a piece of thought

Especially ordinary

anviejezette — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:37:03 +0000

flickr.com

A lot of teenagers are lucky enough to go to college. A number are privileged to go to prestigious universities. But a few, the chosen few, could get into the University of the Philippines and be labeled as one of the country’s brightest minds.

They say the UP student is the best of the best. He leads a simple life; is well-rounded and smart. The UP student is involved in the most pressing issues of the country because of his love for the motherland. He is willing to serve it even after he graduates—characteristic of a true iskolar ng bayan. He is noble, and he is proud of that.

Well, that’s what they think. Right now, this UP stereotype needs a reality check.

The ideal UP student is intelligent—an honor student, an achiever, a leader. Now, UP students are not necessarily intelligent. They are however hardworking and diligent—the reasons why they excel in the academe. Being a UP student is not merely struggling for knowledge and learning. It is constantly enduring the demands of school work together with extra-curricular activities and social responsibilities and of course, your personal time. But because you are from UP, the bar is raised higher as compared to the average college student.

The iskolar ng bayan is not the son or daughter of a business tycoon nor was he born to an old-rich family. The iskolar ng bayan is the son or daughter of a humble worker in the fields or an employee in government offices or small enterprises or even self-employed individuals just struggling to make ends meet. This is why the ideal UP student is accustomed to and enjoy a simple lifestyle. But now, the UP student has his fair share of branded outfits and sophisticated gadgets. Havaianas footwear, signature shirts, and the best laptops only fall a little short of the ordinary. UP has opened its doors a little wider now for the higher middle class and even the elite.

The real UP student takes a lot of pride from where he’s from. You can see him in his UP jacket, UP shirt, UP lanyard, UP baller and everything else that screams “UP” to anyone who bothers to look. But where does this UP pride stem from? It is from the realization that the UP student owes his education to the taxes of the Filipino people, and he is supposed to give back what he owes. But what is there to be proud of when this is precisely what the UP student has forgotten?

UP pride is not anymore about being of service to the motherland. It is not the reason why the UP student excels in school. He continues to excel in school to advance his status in the competitive economic and business-centered world that will welcome him when he graduates. The love for learning and the eagerness to seek knowledge is not anymore the driving force in intellectual discourse. The UP student doesn’t anymore seem interested in making significant changes through innovation. He is merely struggling to keep his head above the turbulent waters of trying economic times. The priority is a better life for himself, because more than anything else, he needs to ensure his own survival first. He has become just like everybody else.

People may say that the UP student is the head of the pack of his generation. He has what it takes to make things happen. But people change and nothing stays constant. We may attribute these changes to an evolving culture or increased influence from all over the world. But we cannot deny that every individual still has his own choice. And given that UP is a symbol of democracy, free will and social responsibility, we can stay that the UP student has taken a stand for himself, one that people cannot question, a decision we can only hope is intelligent.

the unseeen face of EBA (Electric Bill Adhustments)

