sweet16 :)

At exactly 12 in the midnight today, I was awakened, not by the beeps of my cellphone because of my friends and loved ones greeting me a happy birthday, but by the brownout, it was hot and I can't sleep because I kept on changing my position to find a comfortable one. I stayed widely awake until 2 am and I have a Math17 class at 7 am, a good birthday gift indeed, sarcastically speaking. HAHA :). Enough of that bad scenario. I was touched because my phone was flooded with lots of midnight greetings sent by my closest friends, family, relatives. I was also able to attend the mass at St. Therese and receive the body of Christ, how lucky I was. After my first class in the morning, I had treated and had my celebration with my closest college friends. At 5 pm, I watched the Cinemalaya indie film entitled "Requieme''. I enjoyed watching the movie except for the hmmm scenes, I'm not yet ready for those :P. After I signed up the attendance sheet, I proceeded near the kwek kwek tower to meet my whole family. Yes, I was so touched, they really made an effort to go here and complete my birthday celebration. We had our dinner at Bonitos. They brought gifts for me. They bought a birthday cake and soda so that I can celebrate with my roommates and HS friends :) I was touched because my roommates and HS friends headed by Joco, wrote post-it messages and post it around my cabinet. :) Indeed, a day full of celebration for me, really, I never expected that I will have a blast on my 16th birthday since it's the very first time that I am not with my family but I was wrong. I can say that even if it was more simple than my 15th birthday, I still enjoyed it because of my family and friends. Thanks to them for their efforts! :)  

Sept 16

It's mommy's birthday today! :) I made a video clip for her just last night and it was just so rush because I am still studying for my math17 2nd long exam scheduled on Tuesday and I need to hide to her the video that I'm making. I also bought her a pair of shoes :). We attended the Holy Mass during the afternoon and afterwards, we pursued our dinner at Max's. We also did shopping. It is a very happy day indeed. Happy birthday mom! :-)

Sept 8 :)

Today is my Nasc5 field trip, my very first field trip in college. Hurray! :). Haha. But, I wasn't that much excited because the trip's destination was just in Laguna and what's worse is that it is in my hometown, Sta. Rosa City. What a poor kiddo. :). The first stop was in Nuvali, where me and my older brother goes almost every weekend, it's a great place to really unwind and eat delicious but also expensive foods. Good thing my bro pays for it everytime. The next stop was in Toyota, where my older bro works. What a coincidence. The third and last stop was in Macabling where my house is a bit near. Too bad that the jeepney drivers and the professors were not so familiar on how to go to those places, good thing that I am living in Sta. Rosa and I am very familiar with the direction to reach those places, I saved all of us from being in a wrong direction and not knowing where to go. I directed the drivers where to go. That's the hometown advantage! :) \m/ 

August 30 :)

PE time :)
It is the announcement of top scorers today. :). I was shocked seeing my name displayed on the screen. Though it's not top1, it is still an honor for me. I got 72/80. :). Ma'am Noh gave us five points bonus for our attendance. And another five points for us who let her checked our draft for the postermaking. Thus, I got 82/80. Thank God! :)

Aug 25 :) "REMINISCING"

It's been a year since Agnes. Matthew. Peter. Francis. (A.M.P.F.) Family' s Youth Encounter Retreat in Tagaytay. :).  Sts. Agnes, Matthew, Peter, Francis were the names of my section when I was a HS student. I belong to the science-enriched class along with my classmates. We were all together as classmates for solid four years. We've seen each one's ups and downs, sweetest success and  bitterest downfalls. We were all more than just classmates and friends to each other, WE ARE FAMILY! We are siblings even though not blood-related, but by HEART <3. How we miss each other. Hopefully, we will all be able to get to see each other SOON! :) \m/

 I went to school earlier ;). I saw my fourth year adviser, how I miss her a lot. :). She asked me how is my life going now :). I miss her pieces of advice :). As I witness St. Francis '12-'13 practice, another thing that I reminisce was the Madulang Sabayang Pagbigkas practices of my section before. We were the champion consistently in Madulang Sabayang Pagbigkas. And during our last performance, according to Sir Edison "Choi" Alcabasa, and I quote: "No offense to the other groups, you were really all great, they just took it a notch higher. Congratulations SFA 2011-2012! You gave me goosebumps!"I miss how we practice before- the brainstorming, the arguments in conceptualizing, and most important of all, the BONDING MOMENTS <3 during idle hours. :) If only I could turn back time, I will be happy repeating those moments with my second family ;) <3

Aug 18 :)

Happy day! :) I got to bond with my HS classmates and friends. We catch up things with each other :) Chitchat there and everywhere :). We went to malls, arcade games and have food trip again. How I miss them so much :)

aug 9 :)

After days of staying inside my apartment, the sun finally showed up and the weather was finally better. So, I encouraged my roommates to go outside and buy donations for our fellow countrymen who were greatly devastated by the monsoon.Since I've save a lot of portion of my money because I'm not going out for the past few days, I bought canned goods, noodles, milk, coffee, sanitary napkins, diapers to donate. I gave my donations to the relief center located near the vega center. But I'm not contented of just donating goods. I volunteered to join in their relief operation. Since I'm just a newbie here in LB, I didn't join yet the distribution since I'm not yet familiar with the place and I'm just available for one hour only. Ate Cezsy assigned me to roam around the campus to collect financial assistance. It's really an awesome experience for me especially because it's my very first time to do that. Somehow, I'm not very comfortable soliciting money to other people but then I managed to do it because I really want to help. I was strucked because everytime that I asked someone to donate, without a doubt, they would readily give money, even if it is just coins or peso bill. Some people even donated Php50. I reminisced my HS years, in Canossa School, we were taught to be a Christian Person Sharers of God's Love. And it is so great to witness Filipinos helping
one another especially with this kind of situations. #bangonPilipinas

aug 5 :)

