SHE
062906
After the hot, hot summer, everyone was exited to experience school again. The first day was the most prepared day of all. It was nerve-wracking. You don’t know what to do, say, react and feel. If I know, almost all the students could not sleep the night before the big new day. Everyone was just so curious and excited about what would happen that day.
And that day came. June 13, 2006 I woke up at 5:30 in the morning. (Not bad for the first day of school). I wondered what my batch mates would look and sound like. I said my prayers and walked up to the corner to get a ride.
When I reached the prestigious gates of UP High, a familiar face approached me and asked “Oi! Do, skwela man lage ka?” I answered his joke with what I really felt. “Of course! Nganong di gud?! I Love school!” And from there I could see new shy faces doubting what their lives would be upon entering UP. “A whole lot of surprises” I whispered to the wind. I felt that too about three years ago.
And so my day started with meeting and greeting friends from all the corners of the school. People were noisily chatting about their unforgettable experience during the short summer vacation.
The bell rang for our day of flag ceremony. Everyone sang the national anthem although the pith was a little bit high. After hearing the news about the students who cannot memorize the Panatang Makabayan, I’m sure everyone tried their best to speak it or to pretend like they’re memorized it. But
When the singing of the school hymn started the sophomore, juniors, and seniors sang their hearts out. It was the only thing they were proud about that very moment since the freshies didn’t have any idea of that song. Then Madam Baltazar went to the stage to great everybody. But before she came down, she left the statement of the year. Do not stick to mediocrity. Strive for the excellence and always be the best. Everyone knew by heart what those words meant. I think that started classes with that statement from our hearts and minds.
At the end of the day, I realized what were expectations and personal promises. I think everyone hoped for the best of our year.
Now that I am graduating, I am about to face a new school-opening in a very different environment. I know it would be hard but I can’t do anything but to except it. I hope my first day in college will be as good and fresh as my first days in UP high.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Have a Break
l (a
le
af
fa
ll
s)
one
l
iness
-ee cummings
An ordinary person will find it too hard for him to understand the poem written above. Probably, that person will even not be interested in trying to understand it. What makes this poem different and not easy to comprehend is its structure and content. At first, I found the poem weird. Weird because it was written that way and I didn’t see the point of the writing it that way. “Why do people consider it an art?” is what I suddenly said after reading it for only five seconds. And after several reading-it-all-over-agains, maybe I got the point. l ) a for me means being alone. Actually I read the poem as a leaf falls loneliness. I don’t know if it makes sense. But all I can interpret from the poem is loneliness. (That’s the title.) But this loneliness is accompanied by solitude which makes it lonelier. Maybe the author was in extreme loneliness while writing this. I also noticed that if you take the phrase a leaf falls from the poem, what’s left is loneliness. Exciting! And after noticing that little excitement, I just can conclude that the poem is so full of loneliness. I believe that a person can find beauty in solitude. I find it amazing when people can write beautiful things amidst loneliness. It is very hard but what output you get is unbelievable. I’m sure the writer used the old typewriter that is why the poem was written that way. After gathering this information, I can really say that it all boils down to the point of being lonely. As Christille wrote in her blog, the need for hibernation something, we need to give valuable time for ourselves to reflect and contemplate about certain things in our life. In doing this, we can see the value of silence. And in silence, you can hear a lot of things you won’t hear in you everyday life. These things you will hear teach you a different side of life. But too much of something is bad enough as a song of the Spice Girls says. You can go crazy if all you do is be alone. I think we were not made to live in this world just to be alone. We were made for certain wonderful purposes and I know that these purposes don’t require us to be alone. It’s just a matter of self worth. Give yourself a break and look at the beauty of life.
-ee cummings
An ordinary person will find it too hard for him to understand the poem written above. Probably, that person will even not be interested in trying to understand it. What makes this poem different and not easy to comprehend is its structure and content. At first, I found the poem weird. Weird because it was written that way and I didn’t see the point of the writing it that way. “Why do people consider it an art?” is what I suddenly said after reading it for only five seconds. And after several reading-it-all-over-agains, maybe I got the point. l ) a for me means being alone. Actually I read the poem as a leaf falls loneliness. I don’t know if it makes sense. But all I can interpret from the poem is loneliness. (That’s the title.) But this loneliness is accompanied by solitude which makes it lonelier. Maybe the author was in extreme loneliness while writing this. I also noticed that if you take the phrase a leaf falls from the poem, what’s left is loneliness. Exciting! And after noticing that little excitement, I just can conclude that the poem is so full of loneliness. I believe that a person can find beauty in solitude. I find it amazing when people can write beautiful things amidst loneliness. It is very hard but what output you get is unbelievable. I’m sure the writer used the old typewriter that is why the poem was written that way. After gathering this information, I can really say that it all boils down to the point of being lonely. As Christille wrote in her blog, the need for hibernation something, we need to give valuable time for ourselves to reflect and contemplate about certain things in our life. In doing this, we can see the value of silence. And in silence, you can hear a lot of things you won’t hear in you everyday life. These things you will hear teach you a different side of life. But too much of something is bad enough as a song of the Spice Girls says. You can go crazy if all you do is be alone. I think we were not made to live in this world just to be alone. We were made for certain wonderful purposes and I know that these purposes don’t require us to be alone. It’s just a matter of self worth. Give yourself a break and look at the beauty of life.
Remember Me This Way
My stay in UP may be short but there wasn’t a moment in this stay when I regretted it. It was like yesterday when we were just strangers. But look at us now. You can never say that nothing has changed. At first, we were those freshies who followed every rule in this very big and university. Then we knew how to go a little bit beyond the boundaries until we found ourselves facing Ma’am Rabago about our never ending list of violations. “I didn’t wear my I.D. Ma’am because I forgot to bring it on this day. I promise not to do it again Ma’am.” We all sounded most likely like that. Our batch was playful and somehow carefree. If given the luxury of time, I think we would rather stay under the heat of the sun and play Patintero. But as we all know we are no ordinary students. We are UPians. So here we are spending that luxury of time in making our blogs, researches, notes in SocSci, bring home exams in Calculus, last minute general cleaning for HR and CWTS, periodicals for P.E. and many more. But everything has a reason. I know after all these we will see the fruits of our labor and very hard work. Patience is a virtue as Byron always tells me. It really is. Our walk in this very tricky, confusing, tiring but best journey has come to an abrupt end. We never foresaw the coming of what we called “soon”. My high school life, experiences I learned from it and people I met all taught me important things a person should know to live a worth living life. I learned to be on my own. I learned to read, write and understand things at the same time love what I’m doing. It’s never easy to serve two masters at one time unless you love them both. I learned to give and receive. I learned how to mingle with people who are so diverse. I learned how to treasure every moment I spent with friends. I learned to appreciate my one-of-a-kind education. I learned the word “mediocrity”. I found out why cheating was a rare kind of art by witnessing what tragedy it can bring to a person. I learned how to love without being loved in return. I saw beauty in solitude and treachery in assemblage. But most of all is the realization that without God, there would be no one writing this blog entry.
I simply want those who know me to remember me as the Doanne who became their good friend. I didn’t give much to the school in terms of awards for certain contests except for being a behaved student. All I want to be remembered is the friendship I could give by will with all of my heart. I prefer that our batch be remembered-the batch that somehow gave existence to the essence of UP High.
Ok. Next blog please…
I simply want those who know me to remember me as the Doanne who became their good friend. I didn’t give much to the school in terms of awards for certain contests except for being a behaved student. All I want to be remembered is the friendship I could give by will with all of my heart. I prefer that our batch be remembered-the batch that somehow gave existence to the essence of UP High.
