Merry Christmas! ü

Life is stronger than death. Love is stronger than any evil possible.

-Fr. Ben Nebres, last night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu

During this season, let us allow ourselves to be filled with the love of God, as we celebrate the birth of the greatest proof of His love for us. Merry Christmas everyone!ü

"but i'm a girl"

One of my teachers this sem who is absolutely great said this and I love it. :)) :D

I don't want to be inconsistent but I'm a girl so I can change my mind.

//comments. :D

Learned from Blogger Buzz:

After just two short weeks of testing on Blogger in draft, OpenID commenting is now available for all Blogger blogs. This means that your friends and readers can leave authenticated comments on your blog using their blog URLs from OpenID-enabled services such as WordPress.com, LiveJournal, and AOL Journals, or with their AOL/AIM accounts.

Study

I saw this on someone's shirt last sem and it screamed and still screams at me, "Clarisse, magaral ka!" Hahaha. :))

The desire to win is important but the desire to prepare is essential.

why?

Why is it that I end up really drained after EVERY Math long test?

Really, really, really tired right now. My heart rate is so high. I'm afraid I might be one of those people prone to having a heart attack at an early age. Haaay. Kaya I'm writing this senseless blog entry na lang hoping I'd become stable soon. :p

Oh oh oh! Guess what book I'm reading right now. "Filipino Youth in Special High Schools: A survey of Senior Students of Philippine Science High School, Philippine High School for the Arts and O.B. Montessori High School"

Sobrang natuwa ako nung nakita ko sa library. Just felt like sharing. :)

Tuned In

Tuned In Youth Camp
November 29-December 1
God’s Love Resort, San Mateo, Rizal

It’s amazing how a group of people can go through the same experience and gain a wide variety of realizations from it. Sa sobrang galing ni God, kahit isa lang ang nangyayari, kaya niya tayo kausapin personally.

When ate Noreen asked me to share for talk 1, I was quite apprehensive. I thought to myself, “Anong ishashare ko? Puro stress at pagod lang ang naiisip ko ngayon.” It took me some time before I replied. I heard Mass. Afterwards, I realized “Pag sinabi mo Clarisse na wala kang mashare sa God’s love para mong sinabi na hindi mo pa nararamadaman ang pagmamahal ni God. Ang kapal ng mukha mo para sabihin ‘yun.” I said yes despite the fact that I still had no idea what to share. I then proceeded to write a 1 page paper for 3 hours, celebrating a blockmate’s birthday, and then finding out that I made a mistake in my paper and had to edit it. I arrived at the camp meeting place really tired.

I spoke to ate Noreen and she told me, “You have a whole life journey to share.” Pray-over. Spoke with Kuya Paul and Kuya Kevin. Nothing. And so I sat down and prayed, looking back and trying to remember when I felt God’s love the most. He reminded me of last sembreak. Right in my seat, while listening to Kuya Paul’s talk and remembering that break, tears fell from my eyes.

All throughout the camp, sinabi niya sa akin, Clarisse, imperfect as you are, I love you. No matter how imperfectly you praise me, how at times you forget to listen, how at times you take all the credit for yourself and how you allow your pride to surface, I love you and I will be at your side.

Ang sarap maramdaman nun.

As Ate Mika said during the processing of the camp, sobra na lang kung hindi pa kami maniwala kay God sa lahat ng nangyari. Narealize ko ang tanga tanga ko lang kung hindi ko narinig ang sinasabi sa akin ni God. Mahal niya ako.

And then I recall what was asked during the faci training or worship workshop, what keeps you coming back to YFC? Sagot: God’s love again.

Tama si Jason. Whenever I allow myself to be used by God, I receive much more than I even give.

Ang sarap magsilbi kay God kasi kung tutuusin, hindi ka mababawasan, hindi posibleng mapagod. First and foremost, everything in you is from God. Whatever it is I believe I’m giving is actually from Him. He’s so generous that when you answer His call to be His instrument, He just fills you up even more. As we always hear in YFC, the love He has for us is overflowing.

When you have an eternal source of love like Him, how in the universe could you possibly run out? How could you possibly get tired of doing this?

And that love that God floods us with is also the reason why I feel totally comfortable and at home in YFC.

In YFC, we know we’re imperfect and that we sometimes forget or just neglect the presence of God in our lives. Hindi naman kasi constant yung ganitong high, hindi naman kasi lagi na sigurado akong love ako ni God at aalagaan niya ako, hindi naman laging walang doubt. Pero ‘pag kasama mo yung mga tao na ipapaalala lang sayo through their lives, their friendship and their constant effort to surpass any struggle with their faith na there is a God at na walang hihigit sa mga times na ramdam na ramdam mo lang yung pagmamahal ni God, grabe lang. Like what I shared during the amazing race, kahit alam mo na mahirap, hindi ka mapapagod kasi ang gaan ng pakiramdam when you’re with these people.

It’s not the safest family to be in – not even for our faith. Kasi kung tutuusin, malakas ang oppressions na binabato at YFC’s way. But one thing’s for sure, difficult times are made easier by people who remind you of God’s love.

With that, thank you:

Batchmates, ang saya niyo kasama sobra. I’m looking forward to spending 3+ more years in this org and a lifetime of friendship and shared prayers. Go freshies. :)

Kuyas and ates, thank you! I will say it again. God told me that it was my role at that moment to continue praying. I always have the urge to help out when things go wrong. Plus being the pasaway that I am, I could have ignored God’s message. But I was able to pray during that time because I knew you were there taking care of everything else. I never cease learning from all of you. Thank you too for the support and prayers. It feels great to know there are people beside us and willing to watch our back in this never-ending spiritual journey. You are living witnesses of how God works wonders in people’s lives.

I feel truly blessed to be in the YFC-Ateneo family.

God for bringing me here, for Your love, for choosing me as your instrument despite my shortcomings. Thank you!

La Cucaracha

I learned this in Spanish class yesterday.

La cucaracha translates to cockroach.

Why in the universe is there a song about cockroaches? :o

I'm sorry. Just had to share how disturbing it was for all of us in class to finally discover what la cucaracha in the famous song meant.

"Fall in love, stay in love."

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."

Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ
14 November 1907-2007 -> Celebrating the Centenary of His Birth
25th Superior General of the Society of Jesus

SCA Kyut Kamp. :D

11.09.2007 - 11.11.2007
PSHS MPG.
Pictures in my multiply.

So many things I can say about the event. Great way to end the sembreak. I was sooo blessed. I miss all of you. It was a wonderful feeling being reunited with the family.

