The Summer Experience 3: Prepping for Harvest

Summer is finally here and it's that time of the year to start my yearly blog series chronicling whatever seems to be off interested this hot-na-hot season.

As far as getting something to do, I thought of hitting it up a notch. Deciding to build up my resume, I joined The Farm, a training program from 99.5RT that aims to train young minds with the know's and the how's when it comes to radio.

In the past radio-related entries I've made for the past years, there's nothing as quite as unique with my relationship with RT, having known the station just enough for me to developed an emotional attachment to it (and this in a way traces back to its Campus 99.5 days).

Prior to joining The Farm, I was already working as an intern for one of the shows in the station, the RT30, for at least two months before I was dismissed due to conflicts with my academics. Having been exposed with the way radio works via the show, having been involved with research, scriptwriting, among other things.

I was relieved that being dismissed from my first OJT-venture did not affect with me being part of The Farm as I was assured of my place there as well as continuing my internship instead.

So far so good, the past two seminars have been enlightening but it would have been nice if I get to actually attend all the meetings if only the school year in CSB was already done and over with. Fortunately, it won't be much of a case in a matter of a few more days from now.

Koji Moralez, or what I grew up knowing him as Joe Spinner, is one of the driving forces of the program along with several jocks form the RT crew: Winner, Slyde, Ron, Inka and THE Jeremiah Junior/Sir Gerry Magnaye. I've heard a lot of good things about him, especially from the mouth of one of RT's top former honcho Mr. Mike Pedero. He had shared a lot of stories about Sir Gerry, and I actually had to witness it myself when, lo and behold, his presence feels greater that even my knees is feeling numb because of his awesomeness.

Lucky is me when I found out that I'll be placed under Sir Gerry's wing for The Farm's production module. Hardcore is what I'm expecting but for sure, it is worth it.

But what's important is that all of us get to have a good time: meeting new people, establishing friendships, re-establishing old ones, and forging a bond that we hope could last a lifetime.

Who would ever thought that from the moment I first sat foot on the RT Booth last September 1, 2008 (a day after my 18th birthday) that  I'll end up coming back to it for the next three years.

It really makes me feel alright,,,,

The CSB Experience 3: Off-Rhythm

"Got relieved from my job...I'll make kuwento later"-James
"Shucks. Bad?"-Mommy
"I don't know. Di pa nagsisink-in sa'kin eh."-James
"Okay"-Mommy

Ooh, this is quite ironic. Just the other day I was talking to Ian how I got my internship for a radio program and the next day, I told him I got laid off. Just only now am I starting to have that sinking feeling of failure and disappointment. It just gets to me with brute force and now I'm taking all my disappointment out of this entry in order for to  get some heat off from my system.

I never seen this coming although there were signs right under my nose but I never expected the outcome of me getting "relieved from [my] duties". It was all sudden, and I don't know how I would react to such news. It was indeed a tragic and grim ending for an otherwise productive and supposedly-fulfilled Thursday the 22nd.

I started working as part of the production team of 99.5 RT's RT30 Countdown last February were originally I signed up on writing scripts for the weekly Friday show. Eventually my qualifications as a design student landed me with the task of producing a logo that will identify the show and eventually expand to designing its website among other things. This was a significant factor that led to what became of my tenure in that station.

First and foremost, I decided to pursue my internship in advanced in the hopes of starting off early before taking my formal OJT class this May (brought by circumstances beyodn the school's control). It was quite the coincidence that the RT30 team are looking for interns so I tooked the opportunity to inquire and eventually apply for the job.

Even if it's not a paying job, the experience of working for radio further widened my horizons and made me appreciate the medium even more. As a listener since the station's "re-inception" back in September 2008, it was really a big honor for me to work for a legendary entity that has been around for the past 3 decades.

One of the jocks who used to work for RT was my professor last year and he was the one who suggested that I could apply in the station as an intern. And even before, I was able to learn more about RT's history thanks in part of several former and current RT personalities who always keep in touch at the RT thread in Pinoy Exchange. It made me even more determined of finding a way to land myself a job there.

It finally came into fruition a year later when I booked one at the station. I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride, having met such a wonderful set of people in the team: Jose, Inka, Carla, Clarisa, Alven, Claude, Jessica and the rest of the RT crew. Despite the difficulty of the work given, I always try to put on a smile and at least have fun working. It makes the job a lot lighter to carry.

So when I got the news that I'm not going to be a part of RT30 anymore rendered my speechless, as in REALLY speechless. My mouth was like spitting out a thought bubble that looks like this: "...". My mind was finding it difficult to process every single word into my brain. My ears were turning read and my eyes widened in total disbelief.