Ok. Next blog please…
A Little Flashback
I was looking for a material for the blog project when I saw my English II notebook. I saw this entry and decided to add it to my entries. This was entitled “Predictions”. Let's find out if my predictions really came true.
Last Saturday, April 2, almost half of the Benton Class batch 2004-2005 went to the Family Park to have fun and to celebrate the last outing of our section. Everyone enjoyed that day. As I was taking pictures of my classmates, I felt sadness in me. I will surely miss them because this was the last day we could get together as Benton. Unfortunately,I had to be home by 2:30 in the afternoon because my mother needed help in preparing the church for the next day. (After one day...) Now I'm on my study table and h'm about to write my predictions about our batch for the next school year. I'll start with Jann. I think she would be a good leader because she has the talent and the attitude. In my prediction she will be the active president of the UPSTAGE. For Hazel, she will have many offers because of her many talent in playing the guitar. Maybe she will have a band and they will be playing on stage especially on athletes night. Ralph will study more next school year. He has to improve his study habits. Christille will continue her sining career but will have to do something new. She is going to learn Hangul or the Korean language. It really inspires her. Lyndel and Daphne will become closer because they share a lot in common. Olga is going to be with her former classmates. Nico is going to be with Danesa in the same section. John Paul will be louder than ever. Chairman will make the school proud because of his amazing achievements in Math. Lorenz will not have to visit the other section because he will see Yolike everyday. Juna Rose is going to bloom and become a beautiful lady. And as for me I will be me. I hope my predictions will happen. But one thing is sure to happen...Benton will still play the prestigious Patintero at the volleyball court of UP high. These things are about to happen next year. I can't wait. And after two long and rough years, I am to comment on my work. Actually, Jaja and I are very hungry right now so I would like to say sorry for the typographical errors you surely will encounter. Back to “busyness”...Most of my predictions came true. Jann indeed became the president of the UPSTAGE when we were juniors. Hazel now has a very hectic schedule because her talent in playing the guitar is badly needed. I don't really know about Ralph's study habits but I see his improvements. I saw how responsible he is if you just make him feel that a certain task is yet only for him. It was evident in the Dramafest when he was my co-director for music. Look at Christille “The Singing Egg” Gultiano now. Isn't she amazing? She still sings for any school event that needs singing. She won first place in the solo singing during our Intramurals for the year 2007. She still became inclined to the “Korean Talks”. Lyndel and Daphne became a new team. They included Mae Ann and others. Nico's crush wasn't Danesa anymore so my prediction about him didn't work out well. JP never became quiet. During our successful retreat, Madam Maglasang scolded him for being extra noisy. Lorenz and Yolike were not classmates in our third year .It is only now when they got together again. But even if they were separated for a year,their feelings for each other strengthen. Juna, as always, becomes beautiful every time I see her. We still play the Patintero but when we became the busy seniors we are right now, we didn't have the luxury ot time to play Patitero. But we will always remember the days where we were the people in authority of the volleyball court. Isn't it so good to recall the wonderful and intricate past?
Last Saturday, April 2, almost half of the Benton Class batch 2004-2005 went to the Family Park to have fun and to celebrate the last outing of our section. Everyone enjoyed that day. As I was taking pictures of my classmates, I felt sadness in me. I will surely miss them because this was the last day we could get together as Benton. Unfortunately,I had to be home by 2:30 in the afternoon because my mother needed help in preparing the church for the next day. (After one day...) Now I'm on my study table and h'm about to write my predictions about our batch for the next school year. I'll start with Jann. I think she would be a good leader because she has the talent and the attitude. In my prediction she will be the active president of the UPSTAGE. For Hazel, she will have many offers because of her many talent in playing the guitar. Maybe she will have a band and they will be playing on stage especially on athletes night. Ralph will study more next school year. He has to improve his study habits. Christille will continue her sining career but will have to do something new. She is going to learn Hangul or the Korean language. It really inspires her. Lyndel and Daphne will become closer because they share a lot in common. Olga is going to be with her former classmates. Nico is going to be with Danesa in the same section. John Paul will be louder than ever. Chairman will make the school proud because of his amazing achievements in Math. Lorenz will not have to visit the other section because he will see Yolike everyday. Juna Rose is going to bloom and become a beautiful lady. And as for me I will be me. I hope my predictions will happen. But one thing is sure to happen...Benton will still play the prestigious Patintero at the volleyball court of UP high. These things are about to happen next year. I can't wait. And after two long and rough years, I am to comment on my work. Actually, Jaja and I are very hungry right now so I would like to say sorry for the typographical errors you surely will encounter. Back to “busyness”...Most of my predictions came true. Jann indeed became the president of the UPSTAGE when we were juniors. Hazel now has a very hectic schedule because her talent in playing the guitar is badly needed. I don't really know about Ralph's study habits but I see his improvements. I saw how responsible he is if you just make him feel that a certain task is yet only for him. It was evident in the Dramafest when he was my co-director for music. Look at Christille “The Singing Egg” Gultiano now. Isn't she amazing? She still sings for any school event that needs singing. She won first place in the solo singing during our Intramurals for the year 2007. She still became inclined to the “Korean Talks”. Lyndel and Daphne became a new team. They included Mae Ann and others. Nico's crush wasn't Danesa anymore so my prediction about him didn't work out well. JP never became quiet. During our successful retreat, Madam Maglasang scolded him for being extra noisy. Lorenz and Yolike were not classmates in our third year .It is only now when they got together again. But even if they were separated for a year,their feelings for each other strengthen. Juna, as always, becomes beautiful every time I see her. We still play the Patintero but when we became the busy seniors we are right now, we didn't have the luxury ot time to play Patitero. But we will always remember the days where we were the people in authority of the volleyball court. Isn't it so good to recall the wonderful and intricate past?
“Kiss” Me
The Look
Strephon kissed me in the spring,
Robin in the fall,
But Colin only looked at meAnd never kissed at all.
Strephon's kiss was lost in jest,
Robin's lost in play,
But the kiss in Colin's eyes
Haunts me night and day.
-- Sara Teasdale
This simple poem gave a big impact on me. For me, I interpreted it like this:
Strephon, Robin and Colin are three different men who most likely are suitors of this girl. She didn’t have a hard time in choosing her man. Strephon kissed her in spring, Robin in fall but Colin didn’t kiss her at all. Instead he just looked at her. For her, who experienced all the different kisses, Colin’s look was the best kiss because he didn’t do anything to get her attention but she clearly fell for his sweet smile to the extent of it haunting her night and day. “But your very first kiss changed all these...Something only you can do...” (lines from “I Believe In You” by N'SYNC featuring Joe)
Love indeed is sweet and unjustifiable. Why is it so hard to fathom? Why can’t the girl love the one who kissed her in spring? Isn’t it romantic to be kissed during a fresh season? How about during fall? Why did she choose the look which didn’t give any assurance of true love in return? Questions then just flood out of our minds. Well, people’s minds slow down, change a lot and don’t work that much when it comes to love. That’s what I think. Love doesn’t need any reason for its existence. One day you’ll get hit by it. You just don’t know why, when, where, how and by who. People enter my life telling me they me like for this and that. I appreciate them but I don’t give much attention on them. Maybe if someone will kiss me someday, I know I won’t take it as a kiss of something else but a kiss of nothing else. I’m sure I won’t fall in love just because of a kiss. I look for other things in the game called love. I may not play fair to others but I stick to my principles. I know that the “look” that I’m looking for may not be in the form of a kiss. Maybe it would be in the form of a smile, a song, a glance or a melody that I’ll hear in the wind. These simple things can make my heart melt. I’m probably not the type of person who falls for very sweet words (because I hate mushy things) or kisses. Maybe I’ll appreciate it more when you give me your million-worth smile, your unconscious hum or your friendly hug. There are many other things that will make me fall for someone. Time will come when someone will “kiss” me. I hope people will understand the difference between happiness in passionate love and bliss you rarely find in true love.