I went back  in Los Banos earlier than the usual  because I'll have a long exam in Math17 tomorrow. I don't like to experience  hassle tomorrow. Also, I wanted to see the new batch of fourth year students taking up the UPCAT :) especially my lil bestfriend/sister. I really do miss her a lot. :) It was so nice that we were able to see each other and bond even though the time  was limited because it's late already  and they need to go home since they still have a class tomorrow. But still, we enjoyed it :D

Awesoooome day! ;)

July 24. I love this day! :) I got a perfect score again in Math17 recit exercise. All the hard works and nerve wracking solving practices last night really paid off. I also bought a puppy, its breed is parson Russell terrier :) It is cute and really adorable ;)

There are still...

July 23 As I'm riding in a jeepney on my way back here in Los Banos, my heart jumped in joy because I saw that there are still gentlemen around. Two lady passengers were left with a not so comfortable seat, and that two gentlemen offered to sacrifice there comfy position so as the ladies won't burden. Amazing isn't it? You can hear almost everywhere that there are many incidents of women abuse but still there are like those men who knows the value ofrespect for women. It is a bit hard on their part also, sitting on just half of the seat and not resting their back for about an hour, but still they managed and did it. I always admire gentlemen. I salute all of you out there. :)

Not feeling well

July 18.
Ugh. I'm not feeling so well today. I was very dizzy during the morning, but I need to get up and prepare myself to go and attend my classes. On the evening, my condition got worse than earlier, I felt like as if I'm going to vomit anytime and I see that the world is turning upside down literally. Good thing that my roommates were there, they helped and assisted me until I recovered. Thanks girls! ;). But still, I miss how my mother cares for me every time I got sick. For the past 15 years, she's the only one taking care of me, and I can say that really it is an EXCEPTIONAL LOVE AND CARE :)

FUN RUN :D

July 14 :)

Today is the 1st KapaligiRUN. Green run for Makiling Forest ;)

This was the first time that I joined such fun run :) because I am not a very athletic type of person, that's why. I enjoy playing chess and other board games than to sweat through running and other physical activities. I even recall way back my grade school and high school years, I just pay the registration fee every fun run that we have, but I don't attend any of those. But, since I'm now a college student, I want to EXPLORE :D, to experience something new, so I really made it a point to join in this said fun run :). Since this is also required for my PE1 class, I really have to join. I walked/ jog/ ran three kilometers for about 30 minutes :). The happiest part during the fun run is running with your friends, and when all of you are tired, you'll just stroll/walk and chitchat :). Being able to help the Makiling forest and at the same time, being a healthier person is such a great achievement. Being able to reach the finish line for a beginner like me is very fulfilling. :). More fun runs to join in the near future, that's what I'll promise to myself :)

That feeling... :)

July 11 (Wednesday)

I and my friends walked around the C-Park in UPLB at around 9 o'clock in the evening after eating our dinner at the Boston Cafe :). Suddenly, I saw a kid selling sampaguita. That kid approached  us. He requested us to buy sampaguita from him. My friends ignored the kid's request and said that they've no money left on their pocket. But, I get a money from my pocket and donated it to the kid. I didn't anymore get the sampaguita because I have no altar in my apartment to hang it on, and, also, he may be able to get additional money for selling it to other people. I said to the kid, "O bata, ito P40, bili mo ito ng pagkain, umuwi ka na rin sa inyo, gabi na, baka mapahamak ka pa." He, then, replied, "Opo, thank you po. God bless po. God bless."

I was struck. I am really touched because nowadays, showing gratitude isn't a mainstream anymore. Though, I am not asking for recognition for the act that I voluntarily did, it feels too good to hear people uttering words of thanks towards you. Even if that P40 seems so little for us, for that kid, it seems so big and useful. It really feels so great to help the needy people. :). For, I always believe in the saying that "What you give, will come back to you in three more folds." :D. And, I really can attest to this ;)

"SAMSON"

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of wonder bread and went right back to bed
And history books forgot about us and the bible didn't mention us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the stars came fallin' on our heads
But they're just old light, they're just old light
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
Told me I was beautiful and came into my bed
Oh I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light
And he told me that I'd done alright
And kissed me 'til the mornin' light, the mornin' light
And he kissed me 'til the mornin' light

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
Ate a slice of wonderbread and went right back to bed
Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down
Yeah we couldn't destroy a single one
And history books forgot about us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first

[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/r/regina-spektor-lyrics/samson-lyrics.html]

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I and my group really enjoyed the song-listening activity that we had during ENG 1 last Friday. We were very amazed and shocked to find out the truth about the song, that it wasn't Delilah who sang it, but another woman, whom Delilah commanded to cut Samson's hair because she herself can't do it. For my 15 years of existence here in Earth, it was the very first time that I discovered the truth behind that song because I always believed before that it was Delilah who sang it. I didn't even know that Delilah wasn't  really the one who cut Samson's hair because if I remember it right, based from my story book when I was still a diaper denizen, it was her. But, as Sir Embate revealed to us the lyrics to prove that there's another woman like: "I loved you first, I loved you first", "And history books forgot about us and the bible didn't mention us, not even once" "Samson came to my bed"-meaning they are in separate beds. Knowing these facts are really INTRIGUING, AWESOME and AMAZING! :D

