry right now....And as I'm writing this extremely long blog entry, tears are flowing down from my eyes. I just could not believe it. I finally did it. All those hard work, all those hardships, and all the ups and downs I have to endure and undergo for the past four years have all bore fruit.

Soon enough, this chapter of my life, lasting 17 pages long, will end in three months. Three months from now, I'll be in that stage and getting that diploma that was 17 years in the making.

As I am about to leave college, a bigger world is waiting for me under its wings, to face reality and begin the rest of my life.

By July 2, 2011 the CSB experience will be finally complete.

The CSB Experience 4: The Upcoming Fourth Third and Final Finals Week

Wow….Lapit na ba? Di nga? Seriously? Naks…

Parang kailan lang talaga, sinusulat ko noon kung gaano ako kinakabahan dala ng finals week. Much more na lagi ko sinasabi na pahirap at pahirap ang mga kinukuha kong mga klase kada term kaya wala dapat akong excuse para maglalamya-lamya lamang.

Sa susunod na linggo, simula na ng fourth-third-and-hopefully-final finals week ko sa Benilde. As always kinakabahan ako pero di gaya sa mga nakaraang trimester, mas lalo akong nag-aalala ngayon dahil ito na nga mismo ang make-or-break moment ko. Lunes na Lunes pa lang, magiging busy ako dahil finals ko sa BIZ2 class ko. Buti na lang, walang pagsusulit ang kinakailangan sa’min kungdi mga revisions lang sa final business plan namin. Frustrating lang talaga na kinakailangan talaga na i-ayon ko sa kung ano ang gusto makita ni Miss Lim ang papel ko. Considering na na-late ako nung araw ng defense ko, di ko afford ang di pumasok na maaga dahil alanganin na ako rito. Kailangan ko ring alalahanin na may kailangan akong isumite sa kaklase kong si Ralph para sa ipapasang CD para kay Miss Lim.

Sa Miyerkules naman, medyo dapat noon ko na dapat tong binigyan ng pansin: ang pagbuo ng mga reflection papers para sa Ordev-C ko kay Chef Delia. Alam ko na anytime ay maari ko na lang iyon isubmit pero ang daming mga pangyayari na nagpumigil sakin na gawin ang isang bagay na kasing-simple kagaya nito. Hay….

Pero ang di ko talaga dapat palampasin ay ang darating na external defense ko sa PROJ2. Thesis film ang bibigyang depensa ko kaya dapat na ipaghanda ko ito ng mabuti. Pero mas kinakabahan ako dahil habang sinusulat ko ang blog na ito, wala pa rin akong ideya kung natanggap na ni Miss Lai ang aking email kung saan naka-attach doon ang mga hinihingi niyang mga dokumento at iba pang mga kailanganin para masecure ko ang  endorsement ko sa kanya. Di puwedeng sabihin niya sa'kin na wala siyang natanggap sa kin kungdi kakasuhan ko ang eskuwelahan.LoLz

Lubos na pinaghirapan ko ang thesis film ko, kahit di kagandahan ang pag-arte ng mga nakuha kong mga “artista”, kahit papaano naging tapat sila sakin at nanatili hanggang sa huling sandali. Alam ko na may pagkukulang ako habang nasa produksyon pa ang pelikula pero ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat dahil kungdi dahil sa mga tao na malapit sakin nang lubos, maaring napunta sa wala ang lahat ng aking pinaghirapan,

Alam ko na hindi pa huli ang lahat. Di pa nagtatapos hanggang sa ito ay matapos ko na. Ayoko pa tumagal sa eskuwela dahil lamang may bagsak ako. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking mkakaya para mabigyang katuparan ang pangako na binigay ko sa aking sarili, ang makatapos ng pag-aaral.

Kaya ko ‘to, kaya na’ting lahat ito!

The CSB Experience 4: Diskusyones Tungkol sa Ingles

Okay, I just got off from a really heated discussion for most of the night today, April 18, 2011, with Marlon, Poch and by extension Jeco over something so little and so non-life threatening.