It pains me that my efforts did not reap results that the team wanted to see. On the one-hand, how will all of these factor for my OJT? Assuming that the works I produced under RT30 are considered properties of the show, how will I get compensated in a way that they will honor my contributions as a member of the team? How likely will they use my designs as a basis for future revisions if the task is given to my replacement? Not much explanation was given as far as my on-the-job training is concerned and I'm still waiting for them to reply about my queries. My parents even suggested that I should do my internship at the Philippine Information Agency but I have other things in mind.

 As I've mentioned back then, my top goal is to finish school no matter what. I know there are bigger and better things ahead, and my firing will not be a hindrance but will serve as a motivation for me to continue dreaming big.

In addition, my relationship with RT may not stop there, as it turns out. I'm still officially a part of the station's training program, The Farm and I'll be training under its Production module. Although the program's first few weeks might conflict with my academics, I'm happy to say that the school year will officially end in 9 working days.

As unfortunate as how sudden my run was cut short, I know that there's always be a light coming at the end of the dark tunnel.

The CSB Experience 3: Almost There...

I know it's been a while and I felt like it has been ages since I last wrote my last entry under TCSBE3. As with a lot of people at this stage in their college years: it's been tight, it's been  hectic, we are all busy, and when we mean "busy", we mean it!

A defense for a thesis proposal, an interactive game CD, a 30-second 3d demo reel, a fully animated Flash cartoon, a website, among others. That's how busy a lot of us have been in this past quarter of the year.  What's worse, we won't be getting the long summer break we all deserve to have as the school screwed us with a suspension announced too late and the rest of us who were doing fine then now had to wait a trimester longer before we ultimately face the harsh realities of life.

Screw the system, screw all of you...

Nah, kidding...hehehehe.

But still, despite the stress and sleepless nights we had to endure, I'm very optimistic with what is to come for the coming school year a several weeks away from now. Just a few moments to go before the last drop of sand falls down in the hourglass to finally get this heck of a junior year a proper and much-awaited close.

The First Final Schedule of the Experience (1st Term SY 2010-11)

This is not the schedule I chose to take because someone made the deed for me without me knowing. Although convenient, it would've been nice if I do it on my own accord.

Thankful yes but a line has just been crossed.

Lords of Dogtown (2005)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

The movie “Lords of Dogtown” gives us an inside look to the early days of the phenomenon that is skateboarding as well as the people who were a part of it. The film is not exactly the typical based-on-a-true-story type where the main characters are all portrayed as good-hearted people who think everything is possible for them. It is a coming-of-age story containing real characters with real depth and emotion.

Despite being a period movie, it doesn’t make itself look like one so it’s easier for younger viewers to appreciate the film as it is. However, “Lords of Dogtown” makes use of different filming styles, most especially with scenes that involves skateboarding and surfing. Some scenes were shot as if they were taken from an old 1970’s home video camera while there those that are taken from a camera’s point of view from a rolling skateboard, something that is commonly seen on televised skating competitions such as the X-Games.
Such a way of using two vastly different styles of shooting such scenes seems to mesh perfectly as it sort of balanced out the story.
The color effects give out a cooling mood when watching the movie. Despite being set at a sunny happy California location, the cinematography shows it as bluish and moody. These traits are found to be very complimentary with the kind of storytelling the movie is presenting to the audience: dark yet refreshing, light yet effective.

Music is a central part of the film as they give a representation of the different moods and mindsets of the characters in the movie. The movie don’t seem to rely much on music played during the 1970’s but their choice of alternative/pop-rock songs seems well-fit to the over-all premise of the movie. Many of the songs featured have this certain feel-good vibe, being played whenever the movie is showing the lighter moments of the characters, shown to be at the peak of their youth, where their friendship is at their strongest, and careless innocence remaining intact.

Even as the film came to a close, it left with a positive feel good song continuing to play at the closing seconds of the final scene. Never was there a “sunken feeling” even if not all of the characters were given happy endings, there is always the implication with the way the movie ended that life continues on with these characters as off-screen, they continue to face challenges and triumphs in their lives.

The people behind Lords of Dogtown succeeded on doing a new contemporary take on doing a 1970’s period movie. Never does it feel in its entirety as such nor does it try to be one. The movie succeeded on making a story that took place more than 30 years ago fresh and accessible for many to enjoy watching.

Blazing in a Sea of Blue

I have long heard of stories and beliefs as people's views about Ateneo de Manila University. Although I couldn't say anything bad nor good about it because I haven't been there myself. In fact, for the past few years I've been to different universities but never once did I think of going to ADMU. Basically, the reason for it is that it's simply too far for me to go to and besides, what reason do I have to go there in the first place? That question though got an answer just a couple of days ago. For more than a month now, I've been planning on joining this student filmmaking contest from an Atenean org, the Loyola Film Circle. It's called the Ateneo Video Open, a competition open to student filmmakers from different colleges and universities.

