DVD: Divisoria Daydream

Walking across endless seas with people as ripples, the sight finds shores of stores as an isolated solitude with a perception impulse. T-shirts dangling colored from green to blue to red, lands a feast in a spectators kaleidoscope vision. Bargains that continue to melt in a singular denomination that either deprive or survive the holocaust of lending and spending. Human puppetry is at its peak whenever merchants of different forms, seen or unseen, careen the internal longing to the product catalyst burning under the sweltering heat of the noon sun. Catalyst, for every stall facade starts the epidemic of deep hunger, of consummation and sheer material thought.

When one leaves, one escapes the ruin of self.

The war's sunset appears. Peace now sets in.

Sa Pananaw ng mga Inglisero: Isang Balagtula

"Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang sariling wika ay mas masahol pa sa isang malansang isda"  - Gat. Jose Rizal

Tugon ng isang Inglisero: 

Sa patuloy na pag-ikot ng mundo, ang Ingles ang namumutawi’t nasasaulo. Halos lahat ng posibleng aspeto, ang wikang batayan, sa Ingles nakasalo. Karamihan ng mga nasasaklaw na diskurso, hindi tuwirang matatanto kung ang wika’y sa Filipino. Ang wikang ipinamumulat ay sa mundong nagpasisiwalat. Limitado ang mapaghuhugutan, kung ang sipat ay sa pambansang wika lamang. Kung gustong makita ang kabuuan, ang turo’y sa Ingles nararapat ang basehan. Nararapat na ang salimbibig ay sa pagtinging sambayanan, tungo sa kamunduan, maghuhubog sa madla, lalo na sa kabataan. Ang matinding kadahilanan, sadya nga talaga na ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan. Kung mamarapating sabihin, marahan lang na ating angkinin, wika munang hindi atin. Sa tawag ng panahon, marapat itong itaghoy ng bayang naghihikahos para sa minimithing kaliwanagan, kalayaan, kapayapaan.

Ang pagkamit sa mga ito’y nasasarhan ng mga klaseng ang wika’y nilalampastangan. Kung sariling wika ang gagamitin, marami ang yuyurak sa kanyang kariktan dahil sa balarilang napupuno ng kalayaan. Sa wikang Ingles, kahit karamiha’y wakang interes, nabibigyan ng displina ang mga labing napupurol sa tuwi-tuwina. Hinuhulma ng mga gramatikong pamantayan ang mga isipang sa simula’y kinakalawang. Mas tuwiran ang pagpapalawig ng kaalaman, sagad sa laman at buto ang mga nagiging batid na katuwiran. Naisasatama ang mga kamalian sa mga sipat na hindi pa naisasalin ng mga sumusulat, mga manunulat. Ayon nga sa mga dalubhasa, natatamo ang pag-asa ng isang bansa na masawata ang kumpetensiya sa lahat ng sekta sa Ingles na pananalita. 

Ang kaunlaran ay pasisinayaan ng mga kabataang makikipagtulungan gamit ang Ingles bilang makinaryang pakikipagtalastasan. Makaaahon ang republikang sa pamumuno’y patapon sa mas edukadong lipunan. Sa pamantayang ipinahihiwatig ng mundong kinagisnan, mainam na may kakayanan ang sambayanan na makipaglaban ng harapan kahit sa pakikipalitan ng salita o talakayan. Kahit na sadyang may kaliitan ang ating bansa, dambuhala naman ang ating katalentaduhan sa pagpapaksa, pakikipagpalitan ng mga kaisipan sa paggawa ng kulturang pangkamunduan. 

Batid ng edukasyon sa ganitong pamamaraan, ang kinabukasan ang makapagbabangon sa isipang purol na nagpalalawig sa kahirapan, karukhaan. Maliban sa kasasabi lamang, magsisilbing behikulo ng pagbubuklod ng mga distrito ng bawat kanto sa siyudad ng tao ang pagsasakumbensyunal nito. Kahit ang pagpapasimuno ng panibagong digmaan sa kasalukuyan, ating maiiwasan, malalabanan ng mga katagang makapanlilikha ng bantayog na makapanlalaya sa dilang tanikala.                                      

Awake

As we had gazed heavenward seeing the coincidental alignment of planets and stars to form a man-resembling figure, the sky was looking at us intently taking responsibility to what pessimists might call a hoax or to the optimists, a miracle. In our nearing pursuit of deep slumber and of meaning to cap a long day, the smiling offering had provided us with an outlet to hope and to dream for such positive occurences to come across our agitated and metropolitan-drowned minds every once in a while. Indeed, this signifies that nature is constantly trying to awaken our rock-solid sensibilities due to the loves and pains inflicted by the rush of the world, so to speak. We are being made aware of the presence of a larger life around us by which the entity called Nature exists.