anviejezette — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:27:24 +0000

The University of the Philippines is the country’s National University. In order to cater the need for quality and accessible education in the regional areas, it had branched out to different parts of the country including the Visayas. Thus, a diverse kind of culture in the University of the Philippines Visayas was developed due to the different origin of the students, coming from far away provinces and cities of Mindanao and Luzon. Hence, it paved the way for the university to provide these students dormitories that could cater their need for a home at low costs. In UP Visayas (UPV) there are three campuses: Tacloban, Cebu and Iloilo (divided into Iloilo City and Miagao). In UP Iloilo, there are six dormitories, one at Iloilo City (Balay Ilonggo) and four in Miagao (Balay Lampirong, Kanlaon, Gumamela, Madya-as and Apitong). The rates of these dormitories are at P300/ month and a regular price for appliance at P22/appliance/month for Miagao-based dormitories and P35/appliance/month for Iloilo-based dormitories. However, as they say, change is the only constant thing is this world. In 2007, the university increased the tuition of the university to 300%, from P200/unit, it became P600/unit. After two years, another increase was made but this time, it was to the appliance rate in the dormitories. From P22/appliance/month (for Miagao-based) and P35/appliance/ month (for Iloilo city-based), the prices of each appliance varied according to its power consumption that resulted to P35-150/appliance/month (for Iloilo city-based) and P22-100/appliance/month. The prices differ because the dormitories in Iloilo City gets electric source from Panay Electric Cooperative (PECO) and those in Miagao is being supplied by Iloilo Electric Cooperative I (ILECO I). Rates to these suppliers of electricity also varies, PECO charges P12.86/Kwh while ILECO I, P6.27/Kwh. PECO’s rate is double the rate of ILECO I. The Electric Bill Adjustments (EBA) was initiated by the Office of Student Affairs, because university dormitories are under the aforementioned office. This was initiated during the term of Prof. Agustin G. Huyong, head of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) in 2006-2007. This was followed-up by Prof. Marilyn Z. Alcarde, OSA head 2007-2008. However, this was only implemented during the term of Prof. Geraldine N. Garcia in January 2009 that the EBA was approved and implemented. According to the same letter of Prof. Huyong, Alcarde and Garcia to Engr. Rolando Jamero, head of Campus Development and Maintenance Office (CDMO), it is just proper to review the electric usage of the appliances in the dorms due to power hike. There had been no increase or adjustment ever since the start of operation of the dormitories. The following are the approved rates of EBA in respond to the request of OSA director Geraldine N. Garcia and the recommendation of the UPV Fiscal Policies and Operations Committee (UPV FPOC): However, the computed power consumption of appliances in the dormitories is as follows based on the data given by the CDMO: In a letter addressed to Chancellor by the OSA director, it was amended that the ipods/MP3s will no longer be charged since these are connected to laptops during charging. The summary of rates multiplied by the number of appliance in the dormitories is as followed: As shown in the table above, the residents are still paying less than what they are supposed to pay. As stated, PECO rates are double the rates of ILECO I. Formula: Iloilo city dorm rate=Miagao-dorm rate X 2 The rates in the dormitory of UPV Iloilo City did not turn out to be the exact amount that is being expected from them to pay. Only the hair dryer/blower has met the formula for the expected amount. Regarding the electric fan, computer and printer, it only charged more or less 75% of what is expected of them. However, the rate of charger exceeded P5.00 compared to the expected rate. If there was a way in lowering the amount of electricity in Iloilo City dormitory, then it is also possible and reasonable to apply it in Miagao dormitories. It’s only fair and appropriate to give both the same considerations irrespective of the campus. Power hike might be a very good reason why this adjustment in the electrical rates in UPV dormitories must be implemented but the request did not satisfy the students call for transparency and explanation. This issue had led to a more questionable state when the power consumption of the administration buildings was sought. Prior to that there is an existing question on the whereabouts of the P250, energy fee as reflected on the form 5 of the students. According to the OSA, this fee is being used in order to pay for the power consumption within the university campus only. Last year, the university had the highest total consumption at 151,166.00 kilo watt hour (KWH) from September 4 to October 5. This cost the university P1,344,472.10 as reflected in the summary of power consumption from the CDMO. Miagao (42 offices/buildings) = 118, 256.00 – (2,976+2,728¬+2,336+2,292+2,668) = 118,256.00¬ – 13,000 = 105,256 KWH Iloilo City (27 offices/buildings) = 33,611.00 – 1,868.80 = 31,742. 20 KWH Total Amount = P 1,345,610.70 Miagao Administration 105,256 x 8.17 = P859, 941.52 Dormitories 13,000 x 8.17 = P106,210.00 There is a big difference of P753, 731.52 that the consumption of the dormitories are less than the consumption of the administration. However, the administration buildings do not have an electric meter that separates its computed consumption from the rest of the university buildings. According to CDMO, the computed consumption is just estimation. Transparency is lost in here. Based on the data presented that we gathered from CDMO, Office of the student affairs, and administration, we developed the following conclusions; first is that student should not be over critical and reactive with the EBA, because data from reliable sources already speak for itself that students are already paying less that what they supposed to pay regarding their electric bills. Second on the part of the administration, it can’t be avoided that they will be questioned for transparency since they don’t have electric meter of their own, where in fact dormitories and colleges already have theirs. Thirdly, full and complete transparency of the offices involved to the students is the key in putting an end to the speculations of “corruption” regarding the issue of EBA. Given the fact that there has been no increase in the electric bills paid by the dormers since the inception of the UPV dormitories, it is but natural under current market conditions to have adjustments. Although there are questions and issues regarding the adjustments, the need for it in the strict sense is observable as it was presented above. The hindrances in the acceptance of this change are the lack of enough explanations, transparencies, consultations and dialogued to the students in order for them to realize and understand the need for adjustments.