At the time, I was in the middle of doing my then current (and finals) project for Vidprod2, entitled "The Gift". I liked how the movie turned out although I still wished that it would have been better (better casting maybe for my lead character).

I made other films that are similarly good but given the mechanics that the AVO requires for their film screening, only "The Gift" has a good chance of not getting disqualified due to technicalities. I could submit my entry either to my school's org affiliated to the LFC but I'm not sure if Kino Eye nor MediaMax knew about the event. I didn't notice any posters about the AVO posted around campus. Plan B of submission is to do it the hard way: Bring it over to Ateneo itself. Crazy afterthought popped up all of a sudden but yes, it's the only way to do so. The first time I went there was last Tuesday (Jan. 26, 2010). I thought everything was going to be okay all the way but I forgot to bring one requirement so I had to come back the next day. Going to Ateneo is quite time-consuming, but fortunately, I didn't have classes at the time until later that evening. Hitched a ride at the LRT Line 2 in Recto then dropped myself off to Katipunan.

According to the street map at the station, ADMU is just a few blocks away but then again, it's quite a long trek. I don't want to take a tricycle/jeepney ride since I'm on a budget so walking seems to be the only viable option.

Once inside, I can't help but be amazed by what I'm seeing. Trees, benches, and wide open green fields dot the campus landscape.

Trying to figure things out around there, I ended up passing by this cool hang-out place near a parking lot, then later passed through a couple of brick-walled buildings then eventually ended up to my place of destination, the Manuel V. Pangilinan Building.

The building looks like a student center/mini-mall based from the number of establishments found in the first floor alone. They have an Apple store, a Figaro cafe, and a bookstore(?) among others. The LFC head office is found upstairs and finally, I got to pass my entry to them, including the last one, the registration fee the next day.

On the second day that I was there, I decided to walk around a bit in Ateneo, and maybe take some good rest sitting on one of their benches. By coincidence, I may have spotted a very familiar figure among the students I passed through, a very good friend of mine who goes there. Not sure if it was him but I remember he's with some friends. I could have give him a shout and greeted him but I thought it'd be an awkward moment. Well, you know me...hindi mapagkali.

Just waiting for the one text from the LFC to know if I made the cut as one of their finalist. It's going to be my first time joining a contest such as this so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

:)

The CSB Experience 3: "Pasta? Coffee Jelly?"

I'm trying to recall when was Chef's Station-SDA's first day of operations. If I didn't knew any better, the stall's been up and running since August 14, 2009 which also happened to be the day I got @#@#$#%^*&^%*@ but I see no need to elaborate.

Back to the topic: Fast forward to now, Chef's Station is finally a go-to place among the sophisticated SDA crowd. Gone however the early days when they had metal tables placd in front to create a "restaurant-esque" which I guess didn't worked out for the first batch.

Early this term, I found out that Nikko DS is already doing his practicum at the SDA as one of the MWF batch of student chefs who, through sweat and blood, bring world class cuisine on a student-friendly price of Php60. Nikko encouraged me into trying out whatever's in they're serving from their menu and I obliged out of our friendship (Arts Club days nga naman 'no? Hehehe!).

I guess what I like initially was what he described as "Chef's Station's bestseller", the undying  coffee-jelly. At only 20 pesos, I immediately fell in love with this concoction of theirs so thus started my "relationship" with the guys and girls of the said station (Just trying to avoid being redundant).

As the term continue to progress, it seems like I was becoming more of a permanent fixture as a suki to Nikko's co-interns/co-chefs. Given the obvious connection, the chefs have already memorized my usual choice of food from their menu: Pasta with Ice Tea, and Coffee Jelly. Add to that the greeting I get every time I visit Chef's Station:

"Hi, Jaime!"/"Jaime!"

Namumukhaan ko na rin ang ilan sa kanila, although I'm a bit weak with memorizing names so I always try to remember their names stitched onto their uniforms. Isa singkit, isa may bigote, isa iyung nakausap ko minsan nung binantay niya iyung cash register, and what I assume to be, their OJT adviser (Smack me if I'm wrong haha).

Some say, "a key to a person's heart is through his stomach". But in this case, a key to a person's stomach, is through the power of coffee jelly"...Haha! Corny I know but that's what I could help describe the kind of friendship that was built upon my frequent order of pasta and coffee jelly. To show my appreciation, I even brought home from my recent retreat in Tagaytay a pack of piaya. A token for the excellent service they put with the food they serve every hour of every day they're in SDA.

As tomorrow (Friday March 19, 2010) nears, I am counting down the hours before I could have another fill of pasta and coffee jelly.

Cheers!