Whatever Things
The problem with men and women is the fact that they make problems out of themselves.
Men think they're superior over women and that superiority , most likely, makes the women go crazy over them. Women nag most of the time and are noise to men's ears but those naggers are the sweet ones who just care 1023 times. Sometimes men hook up with a women for display. They want to be in with what's trendy today. They don't focus musch on the "will-we-really-work" but instead reason out the word "companionship". Most women are vain; vain to the extent of only selecting from a wide range of good-looking men. They think they must look good all the time and in order to look good they must go with people who also look good. They belong!
What is so annoying with both sexes is the metanoia that will make them forget their names. People do cahnge for better or for worse but in just an instant? Doesn't it make you feel bad to see your special someone turm into your worst nightmare that day after he or she said goodnight? That's one of the mysteries in a just starting relationship. Yesterday, he made her smile and laugh to tears as they spent the whole day together. The next day they met each other but never said a word. So what's the piont in all of this when you will never change?
Just when you thought girls talk too much...
When boys get together they never miss the "backbite" pitstop. Yes, they do backbite worse thatn you can imagine. Girls on the other hand are fond of using codenames so that it would woukd be easier to talk about things in public. And there are some boys who really hate it. Girl go like " Mr. Sun and Ms. Moon is so and so" Who cares about the sun and the moon anyway?
But everyone fing it so hard to say sorry. Pride will always be on top of our heads. Saying sorry, for some, is tantamount to stripping off their identities. Pride can really kill. Boys say all the darnest things from loving you forever to giving you Polaris. That's a problem. But girls believe their every word. That's double jeopardy. For me, there is no problem at all if you do not make one.
Men think they're superior over women and that superiority , most likely, makes the women go crazy over them. Women nag most of the time and are noise to men's ears but those naggers are the sweet ones who just care 1023 times. Sometimes men hook up with a women for display. They want to be in with what's trendy today. They don't focus musch on the "will-we-really-work" but instead reason out the word "companionship". Most women are vain; vain to the extent of only selecting from a wide range of good-looking men. They think they must look good all the time and in order to look good they must go with people who also look good. They belong!
What is so annoying with both sexes is the metanoia that will make them forget their names. People do cahnge for better or for worse but in just an instant? Doesn't it make you feel bad to see your special someone turm into your worst nightmare that day after he or she said goodnight? That's one of the mysteries in a just starting relationship. Yesterday, he made her smile and laugh to tears as they spent the whole day together. The next day they met each other but never said a word. So what's the piont in all of this when you will never change?
Just when you thought girls talk too much...
When boys get together they never miss the "backbite" pitstop. Yes, they do backbite worse thatn you can imagine. Girls on the other hand are fond of using codenames so that it would woukd be easier to talk about things in public. And there are some boys who really hate it. Girl go like " Mr. Sun and Ms. Moon is so and so" Who cares about the sun and the moon anyway?
But everyone fing it so hard to say sorry. Pride will always be on top of our heads. Saying sorry, for some, is tantamount to stripping off their identities. Pride can really kill. Boys say all the darnest things from loving you forever to giving you Polaris. That's a problem. But girls believe their every word. That's double jeopardy. For me, there is no problem at all if you do not make one.
Fears Conquered
Our fears and weaknesses need to be conquered
Most of the people are afraid of ghosts, roaches, spiders, snakes and some dark and other creepy things. I can't say that I'm not afraid of them too, but let's just say they're not on my list. There are many kinds of fears but what I personally fear is very unique.
Ever since I was born, I really love music. I even have a picture of myself in my diapers with headphones as I lay beside the radio. My parents said that I began to sing when I was two. (but it doesn't mean that I sound good)I joined the choir at church when I was five. I bought my very first tape when I turned six. It was a Christian tape for kids. In short, music became a part of my life. If you ask, how it would be
connected to fear sit tight I'm going to need you to keep reading this.
A part of me makes me insane
I don't know but there are some songs that freak me out especially the ones which exhibit broken chords. Like the song Losing Grip and I'm With You by the famous Avril Lavigne. I think everyone in the family is hooked to music but I am the only one who is, at the same time afraid of it. I am also afraid of being alone even if I'm in a public place with a lot of people and no one seems to be a friend. It also freaks me out. My mom as well as my Dad knows that fact and would never try to leave me unattended. But as time passed by,I
learned to handle being alone. It will never be me being a loner. It also doesn't mean that I'm sure of finding a lifetime partner in the near future.
Solitude can also be found in relationships. I'm happy being single. As long as I have God,my family and friends beside me, most likely my love life will never be lonely.
Lost in confusion
I remember a day in my elementary years when one half of the students in our class were going to Family Park. We all had to follow the buddy system. We all had our buddies to go with. My buddy that time was my friend Brosel. When we toured around the place. It was so good and beautiful that we found ourselves lost. Even if Brosel was there, I couldn't stop myself to be afraid. I wanted to scream but neither our teacher nor our my classmates were thereto help.It would be useless. It was just me, Brosel and the forest that was about to eat us alive. So what I did was to pray for guidance. And after a few minutes we heard our other classmates laughing like there was no harm to worry on. The sound was quite near so with all our might, we followed their sound. Fortunately, we found them. When we were ask to write something about what we experienced the next day, Brosel wrote, " Each one of us has the right to be found." They all laughed at her because she was like making stories and building a new constitution but she fought and still fights for that right she just made. I smiled because I knew that if I just didn't believe in God, I might be really lost in confusion with what is happening around me. I can conqure my fears if I just believe in God that he will comfort and guide me. Well, I'd better end now. I still have to make 15 blog entries. Bye.
Most of the people are afraid of ghosts, roaches, spiders, snakes and some dark and other creepy things. I can't say that I'm not afraid of them too, but let's just say they're not on my list. There are many kinds of fears but what I personally fear is very unique.
Ever since I was born, I really love music. I even have a picture of myself in my diapers with headphones as I lay beside the radio. My parents said that I began to sing when I was two. (but it doesn't mean that I sound good)I joined the choir at church when I was five. I bought my very first tape when I turned six. It was a Christian tape for kids. In short, music became a part of my life. If you ask, how it would be
connected to fear sit tight I'm going to need you to keep reading this.
A part of me makes me insane
I don't know but there are some songs that freak me out especially the ones which exhibit broken chords. Like the song Losing Grip and I'm With You by the famous Avril Lavigne. I think everyone in the family is hooked to music but I am the only one who is, at the same time afraid of it. I am also afraid of being alone even if I'm in a public place with a lot of people and no one seems to be a friend. It also freaks me out. My mom as well as my Dad knows that fact and would never try to leave me unattended. But as time passed by,I
learned to handle being alone. It will never be me being a loner. It also doesn't mean that I'm sure of finding a lifetime partner in the near future.
Solitude can also be found in relationships. I'm happy being single. As long as I have God,my family and friends beside me, most likely my love life will never be lonely.
