Tuesday, June 29, 2004
To Join or Not to Join
Major pain in the head!
"..to admit.. that I am not all that.."
Since the ORSEM tour, wherein the different orgs of the Ateneo presented, I have been thinking of joining the ADS(Ateneo Debating Society). But recently, as it is the Org Recruitment Week, I am having my apprehensions in joining.
Well, I'm not really sure what is keeping me from joining the org. It's not that I don't have the necessary faculties to join nor do I feel that I would stutter during the try-outs, it's just that I have high regards for myself and if ever I will join the ADS, there will come a point that I will have to admit to myself that I am not all that. Call me conceited or proud, but for me, the biggest reason why I am where I am right now is the confidence I have for myself. But maybe I'm just afraid of failure, rejection, criricism, and vulnerability to flaws. Thus, with these in mind, I am trying to figure out if I would join or not. And I better reach a decision before the week ends.
Speaking of mind-busting matters, we had our first of two Math 18 long tests this morning and man! I had a pretty hard time answering 8 mathematical questions. My guess is, I will only have a passing score for the exam. I am only hoping that a passing score would be good enough to keep me in the regular Math track, or else, I will have to go to the slow track wherein I will have to take the regular track during my second time. What a hassle!
On a higher note, I was able to figure out a very interesting puzzle called Petals Around the Rose. It's supposed to be a very difficult puzzle that has a very simple answer or should I say, way of finding the answer. Try it and you'll see what I mean.
For the meantime, I'll have to figure some things out for myself.
@ 
Monday, June 28, 2004
An Unforgettable Love Story
Something for the heart
The Notebook is the story of love found, lost, and found again. The plot is simple. There were these two teenagers who fell in love with each other on one fine summer day then, they were separated. Eventually years after, before the wedding of Allie (the girl who is now a woman), she set out to find him and when she did, old flames rekindled (WARNING!!! Sensual content.). But what they had for a couple of days is forbidden love thus, she had to make a choice.
"...sucker for love stories"
Nicholas Sparks masterfully transformed a simple story into an impeccable tale of unwavering passion and love. He is able to hit both the high and low notes of romance and even slips a few sensual hints along the way. Ladies, especially, will simply fall in love with the romantic and almost-the-perfect-guy-ishness character of Noah Calhoun.
Yes, the novel is quite mushy but what the heck, even a guy like me needs something romantic to digest from time to time. I may not fit it but I'm actually a sucker for love stories especially the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan type.
The novel may not be a fast paced thriller nor is it a novel about kid wizards but it certainly ranks as one of my favourites. This is the kind of stories that makes you want to fall in love and for those who are already in love, this only re-affirms that tingling sensation within you. The only problem is, it's a little short for the likes of me. Good thing it has a sequel and guess what, I bought it.
I give this book (out of 5):
Sunday, June 27, 2004
A Look at the Friday that Was
All hail the eagle!
Last Friday was a very eventful week for me. Eventful in the sense that I did so much on that day. For starters, I started my day by "trying" to fix my part of the room which is one of the greatest disasters of mankind. Frankly, after a couple of minutes of arranging my stuff, my territory looks tidier than it was before my "cleaning touch".
After I fixed my stuff, it was time to go to school. My watch read 9:15, 5 minutes before the first bell for my first class. As usual, the line in the trike terminal is not as short as I wanted it to, thus, I entered class a couple of minutes after the bell (no thanks to the rain). Good thing Miss Icasiano wasn't around. Instead, she texted my classmate Monique (oooohh!!!) that we should all go to the libe (Which way to the libe!? hahaha!!) to find this thing on the types of essay. Well, the whole class went into a foray because we don't know how to use that forsaken catalog in the computers and we can't find a single book which holds the answers to our needs. Good thing I have zealous classmates who just found ONE book that does contain something relevant. Unfortunately, I ended up writing my own defintion of the types of essay based on stock knowledge.
So the day dragged on with the familiar sights and sounds - Miss Prixie's bristled armpits, Sir Muga's sleep-inducing demeanor, and some good'ol block fun in between. My classes end at 1:30 and that means that I still have 3 hours to chafe before the Cheer Rally in the Blue Eagle Gym which I was required to attend by my PE prof. Thus, I decided to spend my time doing my service hours.
Oh yes, service hours. I was credited with five hours of work by doing three hours of putting application forms into at least 250 envelops, trollying boxes filled with our (as in the freshies') transcripts (4th year report cards) from the OAA to the Registrar's Office in Bellarmine, chronologically re-arranging hundreds of receipts, and grouping documents in stacks of hundreds. After all the work has been done, I felt as if I already did 10 hours of service hours. Good thing they gave me 2 hours worth of bonus time. Then, it's cheer rall time!