SCA Core. SCA '08 (ates and kuyas). SCA '09 old people. Iya, Rap, Gabby, Krizelle, Jaja, Tone, Angel, Lissan, JB, Leah, Jay, Ian, Josh, Apollo, Kevin, Jio. Great, great job. Thank you so much for having us. Thank you for continuing to serve and take care of SCA. Your love for God and passion to share that with others is overwhelming. It was great seeing you guys again. Unexplainable joy ang nafeel ng heart ko seeing you all. :) I love the carolling. Ang galing galing lang na game kayo lahat at sobrang hindi nauubusan ng energy. :D

Fr. Mon, Ma'am Caps, Ate Tin, Ma'am Aimee, Ma'am Rachel, Ma'am Osit, Sir Taf and Sir new teacher. Thank you rin po. :D Thank you for being the people who inspired out batch and are continuing to inspire other batches with your faith, love, concern and patience for all of us.

'11. Though none of you will probably see this, welcome to the SCA family! May you experience God's love through this family and share it with the rest of the Pisay community. I'm excited for all of you. Sobrang ngayon pa lang kita na ang inyong enthusiasm. :)

SCA '07 core. Ben, Cecile, Dane, Fatima, Greggy, Ivy, Jason, Karizz, Lester, Nico, Ray2, Rob, Tin. I missed all of you. Thank you for being there. Thank you for the fun obstacle courses, card games, oc arrangement of food, oc meals and last bites. Thank you for the company. I feel really happy and secure when I'm with all of you. Thank you for the conversations. I never cease learning from you. I love you all. <3 style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Buong SCA '07. We should have a reunion camp or something. :D Para makapagkamustahan. :)

God, thank you for gracing the camp. Thank you for being there with us. All the love that I felt was from you. I know too that the overwhelming joy I feel when I am with these people is because of Your love that's in the center of it all. Thank you! :D We love you. <3

all over again. :)

I've said "If only I had the chance to do it all over again, I'd probably do much better" quite a number of times in my life.

Of course, I usually don't have the chance to do things all over again. I feel pretty funny now that I have the opportunity. It's like God saying, "There you are. Now you really have to do better. :D" :))

SOSS? I'd probably be there if I weren't in SOSE. But I love SOSE! <3 Haha.

What Ateneo de Manila University "school" fits you best? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as School of Social Sciences you are fit for SOSS. you love tie dyes and cobwebbs. you wear the horn glasses or strappy earings./ you want to change the world. you believe in man. you love to connect and interact, you are special yet you don't cut yourself out from the masses. your a patriot. School of Social Sciences 57% School of Science and Engineering 43% School of Management 36% School of Humanities 29%

Hmmm. Interesting. Though I don't agree with the tie dye, cobwebbs, glasses and earings, I agree with everything else. *wonders what the description of SOSE majors is* As I said in the title, I could have been in SOSS taking up Eco, MEco, Philo or PolSci. But I love CS and the people in SOSE! <3>

Yum!

I just have to say everyone must taste the Banoffee Pie of Banapple.

It's really good. It has thick caramel something. I'm sorry I don't know how to describe food. It's only P65/slice and P480/whole. You'll really fall in love with it. I promise.



Banapple is at 225 Katipunan Avenue, Blue Ridge, QC.






Oh, and before you leave, make sure to buy a Banana-Apple Sweet Bread @ P110/loaf to bring home. Every time my mom buys one, it gets consumed in less than a day. Those are the only two products I've tasted from that place and I'm already in love. Friends, let's go to Banapple, please! :D

Source: ClickTheCity.com

Entrusted to Serve. Entrusted to Lead. :D

*Thank you Don for the picture.

So I was blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of ASLA Batch 6. Since the filing of application, every step has been a wild ride for me.

When I attend events that truly overwhelm me, I either write extremely long blog entries about them or extremely brief ones. I'm choosing the latter this time.

The Ateneo Student Leaders Assembly gave me a chance to learn more about my leadership. It allowed me to meet a bunch of inspiring people who really want to make a difference in this world through service. I treasure meeting people like that. I've met quite a number in '07, Pisay and YFC. Only here in ASLA, everyone had the chance to talk and the chance to assess ourselves, our communities, our commitment, our reason and our leadership with one another. It was awesome.

I've expressed my thank you's in my multiply. I love you, all. :D

Praise God! He is the reason why I have become me and He gave me this opportunity. :D

Subic training.

I was supposed to write a super long and dramatic entry about the Subic training but I loved Ate Meki's blog entry about it so hindi na lang. :))

Instead of surfing, eating and sleeping all day to enjoy the sembreak, 22 students, 4 trainers and 2 DISCS staff decided to go to Subic to program.

We were in Subic for 4 days from Monday noon to Thursday afternoon. Our sched went like this. Breakfast. 5-hour morning contest. Lunch. Discussion. 5-hour afternoon/evening contest. dinner. discussion. sleep. get words of wisdom from our coaches and eat lots of junk food in between.

It was very tiring. There were so many things I didn't understand. I got headaches. And the closest thing we got to a Subic vacation was the walk we had during the second day.

But now, I miss Subic. I loved the place. The house had a centralized airconditioning system. The girls had a large room. The people were amazing. I learned there is SO MUCH more I have to learn so that I could program well. It was a dream come true for me - being with great schoolmates and being taught by some of the best programmers in the country.

As Ate Meki's blog entry enumerated everyone:

Thank you Jason, Ivan, Kuya Jay, Kuya Wil, Jim, Kuya Byron, Kuya Richard, Ate Liza, Kuya Liban, Ate Meki, Kuya Alvin, Kuya Jam, Kuya David, Kuya Pong, Miggy, Janssen, Chester, Ate Danna, Kuya Thomas, Kuya Jejo, Ate Wimbie.

I had lots of fun. Akala ko maoop kami kasi freshies kami pero sobrang everyone was really nice. It was a great experience for me to have been in the midst of really great programmers. Sobrang I was inspired to do well in my studies and in practicing programming. I enjoyed the nerdy jokes, the morning exercise and eating junk food like crazy with all of you. :)

Thank you to our trainers. Doc Mana, Doc V, Sir Akie, Sir Eric. I was overwhelmed by the discussions. Haha. But I feel so blessed to have had been trained and taught by the best. Sobrang generous niyo po lahat for sharing your time and super programming knowledge and talents with us. And thank you for your jokes and words of wisdom. :))
//Doc Mana, thank you for organizing everything, being patient with us and for the loads of laughter. :)
//Sir Akie, thank you so much for the advice. We were already getting discouraged until you told us about your ACM training experiences. Thank you po.

