Nostalgia Fit [Elementary days]

I studied in a very small private school at Bulihan, Silang, Cavite (note: we are really are far from Silang proper. Dasmarinas, GMA, Carmona are way nearer to us. I really have a hard time explaining where I live because when I say Silang people think we are near Tagaytay and some wonder why I ride a jeep going to GMA,well my barangay is just in front of GMA sandwiched between Dasma and Carmona. The name of the school is Risen Christ Catholic School (RCCS). Sounds Fancy? To be honest my school was not that good. We have no library, clinic, school publication, gymnasium, auditorium,laboratories,clubs (except the student council) and other facilities that is needed. RCCS rarely joins inter school competitions.Our school is just made up of two buildings,the other one during my time was not that completely furnished because the third floor rooms was not painted and had no doors! (Thank God I never had a homeroom there).Our school is also known as Simbahan since before the construction of the buildings. the school was located near the church (Risen Christ Parish) but the name sticked. Incidentally there are other schools in my place with weird nicknames. There are two public elementary schools adjacent each other, one is named Bagong Buhay Elem School the other BSSPES (I forgot the meaning).Their nicknames are "Bago" and 'Luma" The public highschool was previously known as, well 'high school", but later on it became "Annex". So if your new in my place I know you will find it weird when you ask someone where s/he studies and their response will be "simbahan", "bago", "luma" and "highschool/annex". Anyways, back to my RCCS reminiscing, I studied there for 10 years (grade one-4th year).I did not enter pre school because I refuse to be away from home but my mother "forced" me to finally enroll but straight to elementary na since if I became a preschooler first I will be behind since its already late when I started studying. Due to some shock I felt with the new environment, I did poor during the first grading, all my grades were 80 below (but no failing mark). But my mother strive to teach me and later on I had good grades. I even entered the top 10 list on the succeding grading periods but was disqualified to be part of the final top10 come recognition due to my poor first grading performance. But i had a pa consuelo award (Most Diligent). The succeding years I became a consistent honor student (gr.2- top 6,gr.3 and 4, top4). In fifth grade we had a star section (before we did not have and the ranking of the honor students were done per section not the over all batch) and I faced stiff competition but one good thing about it that it did not become personal. I experienced sharing the 10th post with two other people during the first grading then i jumped to 4th the next grading and maintained it the next grading but for the final list I ended up at no.5. During that year the honor's list was comprised of 23 students and every grading the rankings changed,the only one who was not defeated was the top 1 (actually that guy hold that place for 10 years!). The next year, grade 6, the old system came back (the honor students were split up) but it was a bit unfair,in the end I ranked 8th (6th honorable mention).I was surprised with the result and I knew something was wrong. Hindi sa pagyayabang But I knew how I performed in class and I did not think I will end up being 8th.I found out that my other classmates shares the same feeling that something was wrong. But we did not do anything, we were just kids....

In elementary, I love to play but later on because of my asthma attacks I was just confined with just observing them. Although I still play but I restrict my self from playing strenous stuff like habulan and taya tayaan. Teks, jolens,scrabble, dampa those are the stuff that I play.

Despite my 'nerdy' personality I was not really a bully's target. I don't know why...

I love going to school because that is the only place where I have friends.

To sum this up, my childhood is a bit unusual. I'm such a studious, grade-conscious kid back then. But in academics I feel happy because that is the only thing I excel on.

Four Reasons Why I am Happy Today

• After weeks of delay the second issue of Heraldo Filipino was released today [see entry below].
  
• I received my HF evaluation and I'm pleased with the outcome. Thank you team 22 for the trust and the kind words you've written in the comments. I will strive even more in performing my responsibility.
• The second draft of our thesis was also released today and it only had a few stuff for us to fix. Sir Artin added that if our thesis adviser is satisfied with the third draft, we could now be scheduled for defense. And I believe we are nearing closer since before we submitted our draft 2, our thesis adviser told us that our thesis is already okay. I'm nervous for the defense but I could not wait any longer. Wish us luck.
• So far I love my subjects this sem because we have the two of the best professors in DLSU-D teaching us. Sir Roel Ramirez, APR for Cross Cultural Communication and Dr. Ricardo "RS" Santiago for Professional Ethics in Media. They are the type of professors that really challenges the students to be the best that they can be. I'm so looking forward attending their classes

Finally

After weeks of delay the second issue of Heraldo Filipino was released today. So far the feedbacks we've been receiving are generally good.It really feels good whenever I see a student reading HF. Weeks of hard work paid off. Next week La Salleno magazine will be out and it is all about ENVIRONMENT.