Inside the Blue Eagle gym, I sat at awe at how old and shabby the gym was. Take note, the Blue Eagle gym is the oldest building in the whole of ADMU and the roofs just don't know how to hide its age. The Cheer Rally started off with a funny video where this guy was rejected by all the varsity teams and was accepted by the Blue Babble Battalion - the machismo pep squad of the university. Afterwards is the entrance of the Team Ateneo. Then, a number from the ADMU cheering squad followed by a couple of cheers from the Babble coupled with the oh-so invigorating band.
A basketball game followed the cheer rally. It was a game with the Ateneo team versus the Ateneo Legends - past players of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The Legends included Quimpo, Jojo Lastimosa (girls shriek), Richie Ticzon (more girls shriek), Wesley Gonzales (every girl shrieks), and Olsen Rasela (the whole gym shrieks). The Ateneo Blue Eagles have their fair share of the shrieking babes specially at the entrance of L.A. Tenorio and my man Larry Fonacier. At last, my first game inside the Blue Eagle Gym.
I was really rooting for the Ateneo team because of Fonacier. At first, I thought the game would be all slob because it's just an exebition game and all but during the first half, the Blue Eagles meant business. The Legends were a little bit rusty except for main man Gonzales which I think is just one big chambalero. Well, the first half ended with the Blue Eagles leading. The half-time show features boys from the Ateneo Elementary School with their own version of the Blue Babble Battalion. And man! With the jackets, the trademark jog around the court, and the booming Ateneo band, I can't help but stare in wonder at the coolness of the Babble Battalion and these kids. Though they were mostly not synchronized they still did pretty well and earned a hefty amount of applause.
Back to the game. The Legends started to fire up as Olsen Racela started banking shots and the Blue Eagles started to turn the ball over. Suddenly, we had a close ballgame before our very eyes. At the closing seconds, the Blue Eagles had a two point lead and had possession of the ball. Then, Fonacier failed to catch a very nonchalant pass (I shout in pain). With the clock winding down, Wesley fired from three-point land and everyone was on their feet. Then bam! He missed the shot and the game was over. Whew! The Legends really gave the Blue Eagles a ran for their money.
Wherever there are basketball players (and celebrities), there will always be fans who would stampede to get their autographs. Well, I was one of them. Originally, I only wanted Fonacier's but unfortunately, he disappeared into the dug-out after signing for just a couple of groupies. Wanting a signature from a player, I went straight for the next best thing, Wesley Gonzales (eeeewww!!!). Then, I saw Ticzon, so I asked him too. After, it was Gec Chia, then Jojo Lastimosa, and the last was Quimpo (only becasue he was blocking our way and I just did it out of courtesy). So now, I have 4 signatures of cagers at the back of my filler.
Then, me and RB ate at McDo then went home and I talked to the phone with my honey. Then, I asked if RB can go with them on the way home. Then, I was off to Lala Land, knowing that it was one heck of day.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Carrying the Cross
Everybody has it but no one carries it
I attend the weekly corporate worship with fervent devotion. But this week's worship is special because we have been graced by the presence of Bishop Ted Bacani. Yes, he's the former Novaliches bishop who was rumored to commit acts of sexual harassment. But amidst the controversy, he gave a very profound reflection on last Sunday's gospel. Thus, the reason for this late night blog entry.
"The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." - Luke 9:22
The gospel took place while Jesus was praying with his disciples. This statement of Jesus is one of the most shocking events in his life, disregarding the actual crucifixion. I know that in modern times, Jesus' statement has no effect on us but during those times it was. Why? Imagine that God sent someone from the heavens to be the next president of the Philippines. During the campaign period he would say that he is the rightful president of the republic but he will be jailed, be tortured, be subjected to lethal injection, and shall rise after 3 days afterwhich, he will rise to be the country's president. Outrageous isn't it? That's how the apostles felt back then. But the other reason why the apostles were shocked at Jesus' statement is the fear that it inflicted into the hearts of the apostles. They were thinking that if the master would be persecuted, no doubt, the followers will also be persecuted.
"If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it." - Luke 9:23-24
It is a known fact that in the time of the apostles there were countless Christians who were persecuted. Thus, public knowledge of their faith in Christ is an instant death sentence. But after the Edict of Milan, Christianity became the official religion of Rome through Constantine. Thus, Chrsitianity spread throughout the world.