how i wish it’s still last year

anviejezette — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:51:27 +0000

i waited...

I’m under the influence of alcohol while writing this. I don’t know but it seems that it is the only thing that can bring out all the bitterness in me. It was exactly a year ago when things had started. It seems like yesterday. We were standing outside the venue of his group’s concert and we were talking, the intimate way. I was crying, trying to tell you how difficult things had been for me and you embraced comforting me, the hug that assured me that things will never go wrong as long as we’re together. We promised to be back in that particular spot we were when we decide to end things. Tonight, I stood there, thinking of the moments, fulfilling the promise that we both made that same night a year ago.

Funny how things never changed, the feeling, the affection, the only thing that makes it completely different is the person who makes it all worth it for you. This time, it’s not me, it will never be me. I wish you still remember the night, the promise, everything that led us to what we have become now-friends, just friends.

I wish you’ll make it this time, she will be the person who’ll benefit from your promises and the person I wish I have been. I hope for the best, I wish for happiness and everything nice. I may be bitter but things have always been this way to me. I thought, you were that one exceptional person who’ll save me from everything that I’ve been through. But like any illusion, it is never real, it will never be real. I wish you were the part of my life I can edit, I wish it never happened this way, I wish I was the one whom you give importance now. May she not let you cry like what you did to me, may she love you the way I love you. I hope, it will still be me.

It’s all over now, I’ve shed all the tears I’ve shed, I’ve sacrificed all I have but it meant nothing to you. For once, only this time, may you remember the promise you said, the words you utter, the hug you gave and the love we use to share, the same day last year.

the thought that brought me to sleep

anviejezette — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:12:51 +0000

i miss the hug that brings me to deep slumber

Its dawn. I’m still awake. I feel like sleeping but my thoughts are somewhere I can’t determine. I know it is not with the academic loads that I am facing, not even with the financial constraints that I am into. I loaded myself with that that would keep me busy. These things I know are hard for me to handle, hard for me to cope with but I chose to drown myself with these loads for me to forget the real reason that bothers me. Yeah! These things might keep me busy but not enough to make me forget and let go. This is just one of those nights that I don’t feel like sleeping because the memories keep flashing back, the longing lingers and the hurt deepens. I know I have to let go of you but do we really have to end this way? I know this is not the only way, we may separate ways without bitterness but this is the most effective way of letting me detach to you. You may be right that I am delusional, I am a freak. But it was you who made me become what I am at the moment. You can never blame me.

As I get pass the night and sees the sun rise, I know that this too shall pass. Being bitter might appear immature but that is how it is. People keep on telling me that I must show that I am strong but I’m weak this time, what is the point of faking how I feel? Composure? Pride? I’ve lost it all because of this bullshit feeling I have for someone who doesn’t deserve it. But no, you may not deserve it but it was with you that I have felt this way. You are the only person who can make me cry and smile, love and hate, believe and frustrate at the same time.