Lost in confusion
I remember a day in my elementary years when one half of the students in our class were going to Family Park. We all had to follow the buddy system. We all had our buddies to go with. My buddy that time was my friend Brosel. When we toured around the place. It was so good and beautiful that we found ourselves lost. Even if Brosel was there, I couldn't stop myself to be afraid. I wanted to scream but neither our teacher nor our my classmates were thereto help.It would be useless. It was just me, Brosel and the forest that was about to eat us alive. So what I did was to pray for guidance. And after a few minutes we heard our other classmates laughing like there was no harm to worry on. The sound was quite near so with all our might, we followed their sound. Fortunately, we found them. When we were ask to write something about what we experienced the next day, Brosel wrote, " Each one of us has the right to be found." They all laughed at her because she was like making stories and building a new constitution but she fought and still fights for that right she just made. I smiled because I knew that if I just didn't believe in God, I might be really lost in confusion with what is happening around me. I can conqure my fears if I just believe in God that he will comfort and guide me. Well, I'd better end now. I still have to make 15 blog entries. Bye.
Guess What?! It's Gonna Be Me
There are only a few people who really know me. Myparents, my best friends and my dog. I do have friends
but again, only a few know me very well. I don't
pour out myself to anyone, that's why if you want to
know me very well, you are lucky because I'm about to
open up myself to you.
Since I am in a rush to somehow finish this very exhausting blog, I'll
just write the rare and some common things about me. My name is Doanne Lyre Landero Montecastro. Doanne came from my parent's names. Do from Dominador and Anne from Annie Jean, my mother's name. Lyre came from an instrument because they said that I will love music and make it a part of my life.
And that's exactly what happened. I loved music at a very
early age. I find bliss in it. But I fear it. This is something even I cannot understand. There are some kinds of music that causes trauma on me. I find it difficult to detach myself from it and all I can do is cry it out. There is another weird thing about me. I eat rice with water on it. I prefer this over soup if I'm just at home. Yes! I do this every time I eat a meal
with rice. Before, I was afraid to do it in school
because people might think that I am weird and too different to comprehend. But I said to myself, there's no harm if I try and maybe introduce it to others. If they can't adopt to me doing it, it's enough that they accept the real me. I tried it with Mariel, Grace, April, Ella and Shedyl
as my lucky witnesses. They were like, "What the..." But then said, "Okay, you have your own unique style in eating,go on with it." Sometimes my friends ask me about my happy past so I share my unbelievable but true adventures like climbing the mountain, reaching the top ( a cliff ) and my bigger classmates had to bring us down safely one by one. I always go for adventure since I was in grade four. When I was in grade six, my goal was to visit all of my classmates houses before I graduated. Whew! That was close. And I finished my goal just right before the big day. Daryl's house was the last I got to see. I can also say that I am an active person and that I do things beyond my parent's imagination, like when my cousin visited us and he taught me how to "hitch" a ride at the back of a cargo truck. I've always
wanted to do that. I just laugh at myself whenever I recall those days. It was one of my cheap thrills.
By the way, I was born March 30, 1990 at Cebu Doctor's Hospital at about 6:30 in the morning. When I was still a toddler, we lived in an apartment at the back of CAP building at Jones Avenue. Then when I turned five, we moved to Sindulan, Mabolo. When I started school, we transfered to New Frontier, the place where my family resides now. We had to move three times because of my father's job or ministry.
Okay, that's a lot about me already. If you want to find out how rice and water taste, you can chat with me if I'm online at bluenike_06.com. http://friendster.com/dlyreil is the url to find out how high school life is sweet at UP High. So I'll have to leave. Until next time.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Teach Me If You Can
UP High annually celebrates the Know Your School Day which is an event that gives the teachers a break from their noble careers. Students get a chance to substitute as faculty and staff of the University for a day. It is also a good way to know how people work in school. You get a chance to know UP High’s system of teaching. The KYSD has been a tradition in UP High and every year it gets better and better. Actually the KYSD runs for a couple of days. It isn’t only for a day. Sometimes runs for two to three days. It also happened before that the KYSD was held in a week. But the duration doesn’t matter because the success of the KYSD, with the help of the Student Council, is consistent. In my four years in UP, I never had a chance to be a teacher in the KYSD probably because I never had the passion for teaching even if my mom, dad and aunt are teachers. I didn’t want to teach. I always wanted to just be a student - a learning student. The first time I experienced this event, I was amazed because my classmates were so in to becoming little Madam Gallos, Sir Montaños, Madam Logartas and many more cute things. Of course, the freshies were the devotees of this event. Imagine the excitement we felt. It was an honor to be a teacher. You’ll be of higher rank over your classmates so you can scold them for being noisy like you when you are a part in class. You have authority over them. If I know, almost everyone wanted to become a teacher for a day. It was always good to know that at our very young and feeble age, we had the guts and skills to teach people of our generation. I can still remember Richard and Juna teaching us Geometry. At first we didn’t really understand the existence of the arc. But they really tried to explain how the arcs work and they were successful with it. How did we know? Well, we became third year students. Somehow, I remembered Aiko as a student-teacher in Social Science and Computer. (I’m not sure of that) I don’t know but Aiko loves teaching SocSci. It was good news for us because Sir Montaño doesn’t come to class that regular that’s why we can have a good discussion of the history of the world. I think Grace tried to be a Biology teacher even if she’s better at Math.April Rhiz was my seatmate during Chemistry time so I witnessed her preparations for her Chemistry discussion about RedOx. Lately, Chairman and Jann discussed a topic for Calculus called Related Rates. While writing this, a flashback of Ella teaching PE came into my mind. She gave a joke one time about her application for the certain subject and we laughed at her. The next day, we were having PE with Ms. Sarmago. But after two years, Ella felt that she was not contented with the PE teacher position so this year she made sure that this year she would be the Professional Division Chairperson and she did! It feels different when your co-student is teaching you. Sometimes you really don’t understand what they’re trying to teach you. But most of the time, we understand the new lessons because the new teachers know what we find hard about the lesson so they make sure that we don’t struggle. We also are stimulated to learn because we are most likely on the same line of thinking especially on the choice of words. Student-teachers can express more what they’re trying to say. We don’t easily get bored because they know when to throw jokes and ice-breakers. But after the day, we still get back to our student instincts. We still play and laugh our hearts out. I still prefer being taught than to teach.
1 testimonial to reject or approve
This will be in a formal manner so please bear with me.
It was a room full of tension and anxiety. The air could be considered humid and saturated because of the hard breathing everyone was doing. We were eager to push smiles but it was difficult since it was our first day and we barely knew anyone and in the midst of all of this…
“She’s cold and she’s cruel but she knows what she’s doing…” Something anonymously powerful struck the platform with a “Good morning Madam. Good morning classmates. I’m Ella Beverly Sarmago and I’m proud to be your classmate!” And we were all like “What the?!” I could perfectly and vividly imagine how she looked and what she was on. She was wearing blue cargo jeans and a spaghetti top with white and green stripes. She really defined “sexy and hot” We all stared at her as she took her seat;the seat behind me!
She was oozing...oozing with confidence! She greeted everyone that surrounded her. You could then see that she was a carefree person and that she has so much to share. She was just that natural and from the on she showed us what she could do and can do for the better. Ella constantly surprised us with tidbits of who she was. It was because she was loud.. Loud in the sense that she speaks of her beautiful mind and she contained liberalism with good reason. But I found out something different when she smiled at me. Because in that smile I saw melancholy. I saw that Ella differed from those loud and liberated women who didn't care that much of others and focused only on what they want to say. She was indeed human;weak and tender at heart. I was that bad for not seeing that hurting piece of Ella's vulnerable heart. Ella was deeply crying inside. All I wanted was to reach out to her but honestly, I couldn't because I didn't know how. There was this big wall that hindered me from touching her. There were these times when we laughed our hearts out and sang to our very last breaths but I didn't get the time to talk to her heart to heart. I prayed in the evenings that Ella would somehow be awakened from her sadness just like a princess who slept for a thousand years. I knew I could not be her prince so I just whispered my wishes for her to the wind hoping that the wind will sing them to Ella's long waiting prince. In the middle of our struggles, I saw her as she grew into the lovely lady we see now. She remained humble. Humble because she she still had the valuable time to say her “Hi's” and “Hello's” and the “I like what what your wearing today...” But still, she wasn't that happy. I already heard of her hurtful past when destiny permitted us to talk about it one day. And I admire her for being so strong because I know it's never easy to let go. Ella may appear firm and strong outside but she needs that certain touch to change her life and make it more beautiful because Ella deserves it. JP may not be that
prince Ella is waiting for but I know that somehow he has made Ella feel different toward life. Someone has seen the beauty within her. Someone made her feel special in a way.