So, as we open our eyes, we will be made aware of the multiplicity of the presence of life and of its many forms. We are part of the sphere.

We are now awake.

The Frame of Thought: Fast Food Fiction

As the clock hits the gears to the transition of another minute, the boy in blue draws his dreams in a yellow pad canvass. In the middle of a heated discussion, absolute zero in reverse, the pen wanders around the tainted green shrubs and escapes through the sea of clouds making unmarked footprints along the way. Despite the reverberating sound of the mentor's plead, the boy in blue continues to paint the image corners as stepped on by the darkness of ink. His eyes absorbing the memories for which the mind bleeds synonymous to waterfalls. Streams of improvised creations decisively immerses each entity to an alternate reality. Every emotion, as depicted in the canvass, has its own world.

Joy. The mirror sheds light to the face of the darling boy enabling the stretching of his face muscles, forcing him to smile. As one enters the reverse image, grass teemed with all sorts of green splashed in human bathing glory can be visualized upon realization. Hills are streaming, flowing like rhymes in poems, lines in sonnets. Winds ever abundant, regulated, in as much dense as the sleeping brown soil in multiple worldly terrains. Animals planted as families feeding with self -appearing food in the mouth of the mother. Men and women in white clothes suddenly appear in the distance walking slowly towards him. Smiling. 

Upon being circled, smiles are showered upon him vertically with all the granted appreciations perforated in the mind. A thorn in the heart is disattached for the brightness of the sepia-toned (depicting the past) faces melted the bone-chilling, motion-stopping predicaments. They took his hands one-by-one shaking with much gusto as though your appearance is the light. 

Multiple languages of "hello" speak in melodic, chanting voices blending in perfect pitch and harmony. The music reached the peak of the excitement mountain massaging your currenltly being churned mind. Everyone invites you home. It is as though there is no time, so you went to their homes, their minds every filled 5 minutes of visitation. It looks as though there is no end yet it seems to tickle the boy's taste for knowing, longingness. 

Riiiiiiiingggggg!!

The boy suddenly wakes up with soring eyes finding himself wetting his sun-painted canvass with his tongue water. Everyone deserted the area of academic battle, the classroom. He wonders if someone else made attempts to awaken his senses (other than his dreams) before they leave the vicinity. Covered by liquid human mouth waste, the canvass materializes in full picture. He now sees the greatest masterpiece that he has ever created. 

His own smiling portrait. 

As though for longing, yet never coming back, to the world made by his own. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The surprise comes next...

    

Self Speak: A Blog about a Blog

Has anyone thought of making a blog about a blog? 

Of course, there have been reviews about movies, fantasies, novels, novelties, music, musicals, CDs, commentaries, etc. But, in the sheer criticizing nature of our humanity, be it disagreeable (see i'm doing it), fallacious, malicious, extravagant, horrifying, experiential, uneducated or simply thoughless, we spatter, spill, eject or release words agreeing or refuting another's thoughts within the highly congested social network. 

It might suggest that we are always in an argumentative mood whenever we see a message in print shooting bulleted tomatoes at our favorite films tortured by his words of dissatisfaction. 

Or, his thoughts about Neverland is indeed a non-existence since he believes wholeheartedly that fantasy is never a reality. 

Or, he tries (at least) to make you believe that Santa Claus will indeed come to town this Christmas even though his fake beard (very obvious) has never been washed in twenty years in his profile photo. 

Some even wage fights in an online game somewhere (over the rainbow) in this internet universe. They haven't even thought publicizing their match-ups through different social network site advertisements (with all the interactive mouse click glory). I'm sure if they did on YouTube, they would rouse even the sleepy of its subscribers to witness the brutal exchange of home videos, white-wall-backgrounded self video speeches, and copy-and-paste video creations with the topic revolving around the "Best Kids Show in the World: Sesame Street vs. Batibot vs. The Ellen DeGeneres Show".