I am sorry we have to go through this stage. Yes, I do not like what is happening to us but we should bear this. And pay the consequences for our actions and hope for the better to come. I miss the company, the hugs and kisses, the name calling, the moments spent in silence but mostly, I miss the person that made me feel loved and special. The person who used to brighten my day but chose to broke my heart. I miss my Iggy but I have to learn the art of letting go and the importance of loving myself more than anyone else.

Goodbye will never be easy, but I’ll make it through anyway.

I hate love stories

anviejezette — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:51:27 +0000

i hate love stories for i never had our happy ending...

Love is all over….but I hate it…not because I have not loved but because I once loved but I lost it, I screwed up. I know it is not I alone to be blamed why things never really worked out, though we both tried. We tried for almost a year but nothing better happened. I may be delusional and he may be schizophrenic but does it really matter? I mean, we both have felt the same way at one point or another but definitely, it is not just about the feeling that we have, there are much more things to consider than the way we feel, the way things had been going on. Time may be a factor but we both know that we have other obligations. Is it me who cannot understand or is it him who thinks that whatever happens, I will understand?

“I wish I could be the one, the one who could give you love, find the love you really need… I love you goodbye…”

I know that this line have been said millions of times by those hopeless romantic out there but that is just how it is. That is the perfect line to describe what they feel, what I feel. For love is and will never be enough to sustain everything that is between the two of us. I don’t know what else is needed. I also came to a point that I thought we have it all but still, it was never enough. We ended long before but the friendship and relationship we had did not just end there. We became closer than how we’ve been when we were lovers but we never had the happy ending I thought well have. I hope I’ll move on as fast as he did but somewhere in my thoughts, I still wish of that happy together.

“I love you, but I love ME more…” –sex in the city-

Everyone loves but not everyone loves themselves. I admit, I was at a point of never really thinking of myself before. You had been my priority, my world concentrated on you, you had been the most important person in my life for that span of time. I wish and pray that in one way or another, you see the worth that I have given you. My friends might hate me for doing this but I know they would understand, I just want to say goodbye one last time. I may not be treating you as important as before but I know for sure that you know that you’ll always be important to me. I’m doing this not to bring you back for I know I can’t. I know you’ve moved on, and I’ll try to be happy as how you want me to be. Thanks for setting me free and making me realize that things can never always happen the way I want it to be.

Sorry, I have never been the “mom” you wanted me to be. I never understood you like the way you wanted to be understood. As I count my days for Valentine’s Day, I’ll always remember in my heart that same day last year when you had become my Valentine.

I hate love stories not because I don’t believe in it but because I never had our happy ending.

-xoxo-

breaking things gently

anviejezette — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:15:39 +0000

will I still love thee?

Leaving is always never this easy. I saddens me, however, this just have to be the path we both have to go through.

You may not understand me, nor will you simply explain how I deal with you with your psychological bullshits. But things cannot always be explained just the way it seems. There are things that even the best poets and artists cannot define, cannot show, and cannot feel. I feel worst than anyone thought I am capable of feeling. I may look alright but I am not, we both know that we are not alright, we are under circumstances we both don’t know where to lead, and we don’t know how to deal with. I may assume in saying this and this would make you think that I’m just delusional of the things that i keep blabbering about but did you dare listen to the things that may be essential in settling things between us? I wish we both know how to listen and understand the point of one another. I don’t care of the proposition that will hopefully solve everything and make us become friends like how you wanted us to become.

Friends. We can never be friends after everything, at least not at the general perception of how friends deal with each other. Friends don’t hold hands as often as lovers. Friends just don’t reflect how we are and how we will be. Things will never be like before, we both know that. Don’t blame me for interpreting things the way I see them. Neither can I blame you for looking at things the way you want it. We have biases in dealing with the situation, there is no point of you having to consult your friends and come up with conclusions when I did not even know about it. In any way you see it, ill defend myself. For nobody else will, not you will ever be my knight in shining armor you promised me you will. Instead, it seems that you had been the destroyer who pretended to get close to me to have an easier grip of my neck. I am no fool this time. Thanks to you, I knew I deserve someone better, someone who knows what he have when he have me. Our little game, they call love is over. It never even existed in what we had for almost a year. We try to find reasons and explanations to what had been done but there’s no sense of doing that this time. Tears will, just be mere liquid to both of us this time. There is nothing much it can do except to remind us of the game we played, persons we lost, hurts we caused and times that even regret cannot bring back.