SECOND WEEK OF BEING AN ISKA \m/

My second week as an Iska was very fine :D. I'm now more used to the way of living in Los Baños, meeting people everyday with different hometown and raised in different cultures. I'm proud to say that I have gained friends now. :). Half of them are from the upper class and the other half is from my fellow NFs :). I also felt great, as for this week, all of my quizzes' score is perfect, even if it's surprised quiz or not. A great headstart for my freshman year :D. But, I felt sad for my upperclass seatmates because one time we had a surprised quiz in NASC 5 about the undiscussed and just given handouts, they weren't able to answer any items in the quiz. But, at the back of my mind, I think it's also their fault, each of us have the responsibility to study every time the hand-outs, lessons given, so we are prepared for surprise activities.I remembered when I was in grade school and in high school, getting a perfect score in quizzes  or in examinations isn't a very big deal for me because it's easy to have a perfect score. But, getting a perfect score even in just a quiz in UP is a big deal. :D. For you really have to work hard to attain it :). 

FIRST WEEK OF BEING AN ISKA \m/

“ISKOLAR NG BAYAN…ISKOLAR PARA SA BAYAN”

June 10. This was the day when I and my stuffs transferred in our apartment in Batong Malake. My family accompanied me. As they leave me in the apartment, there’s a part of me that wants to go with them because it’s really the first time that I’ll be away from my family like what I’m reiterating on my previous posts here. The longest time that I was away from them was when I attended the Youth Encounter/ Retreat in Canossa Retreat House in Tagaytay last August 25-27. That retreat was required for all the senior students. During those three days, I don’t felt any home sickness, even if I have no gadgets to use there because the gadgets were surrendered to the sisters. But, this is a big deal; I’ll be away from them from Monday afternoon up to Friday in the afternoon every week during the semesters. Just the fact that there are many forms of communication relieves my worry if ever I’ll miss them. After my companions and my roommates’ companions leave us, we were left in that room with nothing to do; we’re just like staring at the wall and the ceiling, chitchatting for a while, then back to do our own stuffs. Good thing that I and my roommates came from the same school. As a matter of fact, two of us are classmates for 5 yrs. That lessens the awkwardness and boredom inside our room. Before we went to sleep, we made a schedule of our bathing order every day to avoid conflicts and hassles with our class schedule. That ends my first night in Los Baños.

June 11. As we walk around the campus, my excitement intensified. I gained friends in my bloc during the campus tour, but my feet hurt, maybe, because I wasn’t used to walk that far. Just another trivia, my house in Santa Rosa is just a 3-minute walk away to my high school. Can you imagine? It is a very BIG adjustment for my limbs. But, I know, soon, I will get used to it. Today isn’t a boring day unlike yesterday. After the campus tour, my high school classmates visited us on our room. We were just chitchatting and talking about random stuffs, majority of our topics was our unforgettable high school memories. During the night, as I reflect, I still really can’t believe it. Two days remaining before the start of classes. Well, for us freshies, it would be on the 14^th since the convocation is scheduled on the 13^th. 

June 12. Independence Day. Happy Independence Day to my fellow Filipinos out there! If you have spare time, you can read my older post here entitled “Freedom: FREE from world’s DOMination”. It’s about having freedom. Thank you! J. Anyways, this is my 3^rd day in Los Baños, little by little, I’m getting used to the way of living here. J I was supposed to go back to Santa Rosa yesterday, but my parents said no, the fare doesn’t matter, but they are worrying that I will just get tired going back and forth, and they want me to be familiar with the way of living here. So, I explored the campus and tried almost all of the “must-tries” here in UPLB. 

June 13. We woke up early and prepared ourselves for the AlmOSAlan. Luckily, we were one of those early birds, so we were able to avail most of the free foods serve there by the different organizations. During the convocation, I and my classmates didn’t get bored. As we were very enthusiast on getting to know our school board and staffs, moreover, our enthusiasm escalated as the different performing organizations here in UPLB showcased their talents. The performers really boost our honor to be in this prestigious university because they are people whom you can be really proud of, they’re not just gifted with great minds but their talents have really something to offer. During the afternoon, almost all of my HS classmates visited us in the apartment. Can you imagine? There are two double-decks in our room. But, all the beds were occupied by us sitting on the beds. The floor was also occupied. We were that many. We were chitchatting and talking of our high school memories and first week experiences as Isko and Iska.

June 14. First day of classes for us, freshies. Whew =)). My very first ever class in College was Math. J. Good thing that my prof was kind, approachable and funny, same as with my classmates. That ease the nervousness that I feel during that day. I enjoyed the “introduce yourself” part of my subjects during this day. Each subject has its own gimmick not to have a boring first meeting. J. We didn’t meet in PE1 because Ma’am Enriquez had a meeting to attend to.

