When my world go round

Nung nagtransfer ako sa UP, nag-aalala ako dahil wala akong blockmates na makakasama palagi kapag break time. Yung tipikal na buhay transferee na mag-isa ka lang maglulunch sa mga unang araw tapos magkakaroon ka nga ng kasama pero mga isa o dalawa lang. Sila pa yung mga naging seatmates mo sa class mo. Tapos kapag meron silang get together sa mga blockmates nila, you're left alone. Ang hirap maging tansferee. Sabi nila, mas mahirap daw maging blockless pero I doubt it. You adapt a certain culture from your previous school tapos ngayon ibang buhay na dinadanas mo. Minsan hindi pare-pareho ang point of view ng mga tao from your previous school kaysa sa present. Lalo na't galing ako Mapua at yung mga tao dun are like sosyaleras, taglish, and all. Tapos meron pa silang tradition which is yung pagsshow-off ng mga cars nila. Grabe. Though may kaya naman kami. Ayoko lang din talaga makipagsabayan sa kanila sa ganoong paraan kasi I want to be simple as possible lang. Tapos pagdating ko sa UP, ibang tradisyon naman kung saan ang mga estudyante ay sanay na sa paglalakad, pagkain lang ng mga fishballs sa carts, tapos upu-upo lang sa mga damu-damo at nagbabasa. Hindi ako ganung tao. Well, mahirap pero kailangan. Ito na ang buhay ko ngayon.


There's this certain tradition sa mga minor subjects ng UP. Ito ay yung readings. Sobrang nakakapagod magbasa ng magbasa ng maraming articles, stories, at kung ano pa pero I realize na style ng UP na patalasin ang kaisipan mo sa pagbabasa. Minsan magbibigay sila ng readings na madali sa una, yung tipong hindi ka kaagad aantukin tapos pahirap ng pahirap hanggang sa masanay. Sa ibang schools, walang ganito. Puro papers lang pinapagawa, hinahayaan magresearch ang mga estudyante sa internet knowing na pwede silang magcopy paste lang naman. Eh sa UP hindi, bibigyan ka nila ng article, babasahin mo ito at issynthesize mo. Hindi naman ganito sa lahat ng minor subjects. I'm just saying na may ganitong sistema sa UP na kapag naranasan mo ay siguradong marami kang matututunan. Sa engineering naman, yung engineering sciences nila as compared sa ibang universities ay sobrang iba. Napaka-advantageous ng sa UP kasi hiwalay yung laboratory at lecture ng Engineering sciences. Sa Lec, tuturuan ka nila ng concepts about structures, bars, forces, at marami pang iba. May kasama nang examples yun. Tapos sa laboratory naman, puro lang pagsasagot ang ginagawa. Buong time, nagsasagot lang kayo ng maraming problems about sa lecture. Kaya nahahasa ang skills mo na mag-isip at mag-analyze ng mga structures.

Sa larangan naman ng curricular activities, napakaraming opportunities at events ng UP. Sa dami ba naman ng organizations dito ay siguradong maraming gustong mag-organize ng events na maggegenerate ng pera para sa org nila. Sa org ko, which is UP ACES, marami kaming mga bigating national events kaya hindi na masyadong big deal samin na kailangan maging aligaga ang bawat miyembro na mag-organize ng event kagad kasi may mga nakaset na events na kami for the year na alam naming may papasok na pera sa org katulad ng National CE Summit namin at ilang mga parties. Pero willing yung org namin na mag-organize ng events na bago at makipagtie-up as long as may malaking pera na papasok sa org. Ito ang crucial part ng pagiging miyembro ng isang org. Kailangan mong tugunan ang bawat responsibilities mo in continuing the legacy at yung standards na isinet ng mga alumni for the org. Kakaiba nga talaga ang culture sa UP, napakacompetitive at kumbaga parang mini-business type na kasi may usapang pera, tie-ups, at marketing deals with companies na.

Sa larangan ng trabaho, lalo na pag nagkaroon ng job fair sa UP especially sa engineering, sobrang dagsaan ang mga kumpanya at nag-aagawan sa mga UP students na mapa-apply nila sa companies nila. Kaya chillax nalang mga UP students eh. haha. Alam nilang may mga job fair sa UP na pwede na sila mag-apply at magpasa lang ng resume na hindi na kinakailangan pang pumunta sa company itself. Pero siyempre subjected for interviews pa rin. Pero hindi lahat ganito. May iba na hindi natatanggap pero hindi nangangahulugan na wala ng potential yung student na yun. UP tayo mga sir! :) Kaya if you're a UP student, be proud!

