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