June 15. First week- CHECK! Though I was loaded during the morning from 7 am up to 11 am, and have to go to Vet Med AVR from CAS A2 MPH2 for just ten minutes. I didn’t feel much haggard. After the 11 am class, I went straight to have a lunch. Whew. I have so much break time from 11 am-2:30 pm, good thing that one of my classmates called me and asked me to accompany him as he eat his lunch. Afterwards, I proceeded to my apartment and already packed my things, as I am excited to go back to Santa Rosa after five days of being here. After how many hours of waiting, my last class for the week, ENG 1, pursued. I really enjoyed the very first ever meeting of ENG 1, with Sir John Mervin Embate. With no biased at all, not for the sake of getting good grades or whatsoever. I enjoyed the aura of all the people inside CAS 106. It feels so light and with no tension at all. We are enjoying, but, at the same time, learning. That’s the studying environment that I really like the most. There’s a saying that “Save the best for last.” True enough, it is.J. At around 4 in the afternoon, I and my companions already left Los Baños, we were very much excited to go home, as a matter of fact, when we saw the famous landmark of Santa Rosa, Enchanted Kingdom, we really felt relieved and thought that we’re very near to our place, but it will still took 30 to 45 minutes. As I walk on my street, I’m not used to walking on it anymore; my eyes are looking for the yellow and white lights of UPLB, the many people roaming around the campus even if it is 9 pm already. And, as I enter my house, I felt “home sweet home”, my family members hugged me; my three dogs were competing to get my attention, they licked my face. Oh how I miss them alsoJ. I missed also my bed, pillows and comforter, my air-conditioned bedroom. After hours of telling to them my first week experience, I cleaned my body and sleep immediately to regain hours of sleep lost.

June 1, 12 days before the new chapter of my life :)

June 1 :D

Whoa. Today is June 1. WHAAT? 12 days to go then it's the start of my new journey, my new journey as a COLLEGE STUDENT :). Whew :). I should've be at ease to say hello to my apprehensive self.  Full of nervousness and anxieties about what's in store for my future, hope it's a super bright one :D *fingers crossed* :). LOL! :). But at the back of my head, I'm super excited to go to College :). I envy my high school classmates who are now experiencing what college students does. The traffic during rush hours, no vacant seats in fast food chains, meeting new friends, wearing civilian clothes for school every day :), being a more independent and responsible for all of my resources. But I know that I shouldn't be that much of envious, I know I would be fed up with that everyday routine. So, I guess I have to enjoy the remaining 12 days of my last high school  summer vacation. :). Before being a CERTIFIED ISKA on June 13 :). That's all for now. :) 

May 13, many signficant events =)

Today is MAY 13 in my home country, Philippines :)
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A day which has many significant events for me :)
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First of all, it's a special day for MY MOM AND ALL THE MOTHERS out there :) 'coz it is the MOTHERS' DAY for this year :D. Actually, I stayed up late for this special day for my mom :). I uploaded my personalized audio-visual presentation for her on Youtube and on Facebook during the midnight. Even if I just rush it two days before the big day, I really made it a point that she will enjoy and appreciate it, I really planned to upload it during midnight so that I won't get caught and busted by her because she is still using her Facebook account until evening of yesterday :). I also made a greeting photo for all my mom buddies in Facebook.

Second, it's a special day for me too. A day to start my countdown because  it's officially one month to go before that drastically change happen on the start of my college journey in the University of the Philippines Los Baños, my dream school :). Gosh, I really can't believe it. 30 DAYS. And what makes me a bit sad is that my days that I'm staying with my family in one house is running out because probably on or before the second week of June, I'll be staying with my housemates in our apartment in Los Baños. :(.  I admit it, it will be the first time that I'll be away from my family for four days a week, because from the moment that I was born, they're always with me. But facing on the brighter side, I will  still see them  on Friday evening until Monday afternoon when I get home every Friday :). Yey! I will still have about 3 3/4 days with them :). And, I will really grab this opportunity to become an independent young lass, I want to be more responsible of myself, my actions and my decisions, this will be a great chance for me to grow up and don't just be a coward and still dependent to my parents. I want to show to them that I can now manage my self because I'm not a baby anymore. :). Though I think, it won't be a smooth sail for me, I still think that gradually I can do it. With God, nothing is impossible. I admit, yeah, I really have many apprehensions in my head now, in fact it's too many to mention, but I'll give you some like, "Can I survive being alone?" "Can I survive being away from my family for four days every week?"  "Am I ready really for College life?" "Can I manage my things and be responsible for my basic needs?". Yeah, you read the latter statement right, I admit, I'm partly a lazy girl inside the house, though I can do chores at home, I rely those to our maid, at home, I don't do any chores. But at school, I'm the most industrious kiddo, I volunteer always. And this is somehow my last worry, "Can I wake up early in the morning all by myself?" Gosh, this is what I'm scared the most. I'm really a late sleeper, my system is always energized to do things during the night until midnight, weird isn't it? But I don't really wake up early. HAHA =)). My mom used to wake me up in the morning during the 10 years of my schooling. I can't be wakened up by just an alarm either in alarm clock or in the phone, my system is used to hear my mom's screaming just to wake me up and separate me from my bed. That's one of my biggest problems in life. LOL =)) seriously, what a big problem that I have. Haha =)). Enough said :D. I already spoiled many info about me :D

Lastly, it's my cousin's 7th birthday. :). Happy birthday Steven James P. Leosala! Be nice to your parents and younger bro :). Study harder huh? I bought a toy for him, I hope that he likes it :)

FIN :). I already narrated those significant events :). Sorry if it's too long :) 
 