Good thing, the most structured of it all, which had started from a blog, was the one made by the always dancing John Chu (director of Step UP series) to actually make a dance-off between the Obamanators and the McCainiacs. The winner would place "The White House" name at stake changing it to "The Hood". You guess what happened...

The Internet made it even more convenient for the keyboard tapping, "what does this button do" mentality obsessed society to paste instant replies to go on further with the highly "symbolic" conversations. They would make something like this :)...a dancing banana... :(... :P...lol...hahahaha...halabsyu...09213456789, etcetera. Better try doing the Morse Code to elevate the rungs of your social network commenting career ladder. If you could do that, you are a rocket scientist.

 

Some even claim blogs as their own. It's like being a Grade 6 child with this little Gundam toy made painstakingly in a week by his Grade 2 brother. Grade 6 claimed he made it. Won the school championship. End of story. Respect the "copy"right, or the "being copied" rights.           

Some people might say that we have been given this degree of freedom to express ourselves to the point of snatching photos here and there like picking apples from Egypt (if there indeed are apples there). Cutting pictures to the max and pasting them in animation websites, photo simulation programs and the most dreaded (lightning) Photoshop (erasing large zits, loading 12%, 3 hours left). Many place stencilled messages right on the face signifying supreme hate and fascination. 

Internet = large spray paint arena = canvass = scrapbook = peeping toms = catwalk = the Fibonacci number

Seriously speaking , blogs are portals for everyone to enter. Be careful of what you place inside (especially your not-so-good-moment pictures and NBI records) in every social networking site. It is through every account that people believe you sputter your identity. It is who you are in the different places in the world. Believe me. You have a virtual person inside this digital, articificial universe. Converse properly. 

Don't speak when your mouth is full. 

-a public service message from the best social networking site in the history, click here to find out- 

  

  

On Leadership: A Discussion using the Mother Tongue

Ang pinuno ay pinuno upang pumuno.

Ang katagang ito ay sumasalamin sa samu’t saring diskurso na napaiiral tuwing binibigyan ng kahulugan ang mga alituntunin at tungkulin ng pagiging isang lider (sa diretsahang salin). Kung bubusisiin ang padron na sinusundan ng mga namumuno sa lipunan, ito ay maoobserbahang napakalaki nang iniaaambag ng lipunan, o sa madaling salita, ng mga pinamumunuan sa pagsalin ng sipat at sulat sa makabuluhang gawain. Nagsisilbing langis lamang na nagpapagalaw sa barko ng pamumuno ang mga makabagbag-damdaming kataga at nakapupukaw na mga parirala. ‘Ika nga sa isang pamosong awitin, ang pamumuno ay “more than words” o higit pa sa salita. Kailangan ng aksyon sa pagpupuno ng kawalan, hindi lang sa ekonomikal na paraan (na puwedeng matugunan sa tamang polisiya), kung hindi sa paraang espiritwal na ang paghatid ay mula sa puso (para sa namumuno) na tiyak na sasagad sa buto (para sa mga pinaglilingkuran).

 

Ngunit, upang tuluyang maging instrumento ng pagbabago ang isa sa kanyang lipunan, kailangan din ng sapat na kaalaman, dahil ang pamumuno ay hindi lamang nagiging obligasyon sa sarili, isa rin itong sining na dapat ipinayayabong at ipinalalawig sa kapwa mamamayan. Mahirap humati, humimay ng teorya, sitwasyon o prinsipyo kung ang isipang patalim ay purol sa bulag na katotohanan. Ang hindi pagsasatama ng nakagisnang mga pagsasaakala o nosyon ay kakalawangin na tulad ng isang poste ng gusali na makadudulot nang pagkabagsak ng ipinundar na tiwala’t karanasan. Ang pagpuno sa isip ang siyang kapangyarihan at susi sa pagpupuno sa lipunan sa pamumuno.

 

Marahil, kung pagninilayan ang pinakaunang kataga ukol sa pagpupuno, mapaiisip ang ilan sa mala-Atlas na pagdala ng kamunduang problema sa proseso ng pagpupuno. May anggulo ng katotohanan ang pagdala kung ika’y magpadadala sa agos ng panahon na walang pinatutunguhang pagbabago batid ng kawalan ng pag-asa o pagtiwala sa lipunan. Ngunit, kung titignan ng pinuno ang maiaambag sa mamamayan, nariyan nga talaga siya upang pumuno ng pagsasaalang-alang sa kalagayan sa pagtungo sa kagustuhang pagbabago. Ang kagustuhan na manggagaling sa mismong sambayanan batid ng hikayat ng indibidwal na kaalaman at pagpapapuno sa isa’t isang nagpapapuno.      