Thank you to as ate Meki put it, "DISCS ladies." Haha. Thank you for taking care of us. :D

Though you weren't there with us, Ma'am Rodrigo, thank you for the support and constant encouragement. We are all blessed to have a super nice and loving professor and DISCS chair. We love you, ma'am.

God, thank you! :D Sobrang dami mong blessings na binibigay. :D

In other news.

I just realized that there are more news about the eagles here than about me so I'm redirecting the focus. Actually, this is also because there's very little Eagles news left to tell after the season ended. Hahaha.

- I decided to stay home and program or at least push myself to program instead of going to the Bantay Bata UAAP-NCAA All Star Game today. Yes. I'm surprised by myself. Even if I'll end up watching here at home, I still missed out on the chance to watch live because I'd rather stay home and try to multitask than be at the Arena and dedicate the entire 4 hours for the festivities.

- I'm officialy on sembreak. I'm just one paper away from completing all my 1st sem requirements.

- I am going to miss my teachers. I was blessed enough to have some of the best teachers I could ever have for the subjects I took up this sem. Kaya for sure, mamimiss ko sila ng sobra.

- A ako sa PE. Yay! :)) Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, Physical Fitness for Women ang PE ko. In other words, weight training. So yes kahit hindi kasama sa computation ng QPI(sana nga kasama na lang e. haha) ang PE, I'm proud to get an A. :D

- Hindi masyado kagandahan ang aking Random number but I still hope I get a PE class that I like.

- I won't be able to go online as often for the next two weeks because as I said before, this sem break is very promising. I'm soo excited. Wala lang. I just wanted to share. lol. :p

Uhmm. I think that's all. Ray2 and Fatima, kailan na? Greggy, finish planning na, please! :D

Block N, I'll miss all of you. Ang drama ng pagbye namin last Thursday. Lol. Parang ang tagal hindi magkikita. Haha.

Enjoy the sembreak everyone! :D

This explains why Chris Tiu was in the Pacquiao match.

Ok. I'm procrastinating again. But this is something I really have to share. I reached this random blog who apparently got this from ate meki (2-bs cs). naamaze lang ako. haha.

apparently, when my dad and mom told me they saw chris tiu's name as sk chairman somewhere (di ko maalala where e. hehe.), it was really him. And now I know why he was in the Pacquiao-Barrera match. GMA is so lucky.

CHRIS TIU IS NOW A KAPUSO!
By Noel Ferrer

Christopher John Alandy-Dy Tiu or Chris Tiu, 23 years old, captain ball and star player of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, a Management Engineering major, an honor student, a budding entrepreneur, SK chairman and occasional model will finally set foot on television for a pioneering primetime television show under the Kapuso Network!

But before anchoring his show whom he topbills with sports icon Manny Pacquiao, he is set to fly to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao-Barrera match which will be aired over GMA-7 this Sunday. This is quite an opportunity for this young achiever who has been presented with a lot of program concepts — and who has finally found something that would fit his multi-tasks as student, basketball player, SK chairman and young businessman. While the UE Warriors are up against the La Salle Archers in the UAAP basketball championship, the country stops for the Pacquiao-Barrera fight with an Atenean sportsperson in the front row — Chris Tiu — soon to be conquering a new arena — media! Good luck Chris!

i SPEAK:

GMA Executive Annette Gozon-Abrogar and I are about the happiest people with Chris’s entry in media. As a fellow Management Engineering major like Chris, Annette sees Chris Tiu’s excellence in his fields of endeavor as a good inspiration to the youth and to parents who would want their children to be like Chris.

His media stint is a perfect way to affect more people positively. In an interview with Chris in a magazine, he mentioned a very admirable guiding principle. Chris said, "Success should not be seen as an end, but as a means. The more you’ve achieved, the bigger your responsibility to share it to others. For example, if you are a successful businessman, you should use this opportunity to help other people, by being a just boss who pays fair wages and gives benefits. Use your achievements to help other people, so that they in turn could use what they’ve accomplished in the service of more."

Congratulations La Salle.

Congratulations

De La Salle University Green Archers
UAAP Season 70 Senior Men's Basketball Champions

Jayvee Casio
and
Cholo Villanueva
Season 70 Finals MVPs

Jayvee Casio

and

Rico Maierhofer

UAAP Season 70 Senior Men's Basketball Mythical 5 Members

Franz Pumaren's great coaching skills have not yet died. Aside from those 3 players with awards, team captain TY Tang did a great job as well. He was a good leader and he soo helped the team beat UE during the first game and Ateneo during their last game. Jayvee Casio is now officialy Finals boy. He's at his very best when it truly, truly matters, the Finals. Haha. Congratulations!

La Salle knew how to stop their opponents, at the most crucial times. Despite the fact that they're Ateneo's rivals, I know that they totally deserve the win because of their intelligence on the hardcourt and hardwork. UE and Ateneo didn't make it easy for them to get to where they are but they got there so congratulations! As a former Archers supporter, I am genuinely happy for them. :D Just don't expect ADMU and UE to make it easy for them to defend the crown next season. :p

Congratulations ADMU.

Run-down of the Ateneo Basketball Awardees of UAAP Season 70:

Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles
Season 70 Senior Men's Basketball Second Runner-up

Christopher John Alandy-Dy Tiu

of the Ateneo Blue Eagles
Season 70 Senior Men's Basketball Mythical 5 Member

As I've never tired of saying in this blog, Congratulations Blue Eagles. You make us extremely proud! Our team captain definitely deserves to be awarded for all he has done for our team. I'm glad he got the recognition. Since according to Desa he was watching the Pacquia-Barrera match in the US(haha), he sent his brother Charles to receive the award for him. Todo smile si Charles kanina. Haha.

Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles
UAAP Season 70 Women's Basketball Champion

Cassy Tioseco
of the Ateneo Lady Eagles
UAAP Season 70 Women's Basketball
Mythical 5 Member
and
Most Valuable Player

This season, I watched only the 2nd game of the finals where they took the crown for the 2nd time in 3 years. I've watched them in their finals appearances in the previous years and they are just amazing. Cassy Tioseco has been someone I remembered ever since. And now that I'm in Ateneo, I'm extra glad that Cassy is once again MVP and that the Lady Eagles are Champions. Congratulations! Oh! And congratulations to our INTACT classmate, Sarah Mercado of the Lady Eagles too. It was our honor to have had you as our classmate.