Let us let things happen just how it is suppose to happen. No settling things in a subtle way, no friendship offerings, nothing but memories we wish never existed. It is only in hurting ourselves deeply that we’ll know that it only existed because we chose to feel that way. It is in meeting and loving you that I learned that the best is not always the essential, the ideal is not always the right one. That imperfection can be perfect and the wrong choice can be the most important choice I have to make. That being at the losing side can make you feel that winning the argument is not the best feeling in the world and most significantly, that escaping will never solve the problem that you’ve left behind.

I was once a believer that love is strengthened over time but someone out there taught me an important lesson I’ll treasure all my life: Whatever it cost, the price tag of love is never measured by affection. Everyone can afford buying it but we are afraid of how much it will cost us.

Thank you for this moment
I gotta say how beautiful you are
Of all the hopes and dreams i could have prayed for
Here you are
If I could have one dance forever
I would take you by the hand
Tonight it’s you and I together
I’m so glad I’m your man

And if i lived a thousand years you know
I’d never could explain
The way I lost my heart to you that day
But if destiny decided I should look the other way
Then the world would never know
The greatest story ever told
And did I tell you that I love you tonight

I don’t hear the music when I’m looking in your eyes
But I feel the rhythm of your body close to mine
It’s the way we talk that’s sends me
It’s the way we’ll always be here
Your kiss your pretty smile you know I die for
Oh baby you’re all I need

-Greatest story ever told (Oliver James)

Diet=Die+t

anviejezette — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:16:34 +0000

is it worth trying?

Diet is a fad now a days. TV screens are flooding with commercials of food supplements, diet pills, exercising machines, surgeries, herbal medicines and teas meant for one thing-losing weight. Obesity rate is rising and it grabs the public’s attention. Nobody wants to be fat anymore. No one wants to be the subject of ridicule among their schoolmates and friends. Everybody wants to be sexy for being sexy or even skinny would lead to being popular, beautiful and loved by everyone.

My friend once had been a victim of this kind of illusion that he will be putting his body into shape by drinking a cup of green tea before sleeping and taking diet pills everyday. He once told me to try for it feels effective. Yeah right I told him, it fees effective. After a month, he noticed that nothing is actually happening to him. So tried on exercising every morning. He worked out but it lasted only for three straight days, he gave up. I spent a week of vacation into that friend’s house and it was good. I can see him exercising everyday with sweat all over his body and I felt happy for him. But there seems to be a problem. He is still eating, not that he must not eat but he never really was on a diet after all, he still eats more or less three cups of rice. I tried stopping him reminding him of the diet he is into and he gave me this answer, “Kis-a na lang ko gani gakaon (I seldom eat).” Yeah right. You seldom eat but you eat more than the amount of food your mother and I have eaten all day.

The routine went on for about two months when he actually realized that he never lost weight even a pound. He actually gained more. To make the long story short, he stopped the diet he was crazy about. He realized that he’ll never be thin because it runs in their blood, being fat is in their genes. His mother has the same body structure that he has. We saw each other just before I entered this class and I just laughed to myself, seeing him again gulping another of litter of Fit n’ Right in his hands.

My friend is just one of the many people who thought that being thin is actually as easy as gulping down a litter of tea and a doze of diet pills or even just a visit away to Belo or Calayan. May of those who are under the spell of diet is actually those who are also under the influence of vices and hopelessly letting themselves believe that they’ll be as healthy as a horse despite the fact that they are doing the exact opposite of what they wanted to become.