 

Sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, ang kaalaman ay ang nagiging sandata ng bawat isa sa pagpupuno ng paninindigang ipinanganak ng inihandog na kalayaan sa napakaraming aspeto mula sa kauna-unahang hakbang sa naturang intitusyon. Hindi maiiwasang sumapi rito, sumali roon  sa paghahanap ng sarili. Lider ang bawat isa sa tao na kaharap niya sa salamin. Sa lakas ng kasalukuyang ipinaiiral na tradisyunal na pananaw na batid ng mga nakagawiang diskurso sa Unibersidad, hindi mapipigilang bato-balaning dumikit ang paninindigan sa teorya, o kung minsan, “crash culture” na inihahatid ng mga nasabing maitutukoy na liderato. Sa halip na tumingin sa sarili at pansinin ang mga pagkakapare-parehong pananaw, sa kaibahan pa rin nakakahon ang karamihan. Kaya puwede ring sabihin na ang kalayaan pala mismo ang naglagay ng rehas sa braso. Kung ibabalik sa pamumuno, kailangang malaman ang paktor ng pagsasabuklod ng bawat isang sekta o organisasyon, opisina o kolehiyo. Magiging posible ito sa pagsasapuno sa pag-unlad ng kaalaman ng bawat isa sa isa’t isa. Himayin ang mga pagkakaiba. Gumawa ng paraan sa pagpuno sa mga alinlangan. Tiyak na ang unibersidad ay isang nagkakaisa.

Kaya, kung titignan ang sarili, lahat tayo ay namumuno kahit hindi lingid sa karamihan. May sining din ang pamumuno sa taong kaharap mo sa salamin. Sa dinami-dami ng mga babasahin ukol sa pagiging isang “life leader”, hindi agarang magaganap ang metamorphosis sa lahat ng aspeto (marahil, sa espritwal may pokus). Kailangan ng mataas na antas ng pagmamahal sa pamumuno’t paglilingkod upang ang basong puno ay umapaw, sa oras ng mismong pamumuno. 

Poetic License

A poem is like a song that serves as a panacea to a wounded soul, a wishsong for the late dreamers, a past for the sailors staring at the monotonous amplitudes of the sea.

Allow me to breath through these passages using our local language (a convolution of the whole)

Limot/Laya

Isang libong nilibot na kurot

batid ng pighati't pagkalimot.

Nakamit, dumamit sa sundalong

namihasa't nagngalit sa hindi

pagkamit.

Isang libong nilibot na kurot

batid ng pighati't pagkalimot.

Pinilas ag kasunduang tugon

hatid ng pag-angat, posisyon

Nakasagi, tumama sa batang

Nagahasa't binalahura bago

ang buhay kinamit.

Isang libong nilibot na kurot

batid ng paghati't pagkalumot.

Himala sa New York Street

Binaybay ng barkong SUV

ang kahabaan ng dagat semento

Masigasig na hinawakan ng pagkamulat

sa mg kadalasang sulyap, iglap

ang mga uwak na tumatangis.

Ang dala'y ligayang matumal

magarbong, kagampang pighati

Bumabatingaw, nililindol

ang sikmurang kumakahol

Napuno ang blanketang kalawakan

mga salita't titik na pinakalatasan

ng kalapating parangal

na sa pagtagos ng puso'y batid.

Hindi naging hadlang

kabilaang businang unos,

sa pansamantalng pagdaong.

Minunihan, pinakalawalan

ang kalapating kalong.

Sinamantala ang paglipad,

pagkagawi kasama ng mga uwak.

Pagbalik, inaasahan ang pagkalisan

at pagkawala ng unos, isang dagta,

isang mensahe ng pagmamahal.

After the magician wields his wand, everything subsides. Silence breaks in.

Hush.

Burning the Midnight Oil

Sleep tight, little child.