Ateneo De Manila High School Blue Eaglets
UAAP Season 70 Juniors' Basketball 1st Runner-up

Jaumi Tiongson
and
Jayvee Dumrique
of the Ateneo Blue Eaglets
UAAP Season 70 Juniors' Basketball Mythical 5 Members

The first time I watched a Juniors game was during the televised 2nd game of the finals. I noticed a Dumrique who looked like my English blockmate, turns out Jayvee is his brother. I can't believe I have an English blockmate who has a brother in one of the Ateneo basketball teams and I didn't know. It's so uncharacteristic of my tsismosa self when it comes to UAAP matters. Haha. :)). Anyway, they were really, really good. I only watched one game and though they loss during overtime, I saw how great the Ateneo Juniors team is. I'm seriously excited if that's how the future of Blue Eagles basketball would look like.

Animo Ateneo!!! The future looks good and bright in blue and white. :)

Lit entry. CS project.

That entry before this (My non-fiction take on fiction) was for our group's pakulo for our Lit major paper. Haha. But since it's already here and fatima commented on it, might as well keep it. Haha.

Fatima, i'll lend you pa our reader. Sobrang ganda talaga. =)

Almost the entire block has had similar ym stat messages since last night. We so want to finish this CS project already. I really enjoy programming but when it comes to stuff where I have to apply a little bit of creativity, I get confused about what I really want to do. God bless Block N!:D This is just the start. :)) Kaya natin 'to.

My non-fiction take on fiction. :p

I have loved reading since I was a kid. I was almost always in the Best Borrower’s list in elementary. But as I got busier in school, I had less time to enjoy fiction. Whenever I had time to read novels, I enjoyed it. But something was lacking. I felt like I never really got anything new. I’ve read so many books. Even if the events were new, the style and the way in which I could absorb the lessons were more or less, the same.

But Lit 13 class totally changed that. I was exposed to stories I’ve never read before. And since the sem is about to end, I guess it’s time I actually wrote something in my blog about what has been happening in my academic life.

Lit 13 came as a pleasant surprise. I knew from the first meeting that I would be challenged. But I knew from that first day that there was never going to be a dull moment in this subject.

We started by discussing the History of Story. Though many people think story is dead and nothing else could be done with it, this isn’t true. How could story be dead when humans have the natural tendency to share? I could totally relate. I go to school in the morning to talk about the new things I’ve learned about the Blue Eagles and Chris Tiu. I come home and tell my family about my day. I, then go to my computer and blog about the things that would take too long to tell each of my high school friends about and my joys or disappointments after a UAAP game. After that, I go and watch television to see the wide variety of TV series that I could watch. I didn’t need much convincing that the story was not dead.

But is written fiction not dead? Could I still read something and be totally surprised? Could I read a book and not correctly guess what was going to happen next?

All the stories in Lit class answered me with a resounding “yes.” A dog crying. A lady ready to die but finds love at the end. A kid dying while playing hide-and-seek. A spooky retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. A family full of incestuous affairs. A lady buying more than 60 pots for girls to use when they have to go. Indeed, there were a lot of things that could still surprise me.

There were also those stories that didn’t make sense. A man wanting to gather a bouquet of blue eyes for his girlfriend. Going through all the memories of a man before he died. But then Lit class taught me that there’s always something deeper in every story. Though I knew this before, I never had to go that deep with the stories I read or maybe I just never chose to. Now, I learned that every event and every detail means a great deal because they wouldn’t be in the story if they meant nothing.

Fiction is truly an art form. It will never run out of possibilities just as there is no end to the possibilities in our life. Fiction shows us that we don’t have only two roads to choose from, there is an infinity of choices. Fiction shows that there are a lot of details in our life that can be closely read so that we could find meaning in it. My questions about whether I could still enjoy reading was answered.

And now, there are only two questions about fiction left unanswered. (1)Do the authors really aim to give a “meaning” when they write or do we just aim to find a meaning? J (2)Will I ever be able to write fiction? J I am only probably a few inspiring short stories and novels from finding out.

Ateneo doughnuts.

I just found a gazillion other Ateneans who wrote dramatic entries about this season. Haha. But it shouldn't surprise me nga because I've heard a lot of dramatic comments around campus. :)) One thing's common. We thought it was an amazing season. Hats off to the Blue Eagles.

But this entry is about the Krispy Kreme Ateneo Doughnuts. Actually, I just wanted to share the pictures. They're good. And they look so cute too. Buy Ateneo doughnuts!!! haha. :))

//Thanks to tin for the picture. And to alyssa for the doughnuts. :D

Before I let go.

Before I let go, I have to write about it.

I tried to totally let go yesterday. But coming to school today, I knew no one was going to make me forget. Lol.

The loss to La Salle yesterday ended our season.

La Salle unarguably played well. They guarded Chris Tiu, Ford Arao and almost absolutely everyone every second of the game. I was once a La Salle fan and their press was something I truly admired about their game. Being on the other side this time, I appreciate it even more because I know how much it hurts to watch your team struggle to break that press.

I know that it's basketball and that La Salle defense cannot be used to justify the way the Eagles played yesterday. It wasn't one of their best days and it was very evident.

I am a fan who has so much faith in the team and so much more importantly, in God. We were in 5th place at a certain point but I knew it wasn't impossible for us to improve our standing this season. I had faith they could get to the finals and eventually win.

Since I first watched live as our team lost to La Salle, I realized how much heart our team had. As I've mentioned in my previous entry, whenever I read the Blue Eagles Bulletin by Rick Olivares and watched the videos that came with them, I grew even more in love with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Imagine knowing both an Araneta Colliseum usher and UST Coach Pido Jarencio honor the team for their heart. Knowing that the "pusong Atenista" was proven by our players in the way they lifted themselves from 5th place and from losing a twice to beat advantage to winning against La Salle thrice in 5 very exciting games in one season and to being just 5 points away from entering the Finals, I know I have a lot of reasons to smile and be happy.

And if I cry, it's because I know the team would have wanted to move on and it's because we lost an opportunity. But I know in my heart that the team fought well until the very end, and that's all that matters. Quoting Rick Oliveros once again: "But they went down fighting and sometimes that’s all you can ever ask. "

It may seem illogical to put so much of your school pride on the line whenever your team plays on the court. A school may seem shallow for being united by mere "guys wearing baggy shorts shooting hoops." It may seem stupid to feel so connected to a group of people whom you've never even talked to and probably never will. But now I understand. Imagine a common desire, a common passion, a common joy, a common hurt and a common prayer shared by a community of around 10,000 people. It's almost impossible not to be drawn into that much energy. You just feel the school spirit. You can smell it in the air during the UAAP season. And it's not only because you see almost everyone wearing blue during game days even if not everyone is going to watch live.