This maybe too mushy for you to handle Ella but I mean everything I wrote. That's what I see in you. I had always seen the good heart in you and I hope you will not forget that you have it. Use it to share good to others. Thank you for always believing in me. You make me special.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Inside my Memory Box
Addressed to Ella’s “Memories in a Box”…
As young as twelve, I saw high school as a stage of teen problems, drug addiction, bad peer pressure, fraternities and boy-girl relationships. Ridiculous isn’t it? That shows my being narrow-minded and the conservative environment I was surrounded with. I wanted to skip high school, jump to college and finish my education. I never knew what pleasure and fun awaited me.
It was in my second year in UP when I realized how awesome high school was. And it was then when my memory box was born. I filled it with every bit of memory I could have. So what do you think is inside this memory box of mine?
What consists of this flashback trunk are just simple stuff like my first year library card (I think it was only required in that year because it didn’t exist in the following years); some parents permit for a certain school event (just shows that either I didn’t come to the event or the guard was asleep); the doll-key-chain Yolike gave after the Christmas break; a 19-forgotten paper chat with Jabert about his crush; my very hi-tech calculator that broke down after three months of extensive use; bracelets given by Eldee and Stacey; the pink pillow given by the juniors during our last promenade; my vulnerable flute; and the red silk we wore around our waists when we won the Dayegon Contest. By the way, these are only those that can be seen on the surface of the box. Underneath are more memories.
These included the copy of the songs in the CD gives as a token by the juniors; raffle tickets I bought because it was compulsory but I didn’t hand it over during the draw; the immortal Jonathan Livingstone Seagull; the cross stitch that wrote “Dany” and up to now I don’t even know who Dany is; letters from Christille, Byron. April Mae, Jann, Jabert and Stacey; another keychain from Arvin(he gave key chains to all who were in Bocobo); candies and lollipops(I collect every sweet someone gives me unless I am really in need to eat it); the box of peanut kisses Richard gave me when I turned sixteen; the wallets I used in my third and first year; the blue scoop I used to eat the thirty-peso-worth of ice cream at MV Duolos ; the mini Harry-Potter-organizer that lasted only for a year; the bottle of sand we gathered from an on-the-spot outing to Pepito’s beach; Chinese Checkers we won in exchange of the tickets we collected from playing at Timezone; the slightly-used map of the world for our SocSci 1; Math 1’s “Annual Statement of Account”; a bookmark from Gracielle; the bag I got for Christmas from the Royal-Family-Christmas-Tradition; message in a bottle given by Jann; the classic polvoron Nico Martin distributed; the candles warmed us during the freezing promenade; assorted coins from Madam Gallo; the dice I found on the street one cold and sad night; the Hilton ball pen
Nico lended when we had one of those nerve-wracking Calculus tests; my so-called “soulmate” bracelet (the one I found twice in my stay in UP); the amazing UP Handbook; my very first watch; Statistics booklet (I always keep it because this was the only Math I was confident with); a ticket to the Oedipus Rex (starring Ella and Gabby); my favorite SocSci 2 notebook; a poster for Hale’s very first concert here in Cebu which was posted on the walls of the waiting shed; Madam Lapa’s table of elements; Carol-of-the-Bells lyrics; UPCAT requirements; and the most valuable material memories-pictures!!!!
And from what has been written above, you can now imagine how full and memorable my memory box is.
So, what’s inside your memory box Ella?
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Ethanol From Potato, Sweet potato and Taro
A Comparative study on Ethanol content from potato, sweet potato and taro was conducted by Research II students of the University of the Philippines High School in Cebu. The said study was conducted by Mariel Stephanie Alvizo, Juna Rose Dinglasa, John Albert Metoda and Doanne Lyre Montecastro.Here is a summary of the study.
Our country mainly depends on foreign products like energy from oil and petroleum. We get most of these from the Middle East. We are directly affected with the increasing rates of these energy sources especially that we experience inflation here in the Philippines. People have come up with ideas of using alternatives for petroleum; alternatives that are cheaper than but still as good as petroleum. Then biodiesel came up. Biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources (such as vegetable oils), which can be used in unmodified diesel-engined vehicles. One of the raw materials needed to make biodiesel is ethyl alcohol commonly known as ethanol. Ethanol is found in starchy and sugary plants. The plants used in this project are under those which are starchy. These plants are the root crops potato, sweet potato and taro (commonly known as gabi). The researchers also used decided to use these root crops because of its availability in Cebu. This project aims to measure the ethanol content in the three root crops. These root crops were boiled, mashed then blended separately. Yeast was added to the blended root crops. The root crops underwent the process of fermentation for 30 days. Fermentation is the conversion of sugar to alcohol using yeast under anaerobic conditions. A more general definition of fermentation is the chemical conversion of carbohydrates into alcohols and acids. After the fermentation process, the fermented root crops were subjected for distillation which is the process of separating liquid from another liquid. Ethanol must be separated from water at this rate. When evaporating, the temperature must not exceed 80 degrees Celsius because if it does exceed, it will become water. This process took the researchers 15 hours per root crop. The gathered samples are contained in a Florence flask. To test if the gathered samples are really ethanol, the researchers used the flame test. A thimbleful of the sample was lit to see if it really was ethanol. Sweet potato showed a bigger spark than potato while taro didn’t spark at all.
In the first trial, ethanol gathered from 100 ml of sweet potato was 7.9 ml, 0.8 ml from potato and 1.5 ml from taro respectively.
In trial 2, the volume of ethanol extracted from 100 ml of sweet potato was 7.1 ml, from potato was 8.6 ml and from taro was 9.5 ml. The mean volume of ethanol content from sweet potato is 7.5 ml; 4.7 ml from potato and 5.5 ml from taro. From the results, the researchers concluded that sweet potatoes yielded the greatest amount of ethanol and that it is the best source of ethanol among the three root crops. And from these conclusions, the researchers came up with recommendations like the promotion of biodiesel as an alternative for petroleum for sectors like the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology. They also recommended the establishments of companies that allow the production of ethanol to the investors. And lastly, they recommend the improvement of the study to the future researchers.