BAB..UNG \m/

I always dreamed to have a boy best friend ever since. :). 'Coz for me, even if I have tons of close girl friends, having a boy best friend is still a different situation and experience :). Luckily, I found mine. I'm BAB and his UNG, but BAB..UNG was jut one of our many funny names for each other. :). On my next posts, I'll tell more of our story :). I can't explain why but I'm more normal or should I say, I'm at my true self, every time that I'm with him. Maybe, I don't have any pretensions because he accepts me for who I am, no offense to my girl best pals, but I'm more comfortable to be myself to him. And besides that, he makes me laugh always, there are no dull moments when he's beside me. I don't know but he's the only person who effortlessly makes me smile and laugh even with just simple things and more often, doing nothing :). He is also the only person who can make me cry because of laughing so hard, he gives me the feeling of being  overjoyed. As the saying goes, "Any one can make you  smile or cry, but it takes someone special to make you smile when you already have tears in your eyes."--that is him, for me ;).  We are very comfortable with each other :) We have that certain connection, that even with just a glance, we can understand each other.  We have a secret language with special codes that no one would ever be able to crack.We always have a blast every time that we're together, even if we are just two. Our energies combined together will form a riot :D. We crack jokes even if it's not funny at all. We tease each other but instead of getting mad, we laugh, laugh and laugh :D. We have a very good chemistry too, in fact, we are arts buddies, i'm the mind, he's the hands. We instantly get what each other wants and dislikes. We are also very open to each other, we know each others' weaknesses, our strengths, our flaws and accepts each other no matter what. We exchange stories, even those wackiest and a bit shameful to tell to other people even to our families, that's how comfortable we are. :D He is the sweetest when I cry. I still recall the time when I extremely cried because of that *not worthy* person, when I told him what had happened, he really tried to comfort me, he stayed and listened to my complaints and sobs, even if he's busy during that time because we're having a practice during that time. :). He begs for me when I'm mad. I still recall the day when I acted that I am mad at him after he cracked a joke at me. I just did that to see if he's really concern for me, if he will be affected and if he's willing to do any thing just  to win me back. And to my surprise, I was very shocked, his mood changed suddenly after just few minutes of me not talking to him and deceiving him that I'm angry. He suddenly turned silent and his happiness meter really went down, as in zero. I really felt alarmed, my conscience was killing me during that time. So, I finished my acting stint, I approached him, since our seats are just near. He's behind me on the left side. :) I told him that I'm not really mad at him and said sorry to him. His happiness meter began to boost up. :D. At first, he can't believe me that I'm not mad. But I convinced him, and he was then happy. I noticed that he was writing something on a piece of paper. I know that he does it every time that he's sad. I really insisted to look at what he wrote. At first, he was shy to let me look at it. But, when I scared him that I will really get mad if he wouldn't allow me to look at it. He lend to me that piece of paper, he covered his face with his hands, so that he won't see my reaction while reading what he had written. :). My heart really melted as I read in his note "... a friend that has been dear to me, yet, I mistreated her. Now, she's sick of it and the last thing that I want to do is to lose her. She was closest to me. Even through the failures, she was there to see the positive in me. It was really hard to lose a friend like that." Oh God, my tears would rolled down as I finished reading that. I really felt that I'm very important to him. I admit, even though I am a very friendly person, only few of my friends, values my importance because others see my efforts for them as just a usual thing. So, I really appreciate those who knows how to appreciate my  importance here on Earth because I admit that those appreciations really boost my moral as a person and inspires me to do better each day. :). He protects me. I don't know why but every time that I'm with him, I feel so secured even if it's just the two of us because he takes care for me. He is also like my dad, he doesn't want me to feel stressed, to feel down. He would always say to me to  "it's too much already, stop and relax for a while"  "don't forget to enjoy" :). When I called him one time, when I was sick and I have no appetite, he was deeply worried, he offered to buy foods for me, he also said to me to hung up the phone and eat first, he doesn't want me to get sick. He's really concerned for me :)  

I'm really grateful to God for granting me a boy best friend like him :). He is one of the best gifts that God had ever gave to me :).

POWER OF SMILE ;)

"A smile is a curve that sets things straight" \:D/

You can see this at the heading of my blog ;). This statement is one of my favorite quotes because I'm very very very fond of smiling. HAHA. Adjectives to describe me? Cheerful is one of the top choices. You can't afford to miss the word "cheerful" when you describe me. Jellou= cheerful and cheerful= Jellou, we are like twins. :) You can often catch a glimpse of me smiling even without no reason at all, crazy much huh? LOL! :). I am not crazy friends, it is just because I believe that life is short, so we should make the most out of it, we should enjoy life to the fullest. And, also, I believe that spreading good vibes every day is the best gift you could have ever give to anyone. :). So I smile most of the time. Really, it benefited me a lot, I became more optimistic and gained many friends since they noticed that I am very approachable, friendly and my aura is always welcoming. So weee! :)).  Life for me became really easier when I learned how to smile and appreciate the little things that I have around me :D

Human as I am, I also have those dull moments but actually, it is very rare to see me frowning or not smiling only  in a few situations like the one that I posted earlier. :) Every time I encounter hardships, I just read the Bible and later on being enlightened by His words, back to normal thingy ;). You can also try my tip and see if it works for you ;)

SPREAD THE POSITIVE VIBES guys :D

SMILE. SMILE. SMILE. ;) 

FREEDOM: FREE from world’s DOMination

FREEDOM:  FREE from world’s DOMination

                                 Photo taken by Sir Edison “Choi” Alcabasa at the UPLB Oblation

“Your freedom should rest on your hands, not on someone else.”