Here is the frontpage for the second issue of HF:



This is the 6th page where I have my column:

Realization

We had our OJT orientation earlier today. And well reality kick in for me. We have to complete 200 hours. And well we could start in two to three weeks, there are just documents needed to be taken care of. Well, as expected, I'm nervous and excited. Worried because on how I will be able to manage and cope this sem, 2nd sem is fast paced compared to the first sem, so there is a limited time for so many things to do. I'm talking about HF stuff, this sem there 2 contests we will organize, 3 more issues of the broadsheet, 1 issue each for LS,Just Play, Alipato,Palad and Decreto. All should be finished and released within this sem.
Oh and There is still the nerve wracking thesis saga. And I'm kinda guilty because this week I'm not being productive. Must get back to work mode.There is no more room for "pa easy easy" lifestyle.

The Start of the End

Tomorrow is the start of the second semester. I only have four subjects left plus OJT and thesis defense. Only a few months left before I graduate. I will make the most out of it. This will be a nerve wracking semester. I just hope come tomorrow we will have schedule for thesis defense already or notice if we need a draft 3. The waiting is killing me. I want to move on with my 2nd sem subjects already. But the past [aka thesis] is still haunting us.
I have not made any move regarding my OJT, the semestral break for me was so busy with HF duties and thesis revision. Plus, our department will have an orientation first, but they did not announce when? Hopefully tomorrow, everything will be cleared to us already.
The final semester and for the nth time how time flies...

Pathetic Drama

I love my family, but I just could not stand what's happening right now. I'm irked with my older siblings, for pete's sake they are now in their late 20s but they haven't matured. Yes, they have jobs but I still feel nothing have changed, my brother's salary for example is manage by mother, could not blame my mother though since my brother does not handle money properly. But then again my brother should prove to my parents he could do it, he could be independent. But I guess he is not ready yet. But when will he be ready? My sister, our eldest, lately I'm annoyed with her. I salute her hardwork and her being madiskarte but lately she is acting like a brat. Right now there is a drama in the house because of her. She got tampo with Tatay because Tatay was cold to her earlier in the morning, Tatay's reason is valid, he asked something from my sister but she did not do it. I also understand that Tatay is sometimes annoying when is angry to us because he does not scold us or confront us personally but instead he would text us very hurtful words. I experienced that too, but I don't make a scene thus creating a bigger problem. That is what my sister is doing right now. What a drama queen! She should act her age. Add to that Nanay's nagging who does not help because she would just find people to blame. She is worried, i know and she releases that through nagging even if her sermons does not make any sense.
I'm so annoyed right now!I'm sorry if I am releasing it through this. I just want to let it is out!

Gawad Abdul: Halloween Edition

Gawad Abdul is the Heraldo Filipino Awards Night which happens every Midyear and/or Yearend Workshop of HF . [By the way, in case you're curious Abdul is our mascot, he is a dog which symbolizes watchdog]. To spice up Gawad Abdul for this year's midyear workshop we decided to have the theme of Halloween and it was fun, because a lot of the staffers really dressed up. I failed to mention in my previous post that we also awarded BEST COSTUME, it was won by an art staffer, Ella. This is how she looked like:

Actually, nag-effort talaga ang art section sa costume, just look at them:



To see more Gawad Abdul pictures, click here

The Art staff and Photographer Andrew were really in Halloween Mode that night and took more pictures and the results were really amazing. Here is a sample:



See more pictures at Andrew's Multiply account

The Midyear

I'm back from Heraldo Filipino's Midyear Workshop. Thank God, it did not rain! It was really fun. I'm glad that 90% of the HF Team 22 members were present. Previous workshops, only half or even less of it attended. So this midyear is a breakthrough. We also saved money because we opted to cook our meals than have catering services. Each section who were assigned to cook was able to save money. Plus, the cooking session is some sort of teambuilding for them too.
We had our teambuilding first, click here to see the how it was played out. We had our Gawad Abdul later that night. The Gawad Abdul is the HF Awards night, it has two parts, the goof awards and the serious awards. Our theme for that night was Holloween, so everyone wore a costume. I also asked each section to have a presentation.The Graphics and Photo sections did an "interpretative" dance, the News section [an all girl team] danced Lady Marmalade, The literary section, living up to their nature, did a skit, Sports section "exercised" to the tune of the DLSU hymn, and the Art section spoofed the Editorial Board which was hilarious that actually resulted for them to win the BEST PRESENTATION. The Features section beg off since the feat ed told me that they were too exhausted from cooking the dinner. We had 20 goof awards, some popular awards were the Senior Citizen award for the oldest HF member[Gino from Graphics edged out Ros from Art by a month, he is 23 yrs. old), HF is my Home award for the staffer who had the most number of residency hours [Mica from Sports won, 500 plus hours) and Talipandas ng taon [Talipandas is an inside joke at HF, Paul from Features won).]. After the goof awards we announced the promoted staffers. 3 apprentices were promoted to Junior Staff status while 7 staffers were promoted to Senior Staff status. And the highlight of the night were the recognition of exemplary HF members. Here are the winners:

Outstanding Section: Literary
Outstanding Section Editor: Patricia Cruz, News
Outstanding Staff: Michaela Grimaldo, Sports
Most Promising News Writer: Rubilyn Valdez
Most Promising Features Writer: Millicent Andres
Most Promising Sports Writer: Luis Olitoquit [unfortunately he did not attend the midyear workshop]
Most Promising Literary Writer: Patrick Quintos
Most Promising Artist: Jumel Estranero
Most Promising Photographer: Andrew Tadalan
Most Promising Graphic Artist: Geronimo Santiago

I was happy to see the smiles of the people above as they received their certificates of recognition. I really hope this will even inspire them to be the best that they can be.
I told the staffers who were not promoted nor received an award not to be disheartened but instead strive more and their time will come.

As for the rest of the workshop, there were lots of bonding moments from playing games, swimming [not me though], videoke [yeah, i sang haha] and lots of kwentuhan sessions. I'm glad to see some of the shy staffers were able to come out from their shell.

It was a memorable workshop. I'm glad it went smoothly. I'm kinda emotional since the Midyear workshop signals the end of the first semester and the start of the 2nd [and my last] semester with HF.

I just could not believe how time flies. The midyear workshop that I attended during my first year with HF is still fresh in my memory and now I was the one who facilitated it.

I guess, I should stop here before I get too nostalgic.

Stop the rain!

It's raining cats and dogs right now! NOOOOO! If this continue it might mess up with our Midyear workshop. Dear Lord,please do not let this be a typhoon. We could not afford to cancel the workshop. We could not. It will be a big problem. BIG! Please cooperate Dear Mother Nature.
I'm so friggin worried. I could not imagine the consequences if the midyear will be canceled because of the rain. Oh no. Please don't rain anymore. Please stop. Please.

Midyear Madness

HF's Midyear Workshop is on Oct. 29- 30 and as expected preparing this is not hassle free.I will not expound anymore but this is one tough job. I want the midyear to be a success. I'm excited and nervous! I'm preparing myself with the problems that may come. I really hope the workshop will run smoothly. The Midyear Workshop signals that start of the 2nd semester and my last one at that. The first sem was very challenging but I survived. But the 2nd semester will be tougher, more publications to be released plus I will have my OJT. Wheew....time flies.

Boo!

Erap received a pardon. I'm not pleased but not surprised, I saw it coming.
Enough said.

***

With this, news on the Glorietta bombing took a backseat and I'm afraid it could be forgotten and the attention will be all about Erap, portraying him as a "hero". Whatever.

***

Some of my family members sympathizes with Erap. Not a long ago we hated him. Now,I guess I'm alone.