Kings, Emperors, and Queens were baptized into Christianity thus, staying true to the word "The religion of the king is the religion of the people", everyone had themselves baptized. When Clovis was baptized, Christianity became France's religion. Instantly. Christianity became a status symbol because back then when one is a Christian, he or she is identified with the rich and powerful.
I was reminded of Paul's first letter to Timothy - "... whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task." - 1 Timothy 3:1. Why is the position of bishop a noble task. Contrary to popualr notion, the nobility in the position of bishop is not because of its power or authority but because of his willingness to risk his own life for the service of Christians. It is ironic therefore that most priest nowadays strive to be bishops not because of the desire to serve but because of the perks that come with it - huge money offerings, ticket to banquet with dignitaries, and the likes. But that is not the true essence of ecclesiastic leadership or Christianity to be exact.
I remember a story about this priest aboard an airplane from Japan to USA. He just finished his daily reading of the Bible when the Japanese seatmate of his asked him, "Are you a Christian?". The priest answered, "Yes. Are you?". The Japanese replied, "No, but I want to be". The priest, deeply interested, asked, "Why don't you become a Christian?" and the Japanese answered, "It's because I'm a businessman. It's difficult to be a Christian and a businessman at the same time. Maybe I will be a Christian when I retire."
The story simply mean that being a Christian is not an easy vocation. Being baptized at birth doesn't automatically make you a Christian that God wanted us to be. The Japanese realized the grave importance and demands of Christianity.
The reality in the Philippines is that 80% of the Filipinos are Christians and 90% of these are Catholics. But look at our counrty. Has Christianity ever made a difference in our lives?
I remember a saying that "Communism is a religion with a cross that has no Jesus. Modern religion has a Jesus with no cross." This statement is painfully true. Christianity has lost its true essence in our fast-paced world. The faith that the early disciples fought for is steadily becoming just the default religion of the world. The past identification of Christianity, not just Catholicisim, as the Counter Society because of the positive distinctness of the Christians from others, is already lost. But why?
The answer can be rooted to Jesus' word in Luke 9:23-24. Though the words were spoken thousands of years ago, the message is as modern as ever before. He wanted us to carry our crosses and follow him. Obviously, he didn't mean that we carry a large cross made of timber and walk towards Calvary. Jesus want us to carry the burden of being a good Christian. He wants us to unlearn the ways of the world and make a difference in this world of indifference. Only a Christian can do that.
Look around us, is there such a thing as Christian values in the shows we watch, in the campaign of our politicians, in the books we read, and in the things that we do. Think and ask yourself if you are a true Christian who carried his cross. Yes, it's difficult but come to think of it, Jesus had himself nailed to the cross and if we ever follow him we will face difficulties but these difficulties are just slight bruises compared to his. Carrying the cross of Christianity doesn't need humongous sacrifices or showy charity. All it needs is the fulfillment of our duties with devotion. It may sound simple but the truth is, nothing can be harder. This pleases the Lord.
Hardships are God's graces for it creates Christians out of us. So ask the Lord to make us bleed from time to time and we must always remember that GOd is always right by our side as our source of strength to go on.
Be a Christian. Make a difference.
At Your Service
The sticker
At first, I thought ten hours of work is very difficult. But when I heard Gino already had more than 10 hours of service, I instantly knew that it wasn't bad at all. I arrived at the OAA Office at about 1:45 pm, right after my last class - Math 18 (very boring). Then, I was led to a compartment of the room wherein three others are toiling with magazine-like brochures at hand. These, I learn, are the new catalogues of the courses offered in the Ateneo for the applicants.
With little direction to go with, I started working. The job: place the sticker (the one on the pic) on page 16 of the catalogue to cover the label "Social Science Building" because it didn't matched the pic. I have to plow stack after stack of catalogues with 50 catalogues per each stack.
At first, I had a hard time because it's difficult peeling off the sticker, but after the first ten, I already developed an effective system. The other 3 people are fairly fast but I am quick to follow. But the funny thing was, after I started, one of them started to doze off. Good thing he woke up after a few minutes because it would be unfair for us if he didn't.
After a stack, three others arrived. Thus, there was seven of us working through at least 30 stacks. Well, though the job was easy, I must admit that it was pretty tedious. After finishing all the stacks, I went to the OAA personell to have my Service Card signed. Instead of writing 3 hours, which is the actual service duration, she wrote 4 hours. I figured she is giving me a bonus for a job well-done (grins).