At the start of the school year, there were still some doubts as to whether I was going to be happy in the Ateneo. There were some doubts as to whether this was the school I wanted to be associated with and to attach to my name forever. As shallow as those statements above as I may seem, the UAAP was a part of how I now know for sure I'd rather be in no other school.

Contrary to what I planned to do, I'm not letting go. I'm holding on to this mixed feeling of joy and disappointment. Because this helped me know with so much finality that I will never grow tired of saying "Ang sarap maging Atenista," singing "Mary for you, for your white and blue. We pray you keep us Mary constantly true," and shouting "Win or lose, it's the school we choose."

I love being an Atenean! :D And now, I shall go study so that I could remain an Atenean. lol. :))

Read up.

Going over the Blue Eagle Bulletins by Rick Olivares, I have grown to love the team more as I read to see what happens when the players are not on the court and to hear what I don't hear the players say on the court when I watch live or on TV. I have quoted an excerpt of his article regarding our first loss to La Salle this season.

Here are some of the other excerpts that I loved as well. Read them and tell me why I shouldn't be proud to be Atenean. Much better than that, stop reading this blog entry, read the full bulletins and watch the videos that come with them:

From Blue Eagles Bulletin #16: Live and let die (Step-ladder game against UST):

...Ateneo coach Norman Black before the game. “No doubt it was doubly disappointing because we didn’t get the job done also against La Salle. Now it’s a long, hard road, but I figure we have a lot of fight left in us. We’d like nothing more than another crack at moving on.”

As the Blue Eagles retreated to their locker room to change into their game uniforms, one of the Araneta Coliseum ushers had this to say, “Mas magaling yung players ng UST, pero sa puso, [mas magaling ang] Ateneo talaga (UST’s players are good, but when it comes to playing with passion, Ateneo’s players are better).”

Eric Salamat: “We’re sorry we lost the second seed, but we’ve got another chance. We’re going to give that one big fight. Now it’s La Salle.”

And ever the classy coach, Jarencio, paid tribute to Ateneo after the game. “Never i-underestimate ang pusong Atenista (Never underestimate the heart of an Atenean).”

From Blue Eagles Bulletin #17: Cliffhanger (Sept.27 game against DLSU):

Before the start of the game in the Upper A section of the coliseum’s southside, a group in blue and white held up high a sign that drew much derision and catcalls from their opposites in green who were just an arm’s length away.

“We beat you twice and we’ll do it again.”

We’re about to find out. Here we go again and I’ll see you on Sunday.

From Final Blue Eagles Bulletin: Remember the Titans:

There was some hope in the air when Baclao hit a bail out trey to cut down the lead 62-60, but the gallant Blue Eagles who refused to go away, who were frustrated time and again by spotty officiating, and who were tired from a grueling uphill climb dating back to the rubber match to determine the second seed, simply exhausted its endgame magic.

The season where we overachieved and dared to dream was over 65-60 to La Salle.

As the team faced the blue gallery for the singing of the alma mater hymn for the last time in this UAAP basketball season, I felt the tears burn my eyes. I held them back last year as the last person left in an abandoned Araneta Coliseum refusing to go home with the lights almost out. Last night I let a couple trail down. It isn’t even losing to La Salle. I think I’m beyond that. It’s the manner in which they lost -- robbed of an opportunity to play on even terms. But they went down fighting and sometimes that’s all you can ever ask.

If you look at my pre-season preview of the team, I thought well our chances and penciled them for a final four berth. I liked them then and I sure like them now.

So if you come across a fellow Atenean who is grieving like you and me, tell him or her, chin up because there’s good reason to believe.

Animo Ateneo!

Priceless win. 65-64.

We were at the Araneta a while ago. Once upon a time, I blogged about stats, my humble analysis, and the analysis of the other sports experts around. But now, there are only two facts that matter to me. (1) Ateneo-La Salle standing for Season 70: 3-1. :D (2) We still have a chance to win the finals! :D

There were 4 extremely high points in the game for the crowd. (1) When Ateneo was tied with La Salle. (2) When Chris Tiu made his 1st and last 3 point shot. (3)When Chris Tiu made the winning shot. (4) When we won!!!

And the reason why the stats don't matter so much to me anymore is because this is a game won by heart. We receive various text, news and opinion about game fixing, profit, etc. But for people like me, the people who truly enjoy and love the game, and for people like our Ateneo Blue Eagles, the game has greater value. Because truly, the joy I felt, our entire block felt, the Ateneo Araneta crowd felt, the Ateneo community and faithfuls felt is beyond priceless.

OAA, thanks for the free ticket. Block N, thanks for the great company!!! :D Pictures in my multiply.

Oh. And Happy 18th birthday Alyssa!!! Thank you for the Krispy Kreme donuts especially the Ateneo donuts. :D

Come to think of it.

Last Sunday's gospel can be read to give various lessons. But there's one that our priest pointed out which I've never read before.

He concentrates on:

“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light." (Luke 16:8)

The priest explains it wonderfully. Masmaparaan pa ang mga masasama kaysa sa mga mabubuti. People can be so intelligently cunning when they want to do something wrong. But when it comes to doing good, less effort and thinking are exerted.

If only the good choose to use their minds and abilities to the fullest as much as those who do evil, instead of just accepting the situation of society, then maybe, cliche as it may be, there is a better world in store for us.

Thank you again.

This sembreak promises to be a very interesting and fun-filled one. Thank you Lord for the opportunities. You truly can never be outdone in generosity.

Friends, please pray for my Math nga pala. It's the only thing that's not making me wish the sem would go by quick enough.

Inefficiency.

Today, a friend told me a story of lack of effective communication about an event, which shows some inefficiency in the way the group runs things. I'm not one to quickly pass judgement but it's quite disappointing considering that I hold this group in high regard.

It's even sadder because this friend had to let go of an opportunity, which could have been held on to if not for the faulty communication.

In Pisay, I was given the opportunity to become a leader. I set meetings and events. I decided the place and the time, all of which I could choose to set depending on what would be best for me. I understand that the leaders can do these but what are irritating, I realized, are meetings cancelled too late, people who have agreed to attend not arriving and meetings that waste people's time.

I now truly understand that once you release news, you have to try your best to push through with what you have announced. Actual people's lives revolve on what people in power have set before them.

Once again.