This statement of Sir Alcabasa on his blog completely summarizes the real essence of having FREEDOM on our hands and what we should do with our FREEDOM so that it would be used efficiently.

When we are still diaper denizens and belong to the knee-high crowd, our freedom is just limited. There are many rules bounded for us to follow: what we should eat, wear, do, and whom to talk. Why? It is brought by the fact that young as we are, we’re not yet ready to face the corresponding consequences of our actions that’s why they’re protecting us and giving us those restrictions. But now, that I'm officially about to enter in “the preparation for the real world” in College then I will later on experience the real world, the restrictions will one by one be eliminated, for as I grow up, I mature and become completely independent and be away from the shadows of my parents. Sounds difficult, right? No one will be put on the blame but only YOURSELF. You read it right. You, yourself and you.

But this isn’t just the sole issue here; RESPONSIBLE USE OF FREEDOM is also the talk of the town every time freedom is brought as the topic. Like in the mathematical equations, if you add something on the left side, you will add also on the right side. In responsible use of freedom, it should follow the line of Peter Parker in Spiderman The Movie: “With great power comes great responsibility.” It only means that our privilege to be free as a nation, freedom to live, freedom to acquire basic needs, freedom of expression and many more, has an equivalent duty to be fulfilled. For example, the freedom of speech, we’re free to speak up when we know that we’re right and if we see any anomalies but we should be careful, no, not just careful, but EXTRA CAREFUL not to hurt any reputation and credibility of other people. Another one is the freedom to acquire basic needs, we humans avail of those on our everyday living, but we should remember to WORK HARD for it and not to step up with other people’s dignity.  

There are many other ways on how to promote, implement and protect our freedom. We should keep in mind that RESPONSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION OF FREEDOM will make us more independent and not underdogs of other people.

As I end this, I want to share with you a quote to fonder on. Here it is:  

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Viktor E. Frankl

God-given talents: Why not show them off?

God-given talents: Why not show them off?

Are you afraid of showing off your God-given talents and abilities to other people? Afraid of criticisms? Of failures? Low self- esteem? Or are you just selfish so you just bore your talents in the ground so that you won’t need to share it with others thus no one can learn from you?

            These shouldn’t be your way of thinking. Why? Because God entrusted those talents and skills to you because He knows that you’re worthy of receiving it and He believes in your capability to enrich and empower them. Second, you will only deprived yourself of the chance to harness your talent, yes, you read it right, you are just making yourself a loser because you let the opportunities to pass through because you’re overpowered by your pride and attitude of being coward. If not now, when will it be? Maurice Chevalier said and I quote:  “If you will wait for that perfect moment when all is safe and assured, it may never arrive.”  He’s correct, when will that perfect time be? When you are already vulnerable and no longer have the capability to show it? You should decide on these things by now, time flies really fast so make the most out of what you can. You shouldn’t be like the servant with one talent in the Parable of the Talents who just dug his talent into the ground. You should be the servants with the five and two talents who cultivated their talents and doubled it. Bear in mind that, “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Remember also that opportunity knocks only once, take it or regret it, that’s just the choices. Quitters and cowards don’t win. . That’s why whenever there are opportunities to improve, grab it!

           

So, practice day in and day out! With God plus talents and skills plus self-confidence plus perseverance, you can achieve S-U-C-C-E-S-S! Who knows, your talent would lead you the top of the ladder of success!

             

JaNEWary

JaNEWary

            “10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . . 7 . . . 6 . . . 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!”   This is the traditional countdown for the celebration of New Year’s Eve during December 31^st; people are very busy, cooking for their Media Noche, arranging the fruits in the table, following those Feng Shui stuffs, last minute buying of fireworks and creating their NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, while waiting for 12 midnight to strike.

            Most of us have resolutions or at least points within ourselves that we want to improve or to change. But when you`ve come to reflect on your resolutions, it seems that you`re just listing those same resolutions almost every year. What could be the problem? Are your resolutions just very impossible to accomplish? Or are you just lacking in your strong will, determination and perseverance to fulfill your resolutions?s

            Your journey on fulfilling your resolutions won’t be an easy and smooth sail. There would be many temptations out there, there would also come a time that you want to give up because you’re tired. All you’ve to do is to stick on your resolution(s) and have that strong urge to complete it plus the most important of all, pray to God always, remember that nothing is impossible if God is beside you. With all these things, the start of this year wouldn’t just be an ordinary January for you but rather JaNEWary, a month to start a NEW and better you, to continue and enrich it for the upcoming days, weeks, months and years. It’s never too late to start a better life: months don’t dictate when will you start, but YOU do.  

Live Pure or Erup Evil?

“Live Pure or Erup Evil?”

Pure, what is this all about? 

            Being pure is connected with being clean, chaste and immaculate. But nowadays, people overlooks about how important it is because of many factors like peer pressure, fad, and the so-called love.

            Yeah, you read it right, according to the Live Pure symposium that I and other Vocare club members had attended, many people these days are tempted to do something beyond what is right just to prove their love, which is very wrong and will never be right because like what one of our speaker there in the symposium said and I quote, “If he/she loves you truly, he/she won’t demand that, he/she will wait for the right time when you and him/her tie the knot  with God”.

            But if you do something immoral, you will be on Erup Evil. What am I talking about? At first, my friends and I were just doodling, and then my friend spelled these words backwards. After that, we decoded a hidden meaning behind these words. We defined these as “erup” or eruption or falling down. If we became impure, we will fall down into the hands of the evil. So better yet, we LIVE PURE and not the other way around.  