Currently Listening

I'm no music expert, I'm just a casual listener. My music genre: Pop/Mainstream radio

My Current Favorite songs (in order)

1. Apologize-Timbaland feat. One Republic
2. Walang Misteryo- Imago
3. Never let her slip awy- The Bloomfields
4. How far we've come- Matchbox Twenty
5. Wag ka nang umiyak-Sugarfree
6. Gotta go my own way-Nikki Gil
7. Jenny-The Click 5
8. Sala-Pupil
9. Hate that I love you- Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo
10. Love will lead you back-Kyla

Jubilant

I am so happy that my thesis is seeing light. I finally interviewed an executive from Studio 23. You know, that is the remaining link for the revision of my thesis. And it was not easy to set an appointment, it took me a month to get a schedule. I was already worried yesterday and when Studio 23 called me informing me of the schedule, i want to cry (OA haha). Ok, that's all for now, I just took a break from revising my thesis.

Feeling Better

Today I'm glad I was able to fix already all the financial stuff needed for the UNIGAMES coverage in Bacolod and the INKBLOTS seminar in UST. What a relief. Also, the layout for HF2 is almost finished. Just one page not yet laid out [doodles]. But I already printed the galley for proofreading. I will be very careful and observant this time because last issue we committed a HUGE error, our issue was dated June-July 2006 in the front page, instead of 2007! Although in the succeeding pages, 2007 was printed. Still, an embarrassing boo-boo
On Monday,I will go to DLSU-Manila to attend a meeting with my fellow Lasallian campus journalists. Well, its passing the torch sort of, as we will talk about La Sallian Schools Press Conference (LSPCON) in University of St. La Salle,Bacolod next year, Time flies, it was just a few months ago when we were going gaga and very nervous about LSPCON because this is a big event.But I'm glad we pulled it off and we got glowing reviews. It is now Bacolod's turn.

****

The Glorietta bombing is very tragic. May God Bless the souls of those who passed away.And whoever did this, will pay. I'm very sure of that.

Uneasy

I don't feel comfortable lately.My head is full of so many things to do. Yeah, stress is kicking in.
Stress on a sembreak, haha. Earlier, I lost my cool in the HF staff meeting. It was not supposed to happen, I began the meeting in a happy mood, I was talking about some details on the Midyear workshop on Oct.29-30. This midyear instead of ordering food, we decided to assign each section to cook. We will give them a budget for that then some of the people began yapping that they should have a larget budget blah blah and we announced that they should only buy on stores that gave valid receipts more complaints came in. That's when I lost my cool, Yeah I know that buying in Palengke will be cheaper, but hey the money they wil use come from the HF trust fund, and everything we spend should be reported to the accounting and of course that's where the "receipts" play the role. I told them that managing finance in HF is friggin hard, it is so complicated. The reason I want them to do this for them to experience how it is to manage the fund and be responsible. To appreciate more that being an editor is not just about writing and editing, there is more into that. I told them to be resourceful, creative and be industrious. Man, am I being too ambitious? I was having doubts if this"staffers-preparing-the-meals" idea is a good one. I hope it is.

The second issue of HF is so delayed. It was supposed to be out this month but it will pushed till November. I'm disappointed. Could I be one of the worst EICs HF ever had? But I don't want to have my spirits go down. I will do better next sem.

Academics? Just doin fine. Got my grades today, not complete though since some professors did not pass their grades on time. I got two 3.75 and one 3.50. (4 is the highest mark in DLSU-D). I'm waiting for two more grades and I believe I did well on the two.
Grades for thesis is obviously on hold since that subject is extended til next sem.Not entirely our fault, even though that's what I feel they have been rubbing into our faces. They say we are poor research writers but let me just say that isn't it weird that ALL senior students in my department have "poor research writing" skills? I know we have our flaws but for us to take all the blame? That is unfair.

Sorry with the rants. I just want to release this things bothering me.

Saying Goodbye

What a dramatic title. But actually I'm just refering to GILMORE GIRLS which will air its last episode tomorrow, 8:30 pm on Studio 23 [it ended last May in US]. Seven seasons [seven years] of watching this TV show, I'm sort of attached with this show already.One of my all time favorite American shows. Some people think this show is for girls only. But not really, yeah the shows really skews the female demographic but the writing of this show is really good and witty and once you watch this show regularly you will fall in love with it regardless of gender and age. But I admit the first three seasons were the prime of the show because the later seasons dwindled [especially season 6 and the first half of season 7]. Still, the thought of no longer seeing a new episode of GG will be really different for me.Oh well, the show had a good run
, Bon Voyage Lorelai and Rory!