Unearthing nostalgic tendencies, we yearn to keep our childhood intact by our personal desires and dependencies. We look far, even overboard, to express the whimsical thoughts that we have in the middle of the battle of complexities. In the case of most readers here, whether we like to admit it or not, complexities caused mainly by the personality-gaining, gear-turning, stomach-lurching, habitat-forming, habit-inducing tasks we do in school.

We yearn to be in touch with our inner selves since preoccupation is the name of the game in the hype-driven hustle-and-bustle of strained lives immersed in the academe. Seeking to be admired by the external, positive forces, we place our attention in scrolls of self-help information to gobble up the changes yearned as much as we want. Feeling helpless, we seek for other's approval if indeed a changed man was born upon devotedly following the parameters set by the self-help experts.

From effective clock management to fraternal leadership, truckloads of suggestions are dictated in such a way that the paradigm being set deliberately would be followed. A checklist will be made to be stared at like a hawk ensuring no rule will this soul of yours fall short of. Everything, with your expectations laid out, will be straight A's if done with perfection. You continue to conform like being controlled by a Barnum & Bailey puppeteer.

Burnout. To faint is the only outlet available, to get out of all this conformity. Yet, you wake up again devouring all these information. You walk, and you go up. Little you realize, your soul is going down.

As we grow up a notch in life, we set more expectations to our mortal selves. This enables us to conform to these thoughts and penetrate the natural process by yearning to transform as quick as possible. We burn our midnight's oil in a grand proportion, there's nothing left for ourselves. We act as though every opportunity is our obligation to seize. Acting somewhat insecure. Dependent on the opportunities as though this is the only to be reinforced.

To alleviate the rising tide of this pandemic of burning, one suggestion still remains to be effective:

Sit down. Pray. Meditate. Exercise your thoughts. For self-help is helping yourself to unlock the peak of your thoughts. There is more than in your mind than what you think. Think on thinking. Widen your thought horizons. Take deep breaths, Feel. Revive.

You will realize that there are more opportunities than the physical ones.

Pockets of minutes per day of such treatment shall unearth your full potential.

Indeed, upon taking the suggestion, you have sucked the marrow out of life.

Now, like your magnanimous mom would say, nature says:

Sleep tight, little child

Speaking about Time: IE Department Seminar

June 16, 2008, Tuesday, 4PM -As the chosen speaker to represent my organization, I was tasked to speak about time management using whatever devices in whatever means necessary. I thought maybe this wasn't the right topic for me since I have been somewhat tardy in some of my classes (no but's and if's). But, in my stash, so to speak, I have some accumulated insights to share with the rather confused freshmen. So, I said 'yes' and went for it even though there was prick of hesitation in my conscience.

The title of my presentation was "Beyond Chronos", referring to time management as something beyond the solid concept of time. When it was my turn to speak in the stage of the Engineering Theatre, I instantly felt comfortable since everyone seemed to look so interested to listen (or so i thought...kidding).

Well, to jumpstart my speech, I asked everyone first to do a breathing exercise (like what chorales do in their practices). When everyone's settled down, I started my 20-minute lecture aided by my Powerpoint Presentation.

"C.E.N.T.S...balance...timeless tips...multitasking...picture of tigers"

After it was done, I congratulated the freshmen for a job well done.

Hopefully, they have enjoyed as much as I've delivered it.

Wavelength: Radio Guesting in NU 107.5

June 2, 2008, Monday - Going to Ortigas riding an open bus alone was such a big hassle. Thinking that I was really late for my appointment with the producer of NU 107.5, I literally felt sick to my stomach in emotional agitation. It was 7:15 PM. One of the officers texted that my appointment would be at exactly 7 PM, and I'll be having a radio guesting for a new university segment at 9-11PM. Though I wasn't that prepared to say the categorically right words. I just said to myself, "Let's get it over with! Not everyone has this opportunity". So, facing the clean transparent glass door of the station office, I entered the threshhold and went inside absolute sound resonating paradise.

Upon entering, I saw a radio component barking on empty blue chairs. Oops, I didn't see Mr. Security Guard on the right side staring at me in suspicion (looking as though I'm there for self-destruction with all the sweat of stress and exhaustion pouring all over my body). Then, I heard someone murmuring the exact words heard on the radio.

Presence of ghost whisperers...