Our country mainly depends on foreign products like energy from oil and petroleum. We get most of these from the Middle East. We are directly affected with the increasing rates of these energy sources especially that we experience inflation here in the Philippines. People have come up with ideas of using alternatives for petroleum; alternatives that are cheaper than but still as good as petroleum. Then biodiesel came up. Biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources (such as vegetable oils), which can be used in unmodified diesel-engined vehicles. One of the raw materials needed to make biodiesel is ethyl alcohol commonly known as ethanol. Ethanol is found in starchy and sugary plants. The plants used in this project are under those which are starchy. These plants are the root crops potato, sweet potato and taro (commonly known as gabi). The researchers also used decided to use these root crops because of its availability in Cebu. This project aims to measure the ethanol content in the three root crops. These root crops were boiled, mashed then blended separately. Yeast was added to the blended root crops. The root crops underwent the process of fermentation for 30 days. Fermentation is the conversion of sugar to alcohol using yeast under anaerobic conditions. A more general definition of fermentation is the chemical conversion of carbohydrates into alcohols and acids. After the fermentation process, the fermented root crops were subjected for distillation which is the process of separating liquid from another liquid. Ethanol must be separated from water at this rate. When evaporating, the temperature must not exceed 80 degrees Celsius because if it does exceed, it will become water. This process took the researchers 15 hours per root crop. The gathered samples are contained in a Florence flask. To test if the gathered samples are really ethanol, the researchers used the flame test. A thimbleful of the sample was lit to see if it really was ethanol. Sweet potato showed a bigger spark than potato while taro didn’t spark at all.
In the first trial, ethanol gathered from 100 ml of sweet potato was 7.9 ml, 0.8 ml from potato and 1.5 ml from taro respectively.
In trial 2, the volume of ethanol extracted from 100 ml of sweet potato was 7.1 ml, from potato was 8.6 ml and from taro was 9.5 ml. The mean volume of ethanol content from sweet potato is 7.5 ml; 4.7 ml from potato and 5.5 ml from taro. From the results, the researchers concluded that sweet potatoes yielded the greatest amount of ethanol and that it is the best source of ethanol among the three root crops. And from these conclusions, the researchers came up with recommendations like the promotion of biodiesel as an alternative for petroleum for sectors like the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology. They also recommended the establishments of companies that allow the production of ethanol to the investors. And lastly, they recommend the improvement of the study to the future researchers.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Gate Pass to Heaven?
People say I have a gate pass to heaven because I’m a PK.
I am a PK. Yup, I’m a Pastor’s Kid and I’m proud to be one. But being a PK is not that easy as you think. Although we never skip meals, and we get tons and tons of freebies, thanks to the overflowing blessings of God, these don’t exempt us from salvation. We have to personally work on it. Our parents are given to us by God to guide us in living rightfully in this cruel world. They are also to help us grow spiritually. But I still have to decide for myself on what to believe in, right? But I’ll tell you what. I am glad that my parents believe in God. That gives me a very strong foundation and I know that with that, I’m headed for the right path.
Being a PK is also tough. We usually get persecuted by those non-believers. They pity on us for being meek and extra good but they don’t pity on their souls. If they just knew that they would rot in hell if they don’t change for good. We also get tempted. Like me. I study at a very liberated environment and temptation is anywhere at any time. So I am more susceptible to temptation now that I understand what is right and wrong. But I manage to make it through even if I commit a lot of mistakes on the way. I learn from them but there are still times when I give in. Silly me huh? I must admit that I am human and can never be perfect but imperfection is not an exemption for doing wrong. As much as possible, I do right things. Sometimes, my mind gets so narrow that I don’t understand the need to do this and that. But then I ponder on thoughts like why the good Lord gave me understanding and patient parents. They were really to help me cope up in life and make reasonable decisions for my own good. Look at me now! I’m happy, healthy and contented with life. There may be times when I crave for worldly things, things that will vanish anytime but I try to get back on track. God gave me knowledge about what’s good and bad so I have to use it wisely.
God also blessed me with good and God-fearing friends. I never imagined that I would find these kind of people in UP but if it was meant for us to meet, then nothing else would matter. I got friends who believe that there is a good God because they also experience his goodness in their everyday lives. These are my most treasured valuables in this harsh world. We easily relate to each other because more or less we have the same goals in life. And that is to live and love life to the fullest by doing what is right. I can’t say that I’m sure of going to heaven but I know that I’m on the right track and I hope I won’t go astray. The road to heaven is narrow. I should fit in.
People still think that I’m sure of my gate pass to heaven because I’m a PK. I think it is our human instinct that is telling us that. But no one is really exempted. We stand equal in the eyes of our maker. It is just a matter on working our faith out. Isn’t it time to reflect on things like this?
I am a PK. Yup, I’m a Pastor’s Kid and I’m proud to be one. But being a PK is not that easy as you think. Although we never skip meals, and we get tons and tons of freebies, thanks to the overflowing blessings of God, these don’t exempt us from salvation. We have to personally work on it. Our parents are given to us by God to guide us in living rightfully in this cruel world. They are also to help us grow spiritually. But I still have to decide for myself on what to believe in, right? But I’ll tell you what. I am glad that my parents believe in God. That gives me a very strong foundation and I know that with that, I’m headed for the right path.
Being a PK is also tough. We usually get persecuted by those non-believers. They pity on us for being meek and extra good but they don’t pity on their souls. If they just knew that they would rot in hell if they don’t change for good. We also get tempted. Like me. I study at a very liberated environment and temptation is anywhere at any time. So I am more susceptible to temptation now that I understand what is right and wrong. But I manage to make it through even if I commit a lot of mistakes on the way. I learn from them but there are still times when I give in. Silly me huh? I must admit that I am human and can never be perfect but imperfection is not an exemption for doing wrong. As much as possible, I do right things. Sometimes, my mind gets so narrow that I don’t understand the need to do this and that. But then I ponder on thoughts like why the good Lord gave me understanding and patient parents. They were really to help me cope up in life and make reasonable decisions for my own good. Look at me now! I’m happy, healthy and contented with life. There may be times when I crave for worldly things, things that will vanish anytime but I try to get back on track. God gave me knowledge about what’s good and bad so I have to use it wisely.
God also blessed me with good and God-fearing friends. I never imagined that I would find these kind of people in UP but if it was meant for us to meet, then nothing else would matter. I got friends who believe that there is a good God because they also experience his goodness in their everyday lives. These are my most treasured valuables in this harsh world. We easily relate to each other because more or less we have the same goals in life. And that is to live and love life to the fullest by doing what is right. I can’t say that I’m sure of going to heaven but I know that I’m on the right track and I hope I won’t go astray. The road to heaven is narrow. I should fit in.
People still think that I’m sure of my gate pass to heaven because I’m a PK. I think it is our human instinct that is telling us that. But no one is really exempted. We stand equal in the eyes of our maker. It is just a matter on working our faith out. Isn’t it time to reflect on things like this?
I Thought She Knew
She has black hair and brown eyes. Her skin has the Asian touch. Her facial expression is so intimidating but I didn’t care. And her eyes were telling me to find out the roots of a mystery. I admire her very much because she keeps on telling me things I don’t even know and keeps me interested. I talk to her silently and laugh with her softly. I see her everyday even in my dreams! Although she doesn’t have friends, she introduces me to her different adventures beyond our imagination. I amuse myself with her peculiar choice of wardrobe and rare pair of shoes. She loves playing the flute and the melody she creates complete a story. We have so much in common. We enjoy the taste of bittersweet chocolates and we both like the scent of green apples. She brings me to places I’ve never been to. Once, she brought me to a grassy meadow with a lot of periwinkles and asters. And the cool breeze smelled so good and it touched my face and tickled my ears. I saw falcons and hawks but with harmless eyes. It was as if I was talking to them asking them if they could come and play with us. But the best part of it was when I touched the crystal clear blue water in the river and the felling was so good to be true. I thought of bringing her to my house but she said she couldn’t because she won’t fit in. I t made me sad so I went home. But before I could reach home, she asked me again to come with her and she assured me that I could get home safe and sound. She pleaded so I gave in. Under the tall tree which leaves changes its color, stood and old rose bush. She really knew what I wanted. I was fascinated and I felt like not coming home anymore. I danced with the wind while she was watching me until I fell asleep. I woke up beside my sister and never said a word until I was crying. I was frustrated. I wanted to go back to that place. I really enjoyed her company but I never knew who she was. I thought she was real. I just tried to cry but my tears were now tears of joy. I was happy because for once in my life, I delighted and enjoyed for a short time. I really wanted to believe in such things but I could not do anything. I was hopeless and futile. Dumbfounded could best describe what I feel. I guess I thought she knew that I believed in her. Now I’m caught between a daydream and a future ahead. I must move on. I have to and maybe I would really meet her in the future. I would love to.
