Once again once more, it’s that time of the trimester again when people stay up late finishing term papers, finishing projects that never seem to get done, and eyebags are the in-thing among Manila’s youth elite.

Yes people, it is that thing we call midterms and the week in which it resides that students oftentimes  come to acknowledge as the “midterms hellweek”.

For a school which more or less have 14 weeks allotted to a single trimester, finishing earlier than those who follow the more traditional semestral system does not necessarily mean we don’t have our fair share of problems that all college students share. What’s unique to CSB and probably those who also follow the trimestral school system is the fact that time is always of the essence.

Midterms in CSB comes around on the 7th week of the trimester and students are given notice of what they will expect when that time comes. In the case of MMA students, it’s easier said than done. Most of our classes require us to pass projects instead of written exams during the midterms and the finals, with some giving us a notice of what we should produced as early as the 3rd or 4th week while others give a heads up as late as the 5th or 6th week.

As mentioned before, “time” is definitely of the essence for many of us. More so that “time” is the branded enemy of MMAers. Imagine the weight of completing several projects at the same time, up to the point of actually doing them simultaneously.

Students don’t have the luxury of “time” where they could finish those tasks all in one sweep if given a long length of grace period to do them. It’s hard to beat a deadline if we have a few dozen other “deadlines” to worry about as well.

Despite the hatred, I know that the purpose of such is to determine our performance over the course of the term and that a significant percentage of our final grade comes fro whatever grade we get on it. The short amount of time given to accomplish projects also serves as our “training ground” to be hands on and be good on managing time. These are valid reasons why midterms even do exist but the cost that it brings are far greater: pressure, breakdowns, stress, insomnia. A lot of bad things actually do happen during this time.

The only means to survive this phase is to remember that finals is no different yet very much a  make-or-break for all of us. Knowing that we could manage this difficulty makes our life in college even more exciting.

After nearly four years in college, I know what I’m saying. Midterms can be a downer, but it can be our greatest helper as well.

 Kanina I was looking for Carol at AKIC to sign my papers for OJT. Her last text was to look for her at Chef’s Station-AKIC. I was there, feeling OP in a sea of people donning suits, ties, leather shoes and high heels.

I sensed something was wrong so I checked her last message again. Then I had the urge to change seats, and when I do, I actually turned around see who I was looking for. Heheh, how silly I am not to have noticed it before. 😀

It only means one thing: Miss ko na mag-AKIC.

Whoah, talk about having to mistake a person for someone else. Certainly it’s scary that it will happen to you if not for the simple failure of identifying someone correcgtly.

Last Saturday, I was getting ready for my graduation pictorial when I come across a fellow student whom I instantly presumed as someone I know personally. To be wholy honest, I haven’t seen him (a student of Interior Design) for quite a long while. I think the last time I saw him was way over a year ago when we bumped into each other at the SDA accounting office.

Naturally, I was happy that I see him again. Just as the make-up artist was done putting make-up on my face, I went ahead and talked to him.

“Uy, tagal na ah?”

“Huh?”

“Di mo ako naalala?”

“Uhm, sa’n ba tayo classmates?

“Sa [Cathwor]…”

“Ano iyung name mo?”

“James, di ba ikaw si…”

“Ah hindi hindi…Baka nagkakamali ka lang..”

“Wait…(looking at the person closely), ay sorry! Kala ko ikaw iyung kaibigan ko. Talagang magkamukha kasi kayo talaga eh”.

“Okay lang”

“Uhm, ano ba iyung course mo?”

“CDA”

“Ah….Iyung friend ko InD eh. Pasensya na talaga, ha?”

“Ayus lang iyon hehehe”

Surprise surprise: It wasn’t him after all. Well, what an embarassing moment it was hehehe. But even so, I can;t deny that he looks so much like him, a lot identical to the real thing. So when I checked my friend’s Facebook profile, he looks like exactly the guy I met at the pictorial, except to the hair though.

Such a mishap that could happen to everybody. Here’s to hoping it won’t happen again to me.

😀

In a matter of hours now, I’ll be leaving a country I called home for five days, a land of wonders surrounded by a body of water, a place where nosebleeding happens, at least for me.

To say it in a few words, this whole trip was worth the experience of being out of the country after so long a time and explore uncharted territory with a sense of adventure.

Of course, one reason why I went there in the first is to attend the annual CG Overdrive where students, enthusiasts and professionals in the field of animation, graphics, etc gather for the purpose of sharing to the rest of the world the latest in the aforementioned fields, the secrets of striving for gold, among others.

Another reason is that I want to widen my horizons, not just academic-wise but in terms of seeing things in a  different light. Being someone who’s favorite past-time is wandering around the streets of Metropolitan Manila from north to south and vice versa, I find it riveting on trying to explore through train, bus or simply walking the majesty that is Singapore.

Even though I only managed to check out only a third of the city-state, I made most of what I have in front of me to make it all worthwhile. I couldn’t exactly say I’m someone with a perfect sense of direction but still, getting lost sometimes is all part of the fun. I ended up going places like Orchard, Esplanade, the old Little India quarter, the strip malls found in almost every block and the thrift shops thats sells “3 for $10” (although I neded up buying 18 for $10). There was also a time that I was mistaken for either a Singapore local by a few tourists and they ask me to help them on how to use the state’s train ticketing system.