Being like cheerleaders are always the fad in American movies. However, if one sees it clearly, cheerleaders are not skinny as we see it, they are just out of fats but more on muscles. Being skinny is far different from being unhealthy. There is a big difference in being fit than being skinny. Being thin is beautiful but is it worth all the sacrifice, is it worth all the starving on have to undergo in order for one to be as sexy as being thin?

The Voice-less Within

anviejezette — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:08:37 +0000

Will Chaba be like Ariel?

There is worst to being voiceless, that is having nobody to voice out the voice in you. How can one forget Ariel of the Little Mermaid who exchanged her beautiful voice to have feet to be with the one she love? However, the problem of the University of the Philippines student body is no fairy tale to be amazed about. The suspension of the Student Regent, the sole representative of the entire student population of the university to the Board of Regents, the highest policy making body of the entire UP system, have caused the worst to the student.

Student Regent Charrise “Chaba” Bañes is faced with yet another difficult time in her term. After the delayed confirmation due to pending cases in UP Los Baños (UPLB), Chaba is once again deprived of being the student’s voice in the BOR. Last December 17, 2009, UP President Emerlinda Roman received a letter from UP Los Baños Chancellor Velasco stating that Bañes is not a bonified student of the university this second semester thus, making her not qualified for the position of being a Student Regent for she is not an official student of the university.

During the BOR meeting last December 18, 2009, the status of Bañes have been discussed and a voting had been made on whether she will become only as an observer or will be allowed to vote for any decision to be made by the body. Five out of the nine members of the Board voted for Bañes to be allowed to vote. Also to this meeting that Gonzales was voted against Alfiler to be the new Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director with five against four votes. Because of this, the legality of the Student Regent Bañes was again put to question. According to them, the vote of Banes was null and void for she is not a bonified student of the university. However, as stated in the UP Charter, a seat in the Board will never be vacated unless with the presence of a successor. Up to the present, Bañes have not yet released any legal statement regarding this matter for she is still consulting with her legal advisers as well.

The students comprise the largest sector of this institution. Student representation is something that the administration have to dully give to ones directly affected with whatever policy or issue that the university faces. The suspension of Banes is a clear manifestation of how the administration disregards the concerns of the students in this university. Bañes, known to be a very critical and vocal person, is not into a battle for herself alone. She is the representative of every student in this university. Thus, making her, a representative of the students they rely on to voice out everything concerning them in this university, the bastion of learning.

Now that the university is facing more controversies such as the planned closing of UP high school in Cebu, PGH director, Tuition and Other Fess Increase and many more, who will voice out the side of the supposed to be most powerful voice in this university? Without our representation in the Board of Regents, who else will go with the sides of the students? With no one going for the students in that Board, there is no way that we can be heard. Like Ariel in The Little Mermaid, who else would proudly profess the love of the students for this institution? Student representation alone can fight for the cause of the students. It is the most effective way of catering the rights and demands of the students.

This is not a battle that Chaba alone needs to face, this is something our long ago students of this university sacrificed their lives for. University of the Philippines is not for the professors of this university, it is for the students who like Oblẻ, wanted to be clothed with knowledge and wisdom. ẞ

Journey to the dorm

anviejezette — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:50:01 +0000

i hope the lights will still be on by midnight...

Imagine yourself in the middle of a forest, walking alone in the middle of the night. Its pitch black, you see nothing but you hear a lot of sounds coming from things you cannot recognize. You felt tired and decided to take a rest, you stumbled to sleep and woke up the next day. Surprised, you find yourself still in the a mountainous area but now at the middle of the road. How did you get in there? It might be that someone found you and brought you to safety without you noticing it or perhaps, you are a student from the University of the Philippines Visayas Miagao campus who was drunk from Omp’s or Bentoy’s the night before struggling to go back to your dorm at the wee hours.