Quo Vadis, Youth? (Nasaan ka na, Kabataan?)

Quo Vadis, Youth? (Nasaan ka na, Kabataan?)

            Hindi nakakapag-aral, batang kalye, maagang nag-aasawa, mga kriminal na kaagad kahit sa murang edad pa lamang, napipilitang magbenta ng laman, maagang nagtatrabaho.

            Ito ang mga kasuklam-suklam na realidad na kinakaharap ng marami sa mga kabataan natin ngayon.

            Paano kaya tayong mga kabataan magiging pag-asa ng bayan, kung nasasadlak tayo sa ganitong uri ng sitwasyon na kahit ang sarili natin ay hindi natin matulungan?

            Bagama’t hindi ganito ang nararanasan ng lahat ng kabataan ngayon dahil marami ring kabataan ngayon ang nakakaranas ng disente at mariwasang buhay. Marami ring mga nagsipagtapos na ng kolehiyo at nakapaghanap na ng trabaho. Marami rin sa mga kabataan ngayon ang sikat sa iba’t ibang larangan sa loob at labas ng ating bansa.

            Dapat magtulungan tayong lahat upang maitama ang madilim na landas na dinaraanan ng ilan sa mga kabataan ngayon. Kahit sa maliit na paraan katulad ng pag-alalay sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng pagboboluntaryo sa pagtuturo sa kanila ng mga asignatura at kagandahang-asal upang kahit nadapa sila sa umpisa ay makaaahon pa rin sila. At para naman sa mga kabataang maginhawa ang tinatamasang buhay at may oportunidad na mag-aral at makatapos ng pag-aaral, huwag nating sayangin ang pagkakataong iyon dahil maraming mga salat sa buhay na kabataan na nais makapag-aral at gagawin ang lahat makapag-aral lang, kaya dapat patunayan nating karapat-dapat rin tayo sa oportunidad na ibinigay ng Diyos sa atin. At kapag dumating na ang panahon na kahit papano’y maganda na ang buhay nating mga kabataan, taas noong masasabi nating mga kabataan, na  tayo, tayo pa rin ang pag-asa ng bayan. 

Four PLUS Two

Four PLUS Two

Costly, unsure of the quality and low-paying jobs after graduating high school, these are the points of people that are against the K-12 system. The K-12 system means that the government will add two more years in high school. Instead of entering college right after you finish 4th year, you still need to complete two more years after that. But the question is; will it be effective? 

                    One of the reasons of the government why they want to implement K-12 is because that they want the students who will finish that 6th year of High school will have a job. But that job is just to become a laborer like carpenter, electrician, etc. Those jobs can’t support the financial aspects of a family. It will just give false hopes to those who are thinking that it will be better if they will finish the 6th year of high school than to take their college degree. The point of the people that agrees with the K-12 system is that it is used by so many countries around the world, the quality of education would be improved and students will have the opportunity to be employed right after they graduate from Highschool. However, these reasons are still not that strong so that this procedure will get the approval of the population. Why?

                   The people against K-12 have reasons and the first is: No money for tuition fee payments. Poor families were related on this issue. Most of the students studies on public schools. Here is the problem. How are they supposed to pay extra payments, and where are they going to get extra money for their everyday “baon”?

                  What our country needs is to make our economy up. But how can it be done or resolved if we are lacking with the numbers of students who will finish their college degree, students that can be called “professionals” like teachers, doctors, architects, engineers, etc.

                  Look at the other side. If no one will enter college, who will be the next teachers of the next generation of students, the next doctors of those who are sick, engineers of buildings that need to be built? WHO? And how about those students who want to take a college degree? It’s just another expense that needs to be paid, another time need to study and the chance of having a well-compensated job in the early stage will be lost.

                 What is the use of adding 2 more years when our parents, grandparents or even teachers graduated gain enough knowledge to survive the real world? Spending more for the tuition fees and allowances? We cannot say that the previous generation has low-quality education because we even ask for help from them most of the times.

                 

                  It is the responsibility of the government to know the correct solutions to the problems that out country are facing right know. Instead of having the K-12 system, why not complete the classrooms first in all schools; raise the salary of our teachers so that they won’t go abroad. Produce more jobs for college graduates than decreasing their number and then maybe, we can try and see if we even need the implementation of a new routine.

Teens’ Concern: Am I accepted here?

Teens’ Concern: Am I accepted here?

           
"Parang elevator lang yan eh, bakit mo isisiksik ang sarili mo kung wala nang pwesto para sayo. Eh meron namang hagdan, ayaw mo lng pansinin." -Bob Ong 

           

              This quotation means that we want to find somehow sense of belonging in a group or in a specific people that sometimes, we didn’t notice that we already meet those people who we can really consider as true friends but we just took them for granted because you want other circle of friends or other people.

            From my first hand experience, I can attest that most of the time, I want to feel that I belong, so as much as possible, I don’t want to feel alone because at times, I know it’s funny but I admit that I tend to be paranoid and be scared of being alone without any valid reason at all. So to avoid these scenarios, I shaped myself to become a friendly and an approachable person.

            I know that many of you, boys or girls, young or young at hearts, also experienced the scenario that you don’t want to be alone or is still experiencing that.