Certainly not. Right behind the glass pane, I saw the radio desk with the lady disc jockey playing all the hyperventilated, high octaned, almost no holds barred rock music. With a crystal clear voice, she seduced her listeners to rock-and-roll high and foot stomping mayhem.

Very contrasting to her operator-worthy manner of speaking.

I thought the producer was already in the vicinity. But, unfortunately, I have to wait for an additional hour. So, speaking about my conversation with Mico Halili, the producer of the station, he made me feel very assured and comfortable in dealing with some of our sponsorship demands. It went to show that he knew how to treat and converse with people well especially when there is a serious matter to be discussed. He was willing to give all out for station promotion.

How generous!

Anyway, at exactly 9 AM, the show had started. The title is U-ROCK, a show catered to university concerns and events, hosted by George Rocha and another female DJ. Luckily, I wasn' t the first one to be interviewed.

In the show, the first one was Ms. Tolentino from the UP Centennial Organizing Committee advertising the first-ever Oblation tableau-like formation. She said that 100 male models from different countries preferably UP alumni would pose like the Oblation (yes, I know what you are thinking...get the idea) in front of local and international media such as CNN and Reuters. It will happen in June 16. The DJs had so much fun looking at Ms.Tolentino's presentation in her laptop.

The second one was a female, Atenean Junior who has an onling fashion business. I forgot the exact name. All I knew was she was forging her way to the top.

Kudos.

The third one was a lady from a laser game store wherein painless team games synonymous to paintball can be played.

Zap.

The fourth one was a Bedan cheerdancer who had invited people to come to their performances in their school and had told about their group's rigorous practices.

Cheers.

Now, as I waited after a certain college rock song for my turn, I was holding tightly to my so-called script so that I would know whatever it was I would be saying. Upon stepping in front of the microphone, I knew it was my time.

10:30 PM. I glanced at my watch hoping that people would still be listening to me at this time.
Like in initial committee meetings and family reunions, I had unhesistatingly introduced myself. Then, thinking that I've had enough of introducing myself since the time of my conception, I thought of going directly to the discussion of the FOPC Freshmen Week activities. My mind was wandering aimlessly as I had long moments of explanation (and national airtime) of what specifically these activities were. I was just daydreaming of this in the past but, now, I was right there feeling right at home while being asked by random questions.

Not the forbidden ones, so to speak.

The DJs were surprised that our activities had been scattered within a four-month duration culminated by the Freshmen Week. From Capoeira to UP bands, descriptions and advertisements were made here and there. Also, I was given the chance to plug the FOPC party (PUMP UP @ 100) happenning in an immediate date. In the end, I had the opportunity to greet some of my folks (FOPC members, friends and DAD).

After me, the floor was given to a couple of Ateneans who were also promoting their incoming Orientation activities (ORSEM). By the way, I had talked with them before my time and they knew some of my batchmates there.

11:15 PM. Leaving the radio-soaked den, I eagerly went back home still hearing the resonance of my semi-stuttering voice in the radio.

Cellphone blinking (due to the silent mode option), people said it was all fine and good.

Well, after all, it was indeed good...



...night for me.

Gawad Tulong-Dunong

Kuya, hindi ko makakalimutan ang legacy mo.

For the last 5 weeks, I have taught some 4th year scholars from Ateneo, Miriam and St. Scholastica a very interesting subject (Physics) with a class period beginning at 8 and ending at 9 in the morning.

Last Friday, May 23, 2008, I was given this art-filled award made by my students in recognition to my teaching duration. A lot of work was done in the process of making it by the way it was constructed. 25 rolled notes made of 1/8 construction paper were placed inside a glass with some art sand. A monkey stuffed toy was placed right on top of an improvised lid with my nerdy picture on top of its floating,extended aluminum tail.

I was deeply touched by what Gary, one of my students had said about yours truly.
It is written on top for your reference.

Teaching is such a noble profession. So noble that I would do it free even for the rest of my life for such noble people.

P.S. My personal condolences for Alvin Espinosa, one of my first students, who had died last year due to a terminal illness

FOPC Fund Run (the event)

Last Saturday, May 25, 2008, FOPC held its highly anticipated fund run in the academic oval. The fund run proceedings ran from 6 to 11 in the morning. Representatives form different member organizations ran number of laps following their collected pledges. At first, it can be seen that it was pretty difficult for some organizations to finish with the pledges ranging from 10 to 40 exhausting laps. Even though they can the work with the presence of multiple org representatives, the stress level still ran high as the sun's blistering heat drained the most out of every runner. Several organizations finished first as early as 7 in the morning, but for some, 4 hours were not enough because of the lack of presigned runner.