Apparently, they think that I should have used a different language other than English as the medium of the trailer of my thesis film, "An Almost Affair". Basically they said that I'm marketing what is essentially a "pang-masa" product the wrong way because I'm using English for my promotion.

What started out without simple, "Tagalog na lang, para mas babagay pa doon" became long and complicated posts. All because they think my reasoning for even using ESOL in my trailer is lame. I do recognize that they're giving out constructive criticism for me because I am, after-all, going out to panel (in the hopes of becoming CSB''s next top graduate lol). But for a silly thing, I felt the urge to stand by it through thick and thin.

Why?

Because I target a market that is above socio-economic lines. Masa, yes and for the sake of trying to give a clear explanation, every scripted content targets a specific demo, not necessarily based on income but on the basis on age and sex, etc.. Masa is supposed to mean "everybody" as in "every frakking single one of us from all walks of life". Masa is not CDE, it is the whole freaking alphabet soup.

As a media person, aren't I responsible of at least contribute to the development of our people, to help them aspire and reach for the gold?

The trailer I made is the first time that I actually had someone to voice over with. I made this trailer without thinking the use of language would be such an issue to some.

To market it to my market (is that right?), I should promote it in a way that fits their tastes and lfiestyles daw. Although this is true, is it necessary that I dumb the trailer down or make it look sosyal? Can't it rest in the middle?

If you guys wanna know what I wrote in my MP regarding who I am targeting, I only mentioned the specific age/sex demo which I know could benefit from watching An Almost Affair. That's my primary target market and that is all there is to it. My guide says it's only optional for me to include any secondary market so I decided to just focus with my prime one.

Maybe people just don't understand my viewpoint, bulol and all that. Maybe because I've watching far too many TV that it somehow shaped the way I view things. Not just on TV but also with the books I read, on radio. Maybe, people just cannot see what I want to achieve.

Sure, I could be a little defensive...Because if I were to take criticism, then what's the point of defending in the first place? I'm just defending my idea.

I already told them naman I'll see if I could produce a Filipino-language version of the trailer. Not exactly word per word but, as a trailer of its own,. Just so in order to silence them forever with their complaining.

And yes, I've been through these episodes before...Most especially my heated debates with Jeco since the days when he used to be so active in Multiply. I fight for what I believe in and I strive make a difference. I accept my flaws and I embrace them. I know I rant but because I say what it is on my mind although I am careful with what I say.

I don't wanna hurt people but people keep on hurting me. I don't fight back with a sword nor a gun but I fight using myself. I can take every blow but none of them could every bring me down.

Whether or not those peeps at panel won't probably like my idea...I will stand by it. They try me to conform to the standards but I want to go on and become the change I try seek, the change that I want to be. Win or lose...I stand by it.

And seriously? Ang laki ng issue niyo sa paggamit ko ng English sa trailer?

People, just come on!

A J-Blog Files Anniversary Special: Four Years after “Just Before Graduation”

Has it really been four years? Wow, I really did not realized that it was already past March 24, the day me and a hundred or so students in St. James Academy  complete the four-year cycle that is high school (oh mo high school life). Amazing how time flies, isn’t it? I remember being very excited about writing my first ever blog entry on my then new Multiply account out of curiosity and excitement.

I never imagined back then seeing myself to  where I am now. Most of my batchmates in high school have more or less just got their respective college degrees while most have to wait for a couple more months or even a year more to get that much sought after baccalaureate diploma with my name on it (did I get that last sentence right?).

Seeing that my life in college is almost over, I’m excited what the next phase of life have for me. Young adult life is full of twists and turns, promotions and rejections. Our young idealism is challenged by the norms brought by corporate reality. Our smiles might turn to frowns and our eager bodies will, in less than a year working inside a cube-sized cubicle, will be worn down.
Are we up to the challenge? Maybe yes, maybe not. The future lies in the nature of our decisions and how we face the consequences whole handidly. Congratulations for all of us and good luck!


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE J-BLOG FILES!