Isa sa mga kakaibang tradisyon na mayroon sa UP ay ang political life ng university. Grabe lang kung mamulitika ang mga kumakandidato for the council whether its a home college or for the whole university. In my case, we have the ESC in engineering at USC for the whole university. Nung tumakbo ako sa council, ako na siguro yung isa sa mga kandidato na hindi nag-isip mamulitika or maglabas ng baho ng isang kalaban to make my campaign work. Hindi ganoon. I wanted a clean fight.  I just thought na hindi kasi talaga effective ang traditional politics dahil ang pangit tignan. Yung ibang kandidato, naglalabasan pa ng mga black propaganda na sisira talaga sa kandidato. Sabi nga nila, ang UP parang mini-Philippines. Tuwing eleksyon, may nagkakapulitikahan talaga. Sad to say, may natatalo dahil sa mga black prop. Hindi ako fully naniniwala na nationalist, at demokratiko ang lahat ng estudyante sa UP. Kaya mayroong mga partido sa school eh. Nariyan ang Stand UP na nananatiling palaban at naniniwala sa kolektibong pagkilos, in short, mga aktibistang tunay. Alyansa na naniniwala sa responsive actions at multi-perspective activism na hindi lahat ng bagay ay nagagawa thru rallies. Paborito ko sana ang Alyansa before except the anti-fraternity representation sa USC nila. Pero naniniwala rin ako sa kanila kasi ganun din akong tao. Hindi ako maaklas pero still there are smart and educated ways to do campaigns. Kaisa naman ay yung namamangka sa dalawang ilog, in short, nag-aaklas pero inclusively lang within the university. Mga Stand UP deny-ers itong mga to haha. Kasi maraming Kaisa ang lumilipat ng Stand UP. Pero I respect their stands on issues kasi isa sila sa mga malilinis makipaglaban tuwing eleksyon. Mga professionals kumbaga. Sa kabila ng lahat, hati parin talaga ang response ng mga estudyante dahil sa kani-kanilang paniniwala at mahirap baliin iyon dahil masyadong matatalino ang mga UP students para maimpluwensiyahan.

My world is going round with so much fond memories, and experiences na naranasan ko sa UP. Now I'm on my fourth year at medyo seryoso na in terms of jobs, internships, at marami pang bagay. Kumbaga, sumasagi na sa utak ko yung mga ganitong pagpaplano dahil dalawang taon nalang graduation na. Iyan ang buhay ko sa UP, narito ang aking mga general experiences and perception of things I see in the university. We, UP students, always abide with Honor and Excellence.

Here's my AVP when I ran for the council. With my own principles, I continue to serve the people.

Where did it all begin?

It started when I transferred to UP Diliman. I was scared to say good bye to Mapua because my original blockmates were here and we had a lot of experiences together. Playing computer games, eating at Kantunan, hanging out at the Walls of Intramuros, and many more. But, I was instructed by my parents to take chances and submit my application to UP Diliman since I'm a Magna Standing in Mapua. Then, I tried to apply to UP in three courses as required: (1) Civil Engineering, (2) Mechanical Engineering, and (3) Architecture. I was highly recommended in Engineering since my math subjects are above average. I was also accepted in Architecture since I got the highest entrance exam (plate) score. However, I still chose Civil Engineering because I know I have a passion for this course and will give me a brighter future.

On my first day, I felt the saddest day in school where I had no one to talk to every free time. Got no one to have lunch with. I had my first PE subject on my first semester in UP. It was Duck Pin Bowling. I met Angel Gacutan, an ACES member and my first CE friend. As we walk together after class, she asked me what my course was. I told her Civil Engineering. And she was delighted and invited me to apply in UP ACES. But the application sign ups were finished and the process are on-going. So I told her that I will apply next sem.

I had my first glimpse when I visited UP ACES the following sem. I had no idea what an org was. Yes, way back in mapua, I was invited in this Honor Society. It was not actually an org but rather a group of honor students. So I had no idea what an application process was. As days pass by, I met my future batchmates. We had the best days of our lives during the application process. Lots of memories to tell. Lots of experiences to begin with. But what I will tell the readers of this journal was the best memory I had during the process. My Co-apps. After our application process, I had some ups and downs but as months pass by, I learned to be humble. It is a batch effort. I love 10B. Thanks to UP ACES.

This organization is not just an Org. It is a family. There are times that when I see a lot of members in our tambayan, I keep quiet and just seeing everyone happy, makes my whole day already. I'm not a "pabida" type of person but I am very proud to be a member of ACES. The learnings I had and the trainings they offer their members are the best. It is one of my inspiration why I ran for the council because I feel like, how I serve the members of my org will be a lesson for me to serve the college as well. I am not abiding fully from STAND UP principles. As i ran for the council, one of my principles that inspired me was the lessons I learned in UP ACES. And that molded me on my way in the campaign period. It's not about winning. It's about the continuous learnings you will get on the process and how you will serve the college in your OWN way and not what the party tells you.

In UP ACES, we had past times like drinking, smoking, though I don't smoke. Despite of all these vices, this org teaches its members to be strong and be mindful every step of the way. They teach the members to be vocal and let knowledge and experience burst out. Their mind set is the members' future after graduation. That's one of the purpose of this org. To improve the growth and professionalism of its members. The prestige being known as the org with the most number of  national events in the college was so fulfilling. Handling events was the prime grounds of ACES to teach the young members to handle life's pressure in all situations and in every people they will meet in the future. Were are strong and we are the future. I certainly believe that i'm in the right organization. Right fellow students. Right Family.