            The teenagers nowadays want to find that sense of belonging either from their circle of friends or from their own family because they fear that they will be bullied and will be out of place. All of us feel secured, accepted, loved and cared, every time that we feel that we belong. That’s why the tendency is for us, to do whatever it takes just to fit in, even if it’s not the right thing to do and that is what you call peer pressure.

            For me, there’s nothing wrong to befriend everybody, but we should always bear in mind, that true friends assist us to the right path not to the other way around. We should be able to analyze if those who you considered as friends, are worthy to be called one. Also, you should keep in mind that true friends are those who accept you for who and what you are, you shouldn’t change yourself or do something who’s not you, just to become accepted. As much as possible, don’t choose those “friends” who just benefit from you, meaning the ones who only considered you as a friend because they can use you or your ability, but after they get what they want, you’ll be left all alone.

            Why am I emphasizing these points? It’s for all of us, including myself, not to force ourselves just to attain the feeling that we belong. We should remember that God has gifts for us, including those people who we can treasure as true friends forever. Before concluding this, I hope that you learn something from this and live out what you’ve learned in the real world.

Helping others ;)

May 3 today ;)


Sarap sa feeling ng araw na ito ;). Pano kasi nakatulong ako dun sa parang ampon namin. Share ko lang. Sya ay incoming 2nd yr hs student sa Aplaya National High School :). Sya ay dating estudyante nung lola ko nung grade 3 sya, mahal na mahal niya ang lola ko. Nanggaling sya sa medyo kapos naa pamilya. Tuwing weekends, nasa amin sya, pinapakain at pinagpapahinga sa bahay, voluntary sya na tumutulong sa mga gawaing bahay :). Pag may pasok sya, every weekends tinuturuan ko sya sa mga lessons nila, tinutulungan ko rin sya sa mga projects, hws nya. :). Binibigyan ko, ni kuya, ni mommy at daddy at ni lola siya ng baon every week ;). Deserving sya kasi kahit mahirap sila, eto, nagsumikap sya, 2nd honor siya last school year. Di ba? Pinapatunayan lang nya na basta gusto mo ang isang bagay, di hadlang ang kahirapan para makamit ang iyong inaasam na tagumpay. :). Kaya ayun, lubos lubos yung pagkaproud ko at ng pamilya ko sa kanya, nung recognition nya, I pledged na ako na sasagot ng uniforms nya for the next school year, naaawa kasi ako sa kanya, isang set lang yung uniform nya at maliit na at medyo sira na e, tapos pag kakasuot laba kaagad, imbes na ipapampapahinga nya yung time na yon after dismissal, e naglalaba sya.Tuwing Linggo nga lang nakakatikim ng plantsa yung uniform nya e, kasi magastos sa kuryente yun. Samantalang ako nung napasok ako, ang sarap ng buhay ko, may 7 na daily uniform ako at  3 set ng P.E. uniforms. Kahit araw araw iba uniform ko, kayang-kaya. Tapos di pa ako yung naglalaba at namimilantsa ng damit ko. Tapos kinulit ko si kuya, sabi ko, sagutin na nya yung school supplies, di naman ako nabigo, umoo naman siya kaagad.

E di sinamahan na namin siyang bumili ng uniforms. Habang nagsusukat siya ng damit, I saw smiles on her face, tuwang tuwa siya, nahihiya nga siya sa amin e, pero sabi ko, sige, okay lang yan. :). Maliit naa tulong lang naman iyon, pero proud ako sa sarili ko kasi sarili kong pera yung ipinambili niya, galing yun sa ipon ko. :). Ang sarap talaga sa feeling ng nakakatulong. :). Ako kasi yung tao na mapagbigay, pag may pera ako, manlilibre ako sa family ko, kakain kami sa labas, o kaya pag friends kasama ko, nanlilibre rin ako. Nagdodonate rin ako nun sa CCD collection :). Basta nakakatulong, go ako, kahit dun maubos pera ko. Actually nga, pag for family or friends or needy, go kaaagad ako, without a doubt, nagbibigay ako. Pero ang nakakatuwa at random trivia sa akin, bago ako makabili ng personal stuffs like clothes, napakatagal sobra bago ko bilhin. Kase mapaparanoid ako at tatanungin ko yung sarili ko na, what if  ipangkain na lang namin ito sa labas? E di mas marami kaming sasaya dun. Haha =). Ganun ako e, mas inuuna ko yung iba kesa sa sarili ko. :). Back to kwento, ayun, binili na rin namin siya ng school supplies, kinompleto na namin yung basic requirements nya sa school. Binili ko rin siya ng scientific calculator, nagulat nga ako, kasi first time nya na magkaroon ng ganun, e to think na sa 2nd yr, mag iistart na yung mga paggamit ng calculator. E  di naging happy siya :). Tapos binili namin siya ng new school shoes, rubber shoes  at slippers, nagtitiyaga kasi sya dun sa medyo sira niyang mga sapin sa paa. Nakita ko talaga yung tuwa sa kanyang mga mata, yung sobrang tuwa na parang kung ikukumpara mo ay tuwang nararanasan ng bata na binigyan ng candy ng kanyang magulang. Ganun. :).First time niya kasing makabili ng isang set yung complete na uniforms at school supplies. Aaminin ko nung gs at hs ako, sobra akong excited lagi kasi bago lahat ng gagamitin ko for the next school year, minsan nagpapasobra pa ako ng mga binibili at minsan nagpapabili ako ng school stuffs na di naman masyado kelangan gawa ng nagandahan lang ako. ANG SAYA TALAGANG MAKATULONG SA KAPWA :D