I know. I've been talking about the Eagles in my last 3 entries including this. I can't help it. I'm a fan girl. I was a mega supporter of the Green Archers before and I wasn't even a La Sallian. What do you expect now that I'm an Atenean? :p

Here's another thing I learned that makes me even prouder to be Atenean despite the loss yesterday:

"While the victors sang their hymn, team captain Chris Tiu pulled Yuri Escueta, Jai Reyes, and Eric Salamat in a short huddle. “Let’s put this loss quickly behind us because it’s not yet over,” yelled Tiu his voice cracking with emotion. “Let’s prepare for UST.”

They were right in front of me and I could see Reyes battling back the tears. Escueta’s expression showed that he was already calculating the odds of such a Herculean task, but he nodded intently. Salamat let out a howl of disgust but was quick to cast his lot in, “Laban tayo, laban pa! Hindi pa tapos (Let’s fight, fight on! It’s not yet over)!” "

Read the whole article by Rick Olivares from the Ateneo official site.

Masarap pa rin maging Atenista. :D

Contrary to yesterday's post, I was able to watch live!!! :D Thank you for the tickets, MELISSA!!! I cannot express how thankful and happy I am. Thank you!!! :D Thank you Mel! :D Next time, dapat kasama ka na talaga. Thank you Tin and Regine for the company! :) Thank you Joriel and Mea(kahit hindi kita kilala. :D) for running to get the tickets!

First, I want to say... The guys who had the chance to hold the ball (Jai Reyes and Eric Salamat. (Tama ba?)) during the last play should have attempted a 3. I even heard the La Sallians outside commenting on this. Pati ata sila naghihinayang. :)) Why pass it to Zion with a second remaining when he's inside and couldn't possibly make a 3 from there? I wouldn't have mind a 3 point La Salle victory if there were at least an attempt. I don't think all those 3 point shooters (Jai, Eric and Eman(Haha. Again, tama ba?)) were placed inside the game so that they could find Chris Tiu and pass him the ball. Maybe they were there because they had the authority to shoot from the outside. You think?

There was a great amount of teasing. Haha. Here were some of the "banats:"
DLSU: Beat Ateneo! Animo La Salle!
ADMU: Animo Al Salle!
ADMU: Suspended!
DLSU: NU! NU! NU! (Just my comment. Well, buti pa NU, natalo kami nung eliminations. :p)
DLSU: (One of their banners read "Thank you NU!")
DLSU: (Their half-time presentation. :p)
ADMU: Wrong spelling! (This used to refer to the "DLSU. Animo La Salle" cheer. Now it has more meaning because of their Cheering presentation last Sunday. hehe.)
DLSU: (banner again) Not this time!
DLSU: (banner again. Something like "Bawal Tiumamba ngayon" basta something that contains the word tiumamba.)
There are more from DLSU either because I was obviously in the Ateneo side so I couldn't see our banners na pangasar or those from DLSU just have so much to be angry about and love teasing.

But despite that, I enjoyed the game. Since this is the 1st UAAP game I watched live, I realized a game is much more appreciated in the colliseum than on TV. This is also the reason why a loss witnessed live is much more easier to bear. I'm speaking for myself here. The team played well for 40 basketball minutes. Watching it on tv, I knew each shot and second was important. Live, every second felt important and was exciting. How could you feel angry at a team or feel extreme depression when you see your team has given their all for their school?

While walking to the jeepney terminal and passing through the groups of La Sallians there, I felt like I had to walk with head up high. Haha.

Congratulations La Salle! I'm still happy because we have a great team captain (Chris Tiu quickly approached the La Sallians to congratulate them.), a great team (the Eagles are the best!!! They are sooo hardworking!), a great crowd (we had great spirit and we clapped for their victory) and a great school. Watching live has made me love the Ateneo Blue Eagles more than I already have. Win or lose, it's the school we choose. I say that with so much pride right now. Talagang masarap maging Atenista!!! :D

Sold Out.

Since we're dismissed early on Mondays, the girls of our block decided to go to Araneta to try and buy tickets for tomorrow's Ateneo-La Salle game. They were going to sell some in school but we didn't want to line up as early as 2 pm to buy tickets at 4 pm. To our dismay, there were 0 tickets left and the only chance we had was to either go back to Ateneo to line up and get GenAd tickets or go to Araneta tom and buy GenAd tickets right before the game.

And so, as I have resigned to doing the past 2 Ateneo-La Salle games, I'm going to watch at home and disturb the neighbors with my high shriek when Chris Tiu makes the game-winning shot.

I so hope and pray we win again tomorrow.

Thank you

I got into ASLA Batch 6!

Thank you Lord! This is another wonderful blessing. Pahiya na naman ako when I tried to give up when a challenge came along.

Thank you parents, Sir Ed, Jason, Rob and Ivan for the support. :D Thank you God for these people.

Congrats to Rob, Ivan, Kuya Ed, Kuya Jaron and Ate Noreen! :D

I'm so excited. :)

Diversity

Gabriella Montez: Do you remember in kindergarten,how you'd meet a kid, and know nothing about them, then 10 seconds later you'd be playing like you were best friends, because you didn't have to be anyone but yourself?

Too bad we can't be kids forever.

I guess one of the most difficult things we have to deal with as we grow older is the fact that there are different personalities and a wide range of experiences, values, ideals and attitudes that we won't understand. Most of these new personalities, you'll understand. But the challenge is to keep your ground (Be yourself if being yourself is a good thing. Otherwise, it's just being stubborn.) but still know how to constructively and harmoniously correlate with the person (or persons if you're situation's that sad) you just can't fathom at all.

Diversity and change are sure in this world. You have to learn to live with it or you'll be drained trying to fight it.

It's difficult but rewarding. Jesus said kasi yesterday, "If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that. ... No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High God."

Oh. Most importantly, pray that that person or those people don't make it any more difficult than it already is. :D

Alumni Homecoming 2007

Attended the Alumni Homecoming last Saturday.


I loved being there. Mostly, we just sat down but I really enjoyed doing that. It felt great to just be there surrounded by the people I feel so at home with. In high school, we didn't stand up, say hi and take pictures with everyone. Just knowing that these people were around us made us feel safe and comforable. That's why this was one of the rare moments when I loved just sitting down and saying nothing.

Like Ray2, seeing the Journ people and talking about the paper made me miss Journ too. :(
Actually, I miss '07, our teachers and everyone else. :(

Before reaching Pisay, I felt a certain nervousness. During the invocation, I felt a chill. In the grandstand, I felt nostalgia. And on my way home, I once again remembered that we will never share the same moments we used to while we were in Pisay. But I'm more than greatful I had the chance to experience Pisay with them. Hopefully, though not the same moments, the taking part in each other's lives hasn't ended.