The Great Singapore Adventure would not be complete if without the help and guidance of the organizers from CGO headed by Mr. Daniel Koh and the people of G4 Station, the place that me and several other schoolmates from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde stayed for nearly a week. Without them, we wouldn’t be here in the first place, one for the trust we gave to the CGO organizers, for never letting us down despite the ups and downs especially during last year’s global bird flu brouhaha. Second for the patience, the friendliness, and, if ever there is such a word, the cheeriness of the G4 employees that made staying in their hostel a home-like experience (but not to the point of making it OUR home for life of course haha!)

I want to thank them from the further reaches of my heart for everything.

As we say in Filipino: “Hanggang sa uulitin!” [“Until it happens again!”]

Frosh Solidarity NIght 2007

Frosh Solidarity Night 2010

Last night was an event to remember, one that I could never forget. It was the annual Frosh Solidarity Night and everybody who’s anybody were there to enjoy this highlight for the 2010 Frosh Week.

I myself never expected that I would be a part of this year’s FSN. Miss Lanie from the Department of Student Life (the former the Office of Student Behavior) asked for members of the FOP Sessionistas to regroup for another round of kantahan in front of a live audience. Thus, I was able to reconnect with a lot of my co-Sessionistas like Marco, Harold, Abegail, Christine, RJ, Earl and a newcomer, Kim. Wacky and Gaby had to pull out because they’re also involved with FSN through other means. Eugene was also in conflict with his schedule so he wasn’t available as well.

No biggie, we all had fun, right? I even crossed paths again with Axe Girl Model #2, from Jeco’s Sexy 360 event, who was there in promotion for Axe Twist.

On the same day, I’ve finally met one of the ID110 Pexers who were previously active in ther CSB subforums at Pinoy Exchange during the run-in before the the start of the school year, Neil. I’m happy that I was able to share whatever I could to make the most of their tenure as Benildean.

But as with others, they should also learn the ups and downs of campus life themselves in order to survive and thrive in this crazy life that we call college.

Speaking of college life, when I started my first year in CSB, I had a lot fo dreams, many of which I wasn’t able to fulfill (i.e. join the TKD varsity, join the Pep Squad, join the student press corps, etc.) however what I managed to fulfill somehow made me feel that all the efforts I pulled in to do whatever I can to make my college life worthwhile had paid off. I was able to become a Frosh Orientor, meet a lot of new friends, I was able to sing (despite some small minor mishaps hehe), my OJT is being a part of the best radio team in the world, meeting my idol who inspired me to reach for the stars among others.

Reminiscing the events of June 1, 2007 when the then 107 froshes had their own FSN at the CSB theater, we had a lot of fun, singing along with featured acts like Kjwan, Itchyworms, and Callalily. Some of us made some TUGZ TUGZ onstage while some get to show their stuff walking on the runway.

I couldn’t believe that three years later, I get to relive the moment, and get re-experienced.

Hey guys! I still can’t get over this feeling I’m having for a while now. I’m anxious, nervous, and excited on leaving the country to spend five days spreading the love in Singapore. As I’ve said previously in my past Singapore-related blog that I’m excitred to fly off again after 7 years.

Let’s just say that my family isn’t that much rich to spend holidays on Hong Kong Disneyland or Universal Studios Florida. My parents are the ones who get to fly off often as it is a part of their jobs as government civil servants. I’m just lucky that I get to convince them to allow me to go abroad for a few days after last year’s mishap of a canceled trip no thanks to the AH1N1 scare.

Here’s to hoping nothing unfortunate happens today. In my case, not forgetting the single most important item for the trip. I have this hsitory of forgetting to bring certain things ahead of an important out-of-town trip and I end up getting a sinking feeling of regret for forgetting to do so. Right now, I’m bringing the following items necessary:

1. Pieces of clothing (Pants, Shorts, Shirts, Underwear)

2. Canned and “cupped” foods

3. Hygiene products (shaving cream, razor, toothpaste, shampoo, bar and laundry soap, etc)

4. Socks

5. Slippers

6. Reading materials (A Pugad Baboy book, and two Beerkada books)

7. Portable radio with headphones and emergency batteries

8. Camera and Battery Charger

9. Cellphone (my own phone and my mom’s phone with international roaming)

10. Pocket Money

11. Travel and other Important Documents (Passport, G4 reservation copy, CGO registration email, etc)

Did I miss anything?

I don’t know what Singapore has in store for me but I’ll make sure to make most of my trip and go home and make my school, my family, and my country proud. (Wow, serious!)

The first week of the school year has passed and the ID110 frosh seemed to have settled well within their new home for the next few years. Not much in the school has changed but what’s noticeable were the preparations for De La Salle Philippines’ centennial celebration kicking off this June 16.

What’s obvious a change though was upon entering the premises of the School of Design and Arts I noticed that all the labs and the classrooms now bears new room numbers.