When did it all begin? Hmm. Before I was shy, very close-minded to opportunities, and was contended of the grades I get and friends I had but, ACES taught me to be open to every endeavors the college offers. However, I got some trainings to finish and be a role model to future aspiring applicants of UP ACES. I will always remember that wherever I go, ACES principles will lead me. Solid. Bigtime. Forever. Yeah.

UP ACES
Batch 10B

UP ACES Sem Ender (April 2-3, 2012)

The Beauty of Buses

As we all know that Buses are one of the most effective transportation devices in the Philippines. Why? Not all places are accessible to LRT/MRT, jeepneys are mostly used in short trips unless its rented, and taxi's are not affordable to everyone. The geometry of buses can bring at least 50-60 people on one trip. Some buses have aircon and others have none. Some have new seats and others have.. well, i don't want to describe haha. You make your own judgment. But, what inspires me to write about the life inside a bus is the atmosphere and peacefulness it gives to passengers like me.

I study in UP Diliman, College of Engineering. During the weekdays, I go to school for my classes. The usual transpo routine I have everyday include buses. The moment I enter the bus, I always look for available seats. Very random I must say. The beauty of buses is that, it allows you to think as many thoughts you have before you get off. There's this certain quality about buses that gives you peace even for a short time.

I always think of my to do list for the day before I arrive to school. Will I go to the library and study, hang around in UP ACES (best org I've ever had), or will I meet my girlfriend and eat lunch with her if she's available. Lots of thoughts, can't sort. When I have an exam on that day especially if its a Saturday, I always think of ES 13 whether if I will pass the exam, will I be able to answer it on time, will I blank out, or will I fart whatever. ES 12 for Mondays. Same goes with ES 13, will I pass, will I blank out, the usual. Before I don't consider myself as an average student because when I studied in Mapua since I'm a transferee, I'm a Magna Cum Laude standing. Then when I transferred to UP, my first year able me to become a Cum Laude standing. But as sems gone by, I just became an ordinary average student having a GWA of 1.8-1.9. Won't tell you the exact, its confidential haha. Moving on, I'm a GC person. There came a point that I'm sitting in the bus, thinking about what grade will I get in the subject, I bring out my sci-cal and calculate my assumed grade for the course. Yes, people. I'm computing grades while I'm in the bus. That's the beauty of buses. You can think everything.

There was a moment I was so bothered about the exam. I was sitting in the bus on my way home, I saw this note in front of me,

                   "092056743xx, Imma cute gurl, text me, meet me, mwah."

I was like, what the fuck? Well, its normal. Vandalism is normal for people in public places unfortunately. I saw this note once in a CR at CAL (College of Arts and Letters),

                   " I masturbate to his image <then a picture beside it>"

There are people who are bored with their lives haha. Moving on. It was very distracting for an hour or hour and a half of travel time in the bus and all you can see is the note written by some bored person. That's the beauty of buses, it's democratic.

I also want to share what I saw in the bus once. I saw this sticker note or whatever they call it. Its actually a friendly sign to everyone and a reminder.

                     "No ticket, No pay."

I don't know if I understand it well, but the message I got from the note was, "Walang ticket, Hindi ka babayaran." HAHA. Later I realized, that it was actually, "Walang ticket, Walang bayad." If they've written it as, "No pay, No ticket." Then, it would be clear that they will not receive any ticket if they hadn't pay the right fare. That's the beauty of Buses, there's a lot of stupidity, still you're the only one experiencing it. HAHA.

For everyone who drives a car on the way to school. Don't waste the opportunity to ride a bus and see the nature of it. Not only its affordable, but also a time for you think about anything you want. It's a free country. But not a free bus. :) Still, a peaceful transportation device (with aircon). Haha.

Every breath you take

There is a brighter side to every story. Lagi nating tatandaan iyan. Minsan nagkakamali ang mga tao at dumarating sa punto na nagiging martir na sila sa mga kasalanan na nagawa nila for the sake of humility. Bakit nga ba kailangan maging humble sa lahat ng bagay? Bakit kailangan na ibaba ang sarili, aminin kaagad ang mali with little explanation without being defensive? Sabi nga nila, less talk, less mistake. Pero I doubt it. Sa mundong ito, hindi nawawalan ng point of view ang mga tao. In the first place, kaya nagkakaroon ng side to every story ay dahil magkakaiba ang perception ng tao sa mga bagay. Hindi man maging vocal ang mga tao na kailangan sabihin nila ito to let every one know na ito ang pinaniniwalaan nila. Merong iba na tahimik lang. Tahimik na hindi sumasang-ayon sa mga bagay na nakikita niya. Ano nga ba ang tama? Pipiliin mo na lang ba manahimik at maging safe o maging vocal at magtake ng risk na magkamali?

Every breath you take, you have to take the risk. I take chances. That's why mas gusto kong maging vocal at magkamali dahil I don't want to have any regrets na hindi ko nasabi ito or hindi ko nagawa ito. And yes, you did commit some mistakes but it's part of life that you have to deal with. You can be humble. But you can never let yourself beaten up by others opinion. You have to have some sense of direction. And that comes from being vocal. Take chances. Risks in life will never give you freedom. These are learning experiences that you have to know and realize. Thus, always think that there is a brighter side to every story.