The situation that was presented above was no fairy tale, it is an everyday experience of students from the said university. Dorms, unlike in other universities, is a five minute tricycle ride from the college buildings. As busy students it won’t hurt to enjoy ourselves from the tiring day that we have undergone so we spend time having fun in places like Bentoy’s Place or Omp’s Corner and sometimes would end up having a few drinks to relax ourselves and bond with our friends and classmates. The worst part there is going home at around 11 to 12 in the evening with no available mode of transportation aside from your own feet(lucky if you would still have a pair of slippers or shoes after your inuman session). It would take more or less 20 minutes for ‘normal’ people but for those who are slightly engrossed with the fun of the night, it would more or less be an hour of agonizing walk across the mountainous landscape of the university premises. Somehow, you will enjoy the walk for it will be an extension of the bonding moment with friends and also a bonding with nature because of the vast variety of trees that are along the way. Together with that is the fear and excitement of what awaits you along the walk to the dorm. Many ghost stories have been told about the place and it will be adventure for the group. Along with that are the hundred stories of scary, traumatic and alarming stories of hold-ups and beatings that happened in that long agonizing walk back to out dorms.

Aren’t there street lights? You may ask. But of course! There is. The university provides street lights that would ensure the safety of their precious students back to their dormitories, they care so much that the street lights were beautifully decorated with translucent glass case, placed on one side of the road. It is so beautiful that the lights are dim and the place appears to be like a park in the middle of the forest. It is like a place of total sweetness that even lovers had a lane in there called the ‘lover’s lane’ where they can date without the people passing by see them or in worst case, their shadows are one’s to be seen. I am so glad to belong in this university where the administration is so sweet and caring that it would give their students such a lovely place prone to hold-up and beatings from outsiders because it is an open university. What is so amazing also about the place going to the dorm is that it gets into the theme of the Yuletide Season. The university may not have Christmas lights that would fill the entire place with glittering and colorful lights but it do have an alternative. The university have street lights that goes on and off every time that it appears to be a twinkling source of light that can encompass even the most lovely lights in the city of Pototan.

The adventure however does not just end there. The lights also do the thing my friends and I call the “chasing.” Here’s the catch, go back to the dorm at around 11 to 12 in the evening, start to walk and then after five minutes, the a series of light behind you would all together die out. Walk another five minutes and the same thing happen. So if you walk like a turtle, you better run or else you’ll find yourself in the middle of a wide forest, seeing nothing, hearing strange sounds and eventually with someone at your side holding a knife or a gun probably, telling you to give him your cellular phone and money or else, be found dead the following day in the middle of the road of the university that turns out to be a forest park when the broad daylight disappears.

Christmas Everyday

anviejezette — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:13:11 +0000

I was walking in the dorm area yesterday when I spotted a group of people singing, they jump from one dorm to the other. They wore jackets to combat the cold night and they bear in their faces the smile of warm greetings. Christmas is near yet, without the glittering lights and Christmas decorations, I never felt it coming.

There is something different in this year’s Christmas, it is faced with a lot of social problems and first in the list is poverty. However, it’s amazing how people around me celebrate Christmas despite all the bad news that surrounds them. Peopel can still bear smiles in their faces despite all the horrible things that happened to them. Filipinos can still gather around the christmas table only with a plate of pansit and a pack of cold pandesal. Filpinos can have Christmas trees with only twigs and a few plastic to decorate it. Filipino families would always give gifts to their loved ones despite the economic problem that the country undergoes. Only in the Philippines that Christmas is an ocassion that not only gathers the entire clan but also paves the way for highschool home commings and another year of credit list due to excesive expenses due to the holiday.

Christmas is not just a break for all of us, it also is an occasion that gives us the time to realize that the celebration is not just all about having cheso de bola on out table for noche buena nor completing the simbang gabi in order to make a wish . Christmas is about everything we must be thankful of.

Christmas speaks of so many things like giving love, uniting the family and even helping out to those unfortunate ones. However, why only now that we do these stuffs? Why not we consider everyday as Christmas season in order for us to extend our helping hand? If it is Christmas everyday, I guess, the world around us would be the perfect place to live- peaceful and full of love.

Let everyday be our Christmas and let everyone be our manitos and manitas.

Advance Merry Christmas everyone!