“Odd…” is how I reacted. Usually some offices and facilities in the campus would move to new locations every few terms but not to the extent of changing the room numbers assigned to these new locations. In this case, looks like most if not all the rooms here have changed room numbers.

I have yet to explore all the floors but so far, in the 10th floor…the former comlab that was A1008 is now a classroom bearing the room number “A1011”. Right next, the sound lab used to be known as A1014 is now A1012.

I don’t know how much of the change would affect old students to the extent that confusion would wreck havoc in the long term but so far so good, not much negative reaction were reported as of this writing.

But I just have to remember some key room numbers: A916, A908, A1014, A1013 and A1008.

While checking some posts on the CSB subforums at Pinoy Exchange, I came across a post there saying that Jenny From The Taft had passed away. Several news coming into my facebook feed also confirmed what I feared is true. My reaction: Shocked, surprised, bewildered, saddened. It’s hard to believe that what many Benildeans, Lasallians and Scholasticans consider an institution in Taft Avenue, Manila.

For those who don’t Jenny, he (is he a she?) is a beggar who roams around Taft Avenue and is befriend by a generation of students coming from several Taft-based schools. His origins remain a mystery many, some believing she had siblings who studied in Ateneo, others say she came from Laguna but got lost and eventually ended up in Manila. When she isn’t in Taft, she is most likely roaming around Moonwalk doing odd jobs there.

Many are amazed of her incredible knowledge of the comings and going of every school in that side of Taft, he knows every school’s pre-enrollment, enlistment, school holidays, everything! They say that he even knows the day of your graduation. She cares about the students, even sharing them an umbrella with him. We return the favor by chatting with him and giving him alms. It’s a mortal sin that when you don’t give him alms, Jenny will punish you by kissing you smack into your face! LOL

It saddens me that the friend of every Lasallian, the brother/sister of every Benildean, and the gossiper of every Scholastican no longer lives in the land of the living but we know that he/she is now in a better place.

As I write this, there’s an ongoing wake happening right now at his place in Bacoor, Cavite. Anyone interested on attending and say their goodbye to Jenny can go to his tribute fanpage in Facebook to see the details.

Wherever he may be, he will always remain in our heart, FOREVER!

The past couple of weeks I’ve been doing some double checking over some small details in preparation for my upcoming trip to Singapore. I’m just so excited that finally, I’m going out of the country for the first time in 8 years and I’m crossing my fingers that nothing will jinx my trip to happiness!

Right now, I’m looking at some final details with regards to transport and hotel accomdation. Lance informed me not too long ago that he and some peeps booked a reservation for 8 at a hostel and they need just one more to share the cost altogether. It’s an opportunity that I have to take knowing that for the past few days, me and my mom have been searching for good hotels with value-for-value rates. There’s a couple of good ones but according to some online hotel booking websites, there’s no room available. There are those with good locations but have quite a bad reputation, if you know what I mean. There’s even a hotel that despite the good online reviews it got from some past visitors, we were concerned on some reviews saying that this certain place serves as a haven for prostitutes where they lurk at night.

Sure enough, I’m also in the look-out for some good shops that sell second-hand dSLR cameras that are Calle Hidalgo-cheap and not SM Megamall-cheap. The laptop and I-Pod nano will have to wait as I’m hell-bent on buying one before I could take my photography electives in my final two trimesters.

Ha, Singapore…I will love you if you love me back. Just bend me into your will!

As summer draws to a close, the school year opens with much anticipation that it won’t suck the way last year was for the Benildean student body. For some, it is the start of another year of academic pressure and long nights staring in front of the computer while for others, it’s a make-or-break call as they start spending the first of their final days in the academe.

Senior year, here I come.

Looking back, it’s hard to imagine that 4 years ago, I was merely starting out as a little boy fresh out of high school, trying to adjust commuting between home and school, and taking chances by signing up on one too many student orgs while trying to tame my DV1 blockmates as we wait for a class to start inside Room M506.

Fast forward to now, a new generation of froshes are taking center-stage as upperclassmen watch them over repeating history over and over again. I was lucky not being caught up on the freshmen frenzy as I only had one class for the entirety of the first day of school, NATSCA2/Environmental Factors in Design, at 6pm.

For the first three days of the school week, I basically have a 3-hour class set in the evening while the remaining 2 have one set in the afternoon and in the morning respectively. Despite the seemingly-not-so-hectic looking schedule I got for the first trimester, I expect hell to break loose as midterms fever kicks in in less than 7 weeks.

One thing that I should consider doing is time-management. As last term had already proven, whatever free time you have can only be spent doing projects nonstop given the limited resources I have to produce works and giving my full commitment on each and every one of whatever material is given to me.

But because this is already my senior year, I should really give my all on making sure that I finish the journey I started from the moment I first stepped into the halls of the College last May 28, 2007 until I walk out of the school graduating in 2011. I can’t give assurance that by the end of the current school (SY 2010-2011), I’m finally let loose.

But no matter what, I will end what I started and from there, I will start anew.