Batch History
Over a thousand aspiring applicants try their chance in the most sought for High School Admission Test of the prestigious University of the Philippines High School in Cebu. But only seventy are worthy to be called Upians. It was in the month of June in the year 2002 when we entered the gates of UP. Everyone was a sea of strangers and we didn’t know what to expect.
Villamor and Bartlett were two different worlds. We hardly knew everyone in the batch. Most of us probably secluded ourselves with only those from our section. We lived our own lives. Good that we were headed right with dynamic class presidents. Bartlett was lead by the classy and cute Gabrielle Roxanne Cabunoc. Villamor had themselves their “Chairman”. From the on, Michael Angelo Joaquin was called Chairman. We were little angels; so naïve, sensitive and we followed every rule in the UP system including the passing of every circular that is circulated. It was a long year and we made it through. But not all had the opportunity to continue. Kit and John Saint didn’t make it with us.
Days went by so swiftly that we already became sophomores and we were now facing another year full of surprises. The feeling was the same. We didn’t know what to expect.
Benton and Palma were now our new homes. Villamor and Bartlett mixed up so we came to know new people and new lives. This year was different. If Villamor and Bartlett were different worlds, Benton and Palma were of different galaxies. Palma was more of the luckier galaxy because they got to win almost every contest over Benton. They were the more serious type of people who were very determined and diligent. Palma was headed by small but terrible Michelle Gudito. Benton, on the other hand, was childish, stubborn and carefree. It was the wackiest section of that year. They were headed by pretty but tough Yolike Alverio. But they didn’t give up. They also had dreams and goals. It just wasn’t that obvious. And so another unfathomable year passed but there were still some who had to say goodbye. Bea had to pursue her dreams outside the country. Brent finished his journey with us but he continued his studies outside UP High.
Then another year of anxiety awaited us. We were becoming ladies and gentlemen. Lo and behold the Banggiitang Juinors! We were back again and we’re bigger and better. Benton and Palma evolved to Bocobo and Sison. We were to adjust again to new attitudes because we were mixed for the third time. This has been a tradition for us. Bocobo was of the quiet people while Sison owned a barn full of noisy animals. But we also developed better minds and became more mature people so some of us were already into relationships. But this didn’t stop us from being young at heart. We still played the Pantintero. We were the only batch who patronized this game. Our batch also reached the competitive mode of life. We won quiz bowls and other contests against every year level in school. We discovered more of our hidden abilities and we can now afford to showcase our talents and skills. We can do singing, dancing, performing arts, writing, drawing and even painting an old bodega in just half-a-day. Through hardships and victories, we got to know each other more and established new and strong relationships with everyone. In the same year, we got to experience our first Junior and Senior Promenade. It was nerve-wracking because the pressure in preparing almost everything for the prom was on us. We were all together through our struggles; Trigonometry, Physics, Art Appreciation, and Research. And we safely sailed on but left Robert. He couldn’t make it with us.
And the next thing we knew was that we were facing our final but best year. We don’t want to take it but it leaves us no choice. We have to grow and move on. Gonzalez and Tan were not of different things or places anymore. We don’t care that much about our sections. All we knew was that we’re all in this together. We share the same chuckles and tears. We experience the same tension with our research papers. We share the same love.
We had the best victory we always wanted when we won as the overall champion during our Intramurals. It was a very big accomplishment for us because we sweated our butts out there and we did our very best to enjoy everything this last year could offer us. These would probably be the most unforgettable moments of our lives-our high school days.
God has been so good to all of us and thanks to him we met each other.
They may be hot but we’re extra hot.
Villamor and Bartlett were two different worlds. We hardly knew everyone in the batch. Most of us probably secluded ourselves with only those from our section. We lived our own lives. Good that we were headed right with dynamic class presidents. Bartlett was lead by the classy and cute Gabrielle Roxanne Cabunoc. Villamor had themselves their “Chairman”. From the on, Michael Angelo Joaquin was called Chairman. We were little angels; so naïve, sensitive and we followed every rule in the UP system including the passing of every circular that is circulated. It was a long year and we made it through. But not all had the opportunity to continue. Kit and John Saint didn’t make it with us.
Days went by so swiftly that we already became sophomores and we were now facing another year full of surprises. The feeling was the same. We didn’t know what to expect.
Benton and Palma were now our new homes. Villamor and Bartlett mixed up so we came to know new people and new lives. This year was different. If Villamor and Bartlett were different worlds, Benton and Palma were of different galaxies. Palma was more of the luckier galaxy because they got to win almost every contest over Benton. They were the more serious type of people who were very determined and diligent. Palma was headed by small but terrible Michelle Gudito. Benton, on the other hand, was childish, stubborn and carefree. It was the wackiest section of that year. They were headed by pretty but tough Yolike Alverio. But they didn’t give up. They also had dreams and goals. It just wasn’t that obvious. And so another unfathomable year passed but there were still some who had to say goodbye. Bea had to pursue her dreams outside the country. Brent finished his journey with us but he continued his studies outside UP High.
Then another year of anxiety awaited us. We were becoming ladies and gentlemen. Lo and behold the Banggiitang Juinors! We were back again and we’re bigger and better. Benton and Palma evolved to Bocobo and Sison. We were to adjust again to new attitudes because we were mixed for the third time. This has been a tradition for us. Bocobo was of the quiet people while Sison owned a barn full of noisy animals. But we also developed better minds and became more mature people so some of us were already into relationships. But this didn’t stop us from being young at heart. We still played the Pantintero. We were the only batch who patronized this game. Our batch also reached the competitive mode of life. We won quiz bowls and other contests against every year level in school. We discovered more of our hidden abilities and we can now afford to showcase our talents and skills. We can do singing, dancing, performing arts, writing, drawing and even painting an old bodega in just half-a-day. Through hardships and victories, we got to know each other more and established new and strong relationships with everyone. In the same year, we got to experience our first Junior and Senior Promenade. It was nerve-wracking because the pressure in preparing almost everything for the prom was on us. We were all together through our struggles; Trigonometry, Physics, Art Appreciation, and Research. And we safely sailed on but left Robert. He couldn’t make it with us.
And the next thing we knew was that we were facing our final but best year. We don’t want to take it but it leaves us no choice. We have to grow and move on. Gonzalez and Tan were not of different things or places anymore. We don’t care that much about our sections. All we knew was that we’re all in this together. We share the same chuckles and tears. We experience the same tension with our research papers. We share the same love.
We had the best victory we always wanted when we won as the overall champion during our Intramurals. It was a very big accomplishment for us because we sweated our butts out there and we did our very best to enjoy everything this last year could offer us. These would probably be the most unforgettable moments of our lives-our high school days.
God has been so good to all of us and thanks to him we met each other.
They may be hot but we’re extra hot.