Sorry. Senti.

My Patronus

Take this quiz!

Since the picture isn't so large:
Your patronus would take the form of a unicorn. Unicorns are fierce, solitary but magnificent and selfless. They are quite brave and always mysteriously beautiful. Unicorns are symbols of unconquerable pride and purity. They are impossible to tame and are very rare. The horn is said to protect against poisons, Unicorns signify chivalry and dignity.

It might be great to someday be as definite about myself as these quizzes seem to be. haha. :)

Limits

I have decided to limit my commitments in the Ateneo. There were so many other things I had to forego because I knew I couldn't possibly remain sane in college with a schedule like that which I had during my last 2 years in Pisay.

But now I'm not sure if the limits I set were enough.

3 of my 4 orgs have activities tomorrow right after I receive my advisory marks. I feel tired already just thinking of the situation. :(

Long overdue greeting

Congratulations!!!

Daniel Go
Tin Pascual
Eric Sy
1st Place Freshmen Math Intersection Challenge Category B

Mike Ybanez
Edgar Toledo
Vyen Villanueva
3rd Place Freshmen Math Intersection Challenge Category B

I wish I could have watched but I had to go home. Oh well.

Congratulations, guys. Block N and Math18 Section B are the best!!! :D Having 4 of the most intelligent Math people (uy. haha) in our block is great news for me. Patulong :) Just goes to prove that the best are in Computer courses. :p Congratulations again!!!

productive long break

It' isn't really that productive but since my usual weekends are spent sleeping, eating and watching TV, I guess I can call it that.

I was able to:
- Finish CS Project!!!
- Watch Transformers (oo. ngayon ko lang napanood. :p), Evan Almighty, Road to High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 2
- Read some magazines
- Read almost the entire student handbook (I didn't read the part where all the Republic Acts were. :>)
- Rewrite my Math notes
- Go to the mall (where I saw Warner, Luigi, Justin and Jayvee, saw Rojani and Roxanne, and was really masungit because my sister was taking too long to buy stuff)
- Study for CS Midterms
- Have a family dinner with all my relatives from my dad's side
- Watch lots of TV
- And have lots of sleep

6-day long breaks may give us so much time to be lazy. But thing is I had time to both slack off and do important things. While most people say it was useless, I think it's a break we deserve to have once in a while. After all, that once in a while meant having to wait around probably 18 years of my life for this super long break within an academic year.

There. This is so fun. It's a totally useless entry. But I learned something from it. I have to start reading again so that I can write about significant topics. haha.

Congratulations!

Congratulations Rob and Ianna. :D

I'm so happy for the two of you. You deserve the win. God bless you both in all your endeavors for SOSE! :D Congrats talaga!! I'm really excited for you. haha. Halata ba? :))

SOSE!!! We just proved we're a bunch of really intelligent and wise students and voters. This victory is not only Rob's or Ianna's or Ignacio's. It's a victory for the entire School of Science and Engineering. We deserve to have the best leaders and we did get them. So congrats to all of us too!!! =D

uaap

Supporting a basketball team is more than just watching all the games and cheering. It's an emotional investment. At least for me, it is.

Conclusion: Ateneo Blue Eagles, you have to do well. Thanks. :D

Superhero powers =)

I'm enjoying answering quizzes again. lol.

Got this from vic.

Your Superpower Should Be Manipulating Electricity

You're highly reactive, energetic, and super charged. If the occasion calls for it, you can go from 0 to 60 in a split second. But you don't harness your energy unless you truly need to. And because of this, people are often surprised by what you are capable of. Why you would be a good superhero: You have the stamina to fight enemies for days Your biggest problem as a superhero: As with your normal life, people would continue to underestimate you

What Should Your Superpower Be?

I want to comment too. :p

I expected to get the mind-reading or the fire like the others but I get something more appropriate to me. I enjoy producing large amounts of energy and using them to accomplish important tasks that I love doing. I know what I'm capable of. Most of the time, I wish to be more consistent so that my powers can be evident and fully utilized. But the rest of the time, I just enjoy knowing that I can sit back and relax and whether other people are aware of it or not, when something has to be done, I have the ability to perform. :)

*To the people who have helped me harness and use these powers, thanks! I love getting to use my God-given powers. haha. =))

my freshmen elections 2007 stand =))

I support Partido Ignacio and Victor this election!

Vote for:
Rob Roque for 1st Year SOSE Central Board Representative,
Ianna Hortaleza for 1st Year SOSE Executive Officer,
and Victor Tanedo for Block N Representative

Visit Partido Ignacio's multiply.
If you're not convinced, tell me. I'll give you my reasons why they should be your choice as well. =))

//Thanks Miggy for wording your im so well. :p
//Thanks Jason for the idea of giving out personalized reasons. haha.

Pisay Movie Reflection =)

Those on the right side of the normal curve are the winners. Inside each side of the normal curve, there are smaller normal curves. No matter which side you're on in that smaller normal curve inside the right side of the major normal curve, you're still a winner!

No. This is not a review. =)) Refer to the hyperlink in the next paragraph for a wonderful review. :)

from Ogg's movie thoughts:

The highly specialized academic training breeds a curious and unique culture among its students. Characterized by vicious competition, contained social lives, and harsh predestination, the Pisay culture feels very much like a tribal unit; separated from the suggested norm of those outside the cemented walls of the institution, but still operating a reflex against any extraneous stimuli that comes its way.

Being a member of the Pisay community, I couldn't agree more to the fact that the academic training we received brought out a curious and unique culture that non-Pisay-ers may not easily understand. These are brought about by (1) the sense of pride that getting into that school gives us, (2) the humility that the early realization that there will always be people better than us brings, (3) the tremendous amount of workload we receive, (4) the early commitment to pursue a career in the field of science and technology, (5) the pressure/responsibility to make this country a better place that we receive as early as 1st year and (6) the feeling that we have been so blessed by God to experience all these. That is to name only a few.

When I talk to many Pisay friends especially now that we have moved on to college, we realize how idealistic we have grown. We expect the best from everyone and everything because we know it's possible. We know that idealism isn't inversely proportional to realism. It is when we start believing that we and the country don't deserve the best that we contribute to our country's doom.