Sembreak?

I will have my last exam tomorrow, normally it will signal the end of the sem and the start of the sem break. But not for me. For sure I'll be busy during the sembreak. Not that i'm complaining. When I was a freshmen, just an ordinary student, I was bored to death during those weeks. Of course when I joined Heraldo Filipino, I kiss sem break goodye. Not that I was forced too. I remember going to the HF office during the sembreak even though all my articles are already ok or I don't really have an assignment, I just love being at the office and finding a thing to do. Well, this sem break, will not just be about HF duties [and there are lot pending you know] but also for acads. Well, the thesis. Working on the draft 2. I hate to admit that I'm not doing good on working on it so far. Yeah, I am being lousy. Damn, I need to get my act together so I could finish it already.
And there are also HF duties I need to work on. Early today, I'm happy that I was able to finish 4 documents for HF. I kinda like writing proposals for the different HF activities [including the problems that arises when preparing one] and the feeling when those papers are approved is a GREAT feeling especially when I overcome an obstacle. I'm so glad we will have a MidYear Workshop, we did not have last year which was sad because my first Midyear Workshop two years ago was one of my unforgettable HF memories. I hope this coming Midyear Workshop will be great.
Another nostalgic moment for me was when I was writing the Inkblots seminar proposal, two years ago I was the one chosen to attend that and now I'm the one preparing it. Honestly, i want to attend the Inkblots 2007but of course I want my staff more to be there than me. Besides, i'll be too busy to this sem break.

So basically, I don't really have a sem "break". But I'm happy.

Hell Week

Tomorrow is the start of the "hell" week. So many things needed to be accomplish this week for my subjects. Actually, it already started a week ago but it was just the primer if you get what I mean. It's hard to balance things, and allot equal time and attention on all the projects pending. In some tasks I'm already delayed and there are things that I need to do but I do not know how to squeeze it in. Hard. hard. hard. I just hope this week will run smoothly.

Mission Accomplished

Today I interviewed Henry Omaga Diaz of ABS CBN for a school project under sir Jun Del Rosario's class. We haven't had hard time scheduling a interview with sir Henry becuause Sir Jun was the one who actually helped us get an appointment. We did not expect Sir Jun to do that we just asked him if he knows how to contact Mr. Henry Omaga Diaz since they are former co workers and right then he picked up his cell phone and called Mr. Henry and scheduled us an interview. He also helped the other group who will interview Gus Abelgus.
We almost failed to interview Mr. Henry because the guard over at ABS CBN is giving us a hard time good thing though Kate [from the Gus Abelgus group] contacted Sir Jun and asked for help and he asked us to give the phone to the guard and-alas- we were let in. Sir Jun was a big help.
We waited for a while at the ABS CBN newsroom, and right there I could really feel the tension and stress, well it was almost 5 pm that time and the news people were busy obviously for TV Patrol.
We were called up and proceeded to the News and Current Affairs office to meet Sir Henry. He was nice and very accommodating to us. I felt at ease while interviewing him. Our topic was about the use of hidden cameras in Investigative Journalism. I learned a lot from him.
I'm glad we finished one of so many tasks ahead. This will be a stressful last few weeks of the semester. Wish me luck that I could accomplish successfully all the assignments knocking on my door.

Welcome Back

After a month of hiatus, thesis is back. Oh well, our draft one got a poor grade
Draft two is due on October 5. A consolation though is that the chapter 4 has no big problems. That chapter is very vital. We have a weak chapter 2. Need to focus once more to meet the deadline. We need to pass a 95% better output this time.

****
For three days, I became a student administrator for Students' Week. I became the Student Publications Office Director. I had fun though of course there were problems I have to handle but hey I'm with Heraldo Filipino, so facing stress is nothing new hehe.

***

Two weeks left for regular class this sem. Once more, how time flies. I'm now loaded with so many school projects, two documentaries, one exhibit for our educational broadcasting, thesis (see above). Plus press work for the second issue of HF and first issue of LS.

***

As the sem draws to a close, I'm evaluating myself. How was I as student? as EIC of HF?
I think I did fine but not that great as I hope I would become.