Aiken
I was browsing over a book when I came across a unique name. I didn’t know what made me take a glimpse at that name. It just caught my eye. Aiken. Hey, I think it’s cute. I fancy saying it and even writing it. Aiken. That’s great! I just created something from nothing. But I thought that Aiken needed an owner-someone who will really be worth the name. One day, I realized that I just gave Aiken to its first owner. I was happy and contented at that time. I knew that Aiken was in good hands. And since I love the name, I then learned to however love its new owner for making me feel happy at certain times. Now it means someone who makes me happy! But the day came when Aiken started to show me that he never deserved that name and that I was that stupid to give away Aiken. I just came to realize that he never understood the meaning of the name. Out of frustration, I really shouted at him. But he just stared at me and walked away. So I cursed the day I gave him that name. Now the name needs a new owner. That would be another special someone who would really be worth the name. I will find him and I won’t give up. I’m still 14 and I’ve got a lot of time to discover who that someone would be. Time will tell but I’ll be waiting…
This is what I wrote two years ago. Mushy huh? I was fourteen then guys and I didn’t know what I really wanted in life so please bear with me. I just met someone who made me hate anything that makes me feel appreciated. I get annoyed when people appreciate me for like this and like that. I don’t know why but I don’t believe in all of them. I choose only those who I can trust. Insecurity, people might say. So what? I just knew it was stupidity! It probably made me close my mind and heart. I cover up with all those crushes and numerous cute guys I tell my friends but they all suck! Man-hater? No. In fact I have a lot of boy friends. It’s just that I don’t easily trust boys that much. But even if two years had already passed, I still feel the same. I hate it. Nevertheless, I still want to look for that someone who will understand what Aiken really means. I know that he, she, or it is just out there. And like what I wrote, I’m more than willing to be waiting.
And how about if I tell you I found that someone?
This is what I wrote two years ago. Mushy huh? I was fourteen then guys and I didn’t know what I really wanted in life so please bear with me. I just met someone who made me hate anything that makes me feel appreciated. I get annoyed when people appreciate me for like this and like that. I don’t know why but I don’t believe in all of them. I choose only those who I can trust. Insecurity, people might say. So what? I just knew it was stupidity! It probably made me close my mind and heart. I cover up with all those crushes and numerous cute guys I tell my friends but they all suck! Man-hater? No. In fact I have a lot of boy friends. It’s just that I don’t easily trust boys that much. But even if two years had already passed, I still feel the same. I hate it. Nevertheless, I still want to look for that someone who will understand what Aiken really means. I know that he, she, or it is just out there. And like what I wrote, I’m more than willing to be waiting.
And how about if I tell you I found that someone?
Sunday, January 21, 2007
A Week Long Movie Marathon
Have you heard of a mad house who feeds on anything that land on her lawn? How about a raccoon that will do everything just to pay back the goods he stole from an angry bear? Well, if you don't know anything about what I'm talking about just go on reading.
A family friend lent us an 8-in-1 DVD last week. My sisters were so excited about it but it was bad news for me. It was examination week and I knew that I will never get a hold of those goodies. So I left the room with a pouting face. Fortunately, my beloved father noticed his pouting daughter that he shouted across the room. "Kids, why don't you watch those movies when ate is free so that everyone can watch.” My heart leaped for joy! I knew papa would say that. It would be very rewarding for me especially that I study six hours a day of that week.
It was a Monday and everyone was at home because it was still part of the ASEAN holidays. It was a great time to start the week long movie marathon. And we started off with Monster House.
DJ was spying on Mr. Nebercracker’s house since the first day when something landed on his lawn because everything that landed on Mr. Nebercracker’s lawn is as good as dead. Why? Let’s find out! Chowder, DJ’s best friend, was playing basketball when it rolled down across the street and landed on Mr. Nebercracker’s lawn. They both tried to recover it but Mr. Nebercracker came out of the spooky house and ran after them. DJ accidentally killed Mr. Nebercracker while the creepy old man was scolding him. This made the house really mad! So DJ and Chowder tried to find out what is really going on. With the help of Jenny, the trio unlocked the secrets of the mad house just before trick or treat. You should watch this movie and learn about Constance. Who is Constance? I won’t tell you!
After Monster House our family treated ourselves with Superman Returns. I think everyone knows about Superman so all I can say is that the new Clark Kent (played by Brandon Routh) is so cute and Superman is out to save the world again. I just love guys on glasses. Ask April Mae Gamboa why.
And so another day passed and the next thing I knew was that I was watching Over the Hedge. RJ, a city-oriented raccoon, steals a red wagon, a blue Coleman and tons of goods from an angry mountain bear named Vincent. RJ has until full moon to collect everything he stole from Vincent. His target is the city. But he can’t do it alone. So he fools a group of country animals to get the goods for him. That includes a turtle, a squirrel, a skunk, a family of porcupines and a father-and-daughter possum tandem. Find out how they manage to get all those stuff and see why family really matters. Trivia: Avril Lavigne is the voice behind Heather, the smaller possum.
Yup! You might be thinking that I’m doing trailers of these movies. And I’m close to doing that. But I tell you, these are nice movies with values. Other movies on the DVD were Cars, The Wild, Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man’s Chest, Garfield: A Tale of Two Kittens, and The Possessed. Well, that just sums it up to the fact that I really love movies and Jack Sparrow. And by the way, just a friendly advice; never go for pirated CD’s.Note:I did my six-hours-a-day study period!
A family friend lent us an 8-in-1 DVD last week. My sisters were so excited about it but it was bad news for me. It was examination week and I knew that I will never get a hold of those goodies. So I left the room with a pouting face. Fortunately, my beloved father noticed his pouting daughter that he shouted across the room. "Kids, why don't you watch those movies when ate is free so that everyone can watch.” My heart leaped for joy! I knew papa would say that. It would be very rewarding for me especially that I study six hours a day of that week.
It was a Monday and everyone was at home because it was still part of the ASEAN holidays. It was a great time to start the week long movie marathon. And we started off with Monster House.
DJ was spying on Mr. Nebercracker’s house since the first day when something landed on his lawn because everything that landed on Mr. Nebercracker’s lawn is as good as dead. Why? Let’s find out! Chowder, DJ’s best friend, was playing basketball when it rolled down across the street and landed on Mr. Nebercracker’s lawn. They both tried to recover it but Mr. Nebercracker came out of the spooky house and ran after them. DJ accidentally killed Mr. Nebercracker while the creepy old man was scolding him. This made the house really mad! So DJ and Chowder tried to find out what is really going on. With the help of Jenny, the trio unlocked the secrets of the mad house just before trick or treat. You should watch this movie and learn about Constance. Who is Constance? I won’t tell you!
After Monster House our family treated ourselves with Superman Returns. I think everyone knows about Superman so all I can say is that the new Clark Kent (played by Brandon Routh) is so cute and Superman is out to save the world again. I just love guys on glasses. Ask April Mae Gamboa why.
And so another day passed and the next thing I knew was that I was watching Over the Hedge. RJ, a city-oriented raccoon, steals a red wagon, a blue Coleman and tons of goods from an angry mountain bear named Vincent. RJ has until full moon to collect everything he stole from Vincent. His target is the city. But he can’t do it alone. So he fools a group of country animals to get the goods for him. That includes a turtle, a squirrel, a skunk, a family of porcupines and a father-and-daughter possum tandem. Find out how they manage to get all those stuff and see why family really matters. Trivia: Avril Lavigne is the voice behind Heather, the smaller possum.
Yup! You might be thinking that I’m doing trailers of these movies. And I’m close to doing that. But I tell you, these are nice movies with values. Other movies on the DVD were Cars, The Wild, Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man’s Chest, Garfield: A Tale of Two Kittens, and The Possessed. Well, that just sums it up to the fact that I really love movies and Jack Sparrow. And by the way, just a friendly advice; never go for pirated CD’s.Note:I did my six-hours-a-day study period!
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