Four hours down, six more to go.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Lunchtime Boredom
I am here and you are not (hehehe)
My presence here is a testament of how bored I am here. It is no wonder, therefore, that the guy to my left is surfing the Magic the Gathering's website and the one on my left is just checking his e-mail - I am obviously not alone on my quest to squander my time in the Ateneo. But unfortunately, in reality, I have more important thing to do than write in this blog:
1. Buy a filler for my English journal.
2. Read Leithold.
3. Rack up on service hours for the scholarship (very important).
4. Sleep.
5. Trigger.
Ok, so I have a lot of things to do but who's rushing? The point is, if there's a will there's a way but unfortunately, today as in NOW, my will is weak.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Don't cry. There's no reason to cry. Don't waste those tears. I already shed the tears a long time ago so that none of us may shed another one, ever again. It's my fault... just is everything...
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Making a Believer
Who said one can't judge a book by it's cover?
I bought the book two weeks ago together with Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban. Before anything else, I want to make it clear that I am not fond of Harry Potter. I bought the book for the sake of the movie because when I watched it the night before I bought the book, I couldn't understand it because the sounds were to low. Well, I started to read the book (Angels & Demons )this past week. All I can say is that the plot is quite enthralling. It's fast-paced and really intelligent. As I am a fan of intelligent novels, I deeply enjoyed the latter.
Dan Brown has produced a masterful stroke of ingenuity. His interwoven ideas can blur the lines of reality compelling readers to believe every word he says. Each chapter though most are short, caters to cliffhangers that would have readers, such as me, begging for more. Thus, Brown's excellent storytelling has kept me tucked in a silent corner of Ateneo's shivering Rizal Library for hours at a time with my eyes glued to the adventures of Robert Langdon and Vittoria Vetra across Vatican. But surprisingly, the strongest point of the novel is not the riveting plot but the moral implications of the story.
Angels & Demons, if read with an insightful eye, can make the readers stop and think about the realities of life. From the true extent of the rights of the nosey media to the quetion of true faith in the Lord, the novel is a hodgepodge of moral questions that we should not ignore.
Dan Brown is truly a masterful writer. Combining his uncanny adroitness to weave myriads of twists and turns with his incredible ingenuity, it won't come as a surprise for me if I see myself buying the Da Vinci Code in the not too distant future. For the meantime, Brown has certainly made a believer out of me.
I give this book (out of 5):
Friday, June 18, 2004
Homeward Bound
Withered maybe but alive I'm still
After studying the undeniable inaccuracies of Zaide, the representation of reality through fiction, and the concept of sheer mathematical boredom through the eyes of Muga, my body was subjected to a brief yet exhasperating drudgery of dragging myself, my laptop, and my soiled clothes through kilometers of hot and arid metropolitan landscape - homeward bound.
I had never imagined how exhausting it would be to simply go home on a Friday afternoon. It was as if the life force in my body escaped me. After roughly two hours of travel which included a ride in the Megatren (which is the only enjoyable part of the trip), a short walk across the hot Cubao afternoon, and a seering ordinary bus ride to Sucat across unsurprising traffic, I laid myself across my own bed trying to regain strength and reason lost after an uneventful first week of college.
I'm tired. I'm so tired. I'm very tired. Tired I am. Free writing.. Prixie's unshaved armpits.. oh well.. 'til the day my spark goes back to life, ciao!
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Mister Suave Goes to Ateneo
hanep sa suave!
So how is it to live miles away from home for two weeks? Well, I'm having the time of my life! Oh well, although it is fun being away from my parents restricting presence, life alone is hard. It's hard to find "palatable" good. It's hard to keep my things organized. It's hard to take care of problems. It's even hard to wake up in the morning. But who said being partially independent is one big bed of roses?
My first week of classes in the Ateneo is an indefinite mixture of fun, anxiety, and boredom. Weird as it may seem, slacking off is quite tiring, specially when it involves walking back and forth around the university. But there is this one recurring that I've been having since this Monday. It's tardiness. Last Monday and Tuesday, I was late because I wasn't able to wake up earlier. ALthough I live in a dorm that's walking distance from ADMU, it approximately takes 10-15 minutes to get there. Besides the morning tired feet, my body instantly becomes a glistening mound of flesh and perspiration. But at least I'm getting my daily dose of Vitamin D and cardiovascular work-out.
Honestly, dorm life is pretty fun and amuzing. Besides the fact that we (my Mascian classmates) dominate the whole top floor of our dorm, our 3 rooms play as the common room for the majority of the dormers. That means that from dinner onwards the Abada boys (as we are called), congregate at whoever's room in the third floor (our floor). Most of the time, the socialization ends after midnight thus, eyebugs are staple for us.
Oh man! Before I write a longer post, it's better that I end this one. Besides, I still need to finish my essay on myself. Ciao!
Lux in Domino