Fortunately, very generous sponsors from Burlington and 100 isotonic drink gave out free merchandise (through a raffle) and free refreshments respectively for the runners once they had signed up. It really wasn't an easy task if you consider the maximum human physical capacity to move around the oval even though one valid lap in the oval equates to two credited laps for the run (AS to NEC building/one lap, NEC to AS/one lap). Everyone was made to wear a rubber band corresponding to each lap that a runner had undertaken.

For the record, in the duration of the run, one man actually had 20 rubber bands in his wrist by the end of his session.

How's that for a pledge run? A marathon perhaps.

The event ended in a very peaceful manner with just 2 organizations left running for pledges (and several boxes of isotonic drinks left untouched...gulp). Hopefully, friendships were made and perhaps, reinforced in this event.

With asphalt-stomping, sunlight absorbing, isotonic drink drowning, rubber band accessorizing, and perspiration bath glory, we can say that UP students truly immortalized the saying mens sana, corpore sano meaning "a sound mind in a sound body".

Note: Better watch Chariots of Fire for more inspiring quotes on running.

Cebu Work Camp (Sinking in and Commencing)

The delay of this entry was inevitable. Cebu Work Camp has ended 6 days ago.

...a time of reflection...


During this period of contemplation, I have always thought of returning, looking back at those life-changing times, those life-changing 10 days. But, there's no alternative, since we can't move back time, but to look ahead.

I don't have the power of Janus to look at both sides.

Definitely, this has been one of the best moments of my life.

Kundirana 2008 Pre-Departure Concert

Last March 29, 2009, my brother Aaron's singing group, the Kundirana Music Ministry, had performed their last performance in Bro. Rafe Donato Theatre before they leave for their 1-month US tour staritn April 3. It's actually his second, at the same time, his last year performing for the group since he had already graduated from high school (La Salle Greenhills). As always, they were magnificent in almost all their song and dance numbers. So, allow me to describe what for me were the best highlights of the concert.

First, the Josh Groban medley was utterly amazing. The voice of the tenor named Vince was well-defined and so expressive to the point that he can fill a concert of his own in the near future and continue to bedazzle the audience, both the young and the old.

Second, with all the choreography that they had during the first parts of the concert, I thought they would not pull off the last encore numbers. But, guess what, I was impressed that they all made it. (Dance Numbers: Boogie Wonderland (70's), Disco Inferno (70's), Dance Medley (60's and 70's), Footloose (80's, I think), Ai No Corrida (70's), Let the Joy Rise (2000's), Electric Dreams (80's) and Sayaw Darling (Willie Revillame fame)).

Third, these guys have a loads of talent, not just in singing and dancing, but also in EMOTING. They can cover up each other mistakes even in the missed voicings. Well, the veterans of Kundirana (my brother included) did a good job on complementing what others had lacked on practicing, so to speak.

I'm sure that when they would be setting their feet in one of the stages there in the US. Spotlights wouldn't be needed any longer, because the stars have already shone beside them.

Bon voyage, Kundirana 2008.

Transport Strike

Beep...Beep...Beep

Supposedly, I have a 7am class in the outskirts of my university (as if I own it). I already went out of the house to wait for the next machinery of soot and smoke to take to that place. I thought I was really, really late because I practically crammed my accounting homework.

It stinks to know that upon arrivng there a cute girl which was my classmate (yes!!) told me that there are no classes. So, staring at her smile, I replied in a very formal fashion that I was grateful for her to tell me that.
I can still remember her face. Hopefully, next time, her name. (Get out of whimsyland buster!!)

So, here I am right now, reading all the best, so to speak, articles this piece of technology has to provide while burning time and waiting for the jeepneys bark at me like hell. Thank God for Mercatornet!!

Bye. bye.

UP Elections 2008

I am writing this in an internet shop in the heat of the university, college and org elections. As I wait in anticipation for the results (because it is the first time I'm running), I remain very active in looking at the progress of the votings in different colleges. I mean this is a switch in leadership. A fresh mandate is at stake especially this UP Centennial. Good luck to all the candidates!!

can't write a longer blog entry.