I met a couple friend of my parents who has a son in Batch '09. When we discussed the fact that Pisay students don't seem to want to go abroad, they said, "Ano ba ang pinakain sa inyo ng Pisay?" My parents have another friend who is an alumnus of Pisay. His son is in Pisay as well. They share the same ideals. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang pinakain sa amin ng Pisay, pero ito lang ang alam ko, ano man yun, masaya akong natanggap ko yun.

The film brought almost all the emotions you could experience in Pisay to the movie screen. I couldn't help but cry.

More than saying congratulations to a wonderful movie, I deem it more appropriate to say "Thank you!" Thank you to Director Auraeus Solito, Batch '86 for immortalizing Pisay and for making all of us more proud of our school than we already were. Thank you to the cast for giving justice to all the roles. Ang galing niyo lahat! Of course, lalong lalo na Batch '07's very own Shayne Fajutagana! You make us all proud! :D

So everyone, go watch this movie! If you're not from Pisay, I'm not sure if it'll make you feel we're actually humans too or if it'll make you feel like we're mutants. haha. Nevertheless, I'm pretty sure everyone can relate to the emotions in the film because this film is all about being young and being Filipino. I'm sure we either are or have been both that in our lifetime. To the Pisay people, it's our story. I don't see how you're not going to love it. :D

"right" major

You scored as Religion/Theology, You should strongly consider majoring (or minoring) in Religion, Theology, or a related major. It is possible that the best major for you is your 2nd, 3rd, or even 5th listed category, so be sure to consider ALL majors in your OTHER high scoring categories (below). You may score high in a category you didnt think you would--it is possible that a great major for you is something you once dismissed as not for you. The right major for you will be something 1) you love and enjoy and 2) are really great at it. Consider adding a minor or double majoring to make yourself standout and to combine your interests. Psychology is a good minor to add to any major. Please post your results in your myspace/blog/journal. Religion/Theology 100% HR/BusinessManagement 88% Psychology/Sociology 88% PoliticalScience/Philosophy 88% English/Journalism/Comm 88% Accounting/Finance/Marketing 81% French/Spanish/OtherLanguage 63% Nursing/AthleticTraining/Health 44% Biology/Chemistry/Geology 31% Education/Counseling 31% Mathematics/Statistics 25% Physics/Engineering/Computer 25% History/Anthropology/LiberalArts 13% Visual&PerformingArts 6% WHAT MAJOR IS RIGHT FOR YOU? created with QuizFarm.com

At first, I didn't want to post my results. Because unlike Rob and Fatima, who are in the "right" course, I'm not. Like Ray2 (my coursemate :>), this test says I'm not in the right course. But I know better than to believe in some internet test results. I know God helped me make this decision and that I'm so far enjoying everything I'm learning. No test can ever overpower my persistence and drive that comes from God. ;>

Tama si ray2. I could use all the yaman I earn from CS to pursue anything else I might want to do in the future like study Theo or manage people. :D

Announcement!!!

YFC-Pisay and lahat na rin, attend tayo ng CFC-YFC Ateneo Fresh Care on Monday, June 25 4:30-6 at CTC 102. :D

See you there! Btw, kung hindi pa kayo nag-sisign up, magsign-up na kayo sa Monday. :) Super love the officers. Ang bait nila lahat. And the interviewers, Kuya Jaron, Ate Mika and Kuya Cash are super nice.

Can't wait to be part of YFC-Ateneo. :D And ACMG and CompSAt too. I'm so org oriented. haha. :p

...

I'd really love to blog right now but everything seems to be blurry. I'm still at a stage where I'm confused when I really don't want to be.

I'd be a hypocrite if I say I've totally adjusted to being a college student and studying at the Ateneo. But it is a great desire in my heart that in the very near future, I'd be able to sing with utmost sincerity "Win or lose, it's the school we choose. This is the place where we belong!"

No matter how confused I am, I continue to hold on to God's promise. I think it's the same verse Jao placed sa grad pics. I've heard it more than twice this week. I don't remember when. Hindi sa Mass at hindi ko rin nabasa sa Bible. Pero naencounter ko siya ng ilang ulit. And I guess ito yung version ng IM sa akin ni God. :D

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

***

Block N, thank you so much! :D Super laking relief nung nakilala ko kayo kasi narealize ko na yung blockmates ko wasn't one of the things I had to worry about anymore sa pagaadjust ko sa college. I love you all, block N!!! I'm in the best block ever. :)

Thank you so much Ray2 for visiting!!! Sorry na nahingan pa kita ng 2php. haha. Love you, girl. Miss ko na talaga kayo. :( Bonding natin dapat overnight na, hindi lang school visits. Seeing you occasionally helps me a lot. :p

Rob and Jason, thanks! Ngayon ko lang kayo nakakwentuhan sa school since start of the school year. haha. Thanks uli!

Fatima, may plan next week. Sana matuloy. Magkita tayo. :D

Yung mga iniimbita ko diyan(sana alam niyong kayo yun. 2 lang kayo actually. :p), punta na kayo. At kahit di pa kita naiimbita, visit niyo lang kami, let us know you're coming, willing kami magtour ng tao. :D

ORSEM 2007!

I just wish to thank the ORSEM Organizing Committee, our TnTs Ate Gui and Kuya Miggy, our Logs Ate Kara and Kuya Glen, Block N (we're the best!!!!), the Pisay Ateneans, and everyone else who made the event possible. Despite the fact that I hate how much my body hurts, I loved the ORSEM and I enjoyed it. Pictures in my multiply.

Weeks ago, I was becoming nervous about studying in Ateneo. For a Pisay student, there is more uncertainty about being in Ateneo than there is being in UP. I think I've said this before already. For one, UP is "similar" to Pisay, the home we've grown to love. Second, there are more familiar faces in UP. It holds the most Pisay alumni and most of my closest friends. I think it would be quite reasonable for me to say that it must be scarier to be in Ateneo and making that choice was not easy. For me, Ateneo was not the easy choice.

During the ORSEM, my favorite parts were those held in the Irwin Theater. And no, not only because that place was airconditioned. It was because I learned more about the school I was entering and everything I learned made me love the school more.

Many people have tackled independence. I have my own take. Maybe there is more independence in UP. Maybe UP people are given more space to determine their actions. Maybe Ateneo is stricter. But maybe I'll love it that way. Maybe mabuti sa akin yun. Yung merong teacher breathing down my neck. Yung may taong mangungulit sa akin para gawin yung best ko. Yung may hindi papayag na pabayaan ko lang ang pag-aaral ko. Maybe that's what I need. My mom's take on independence: "You'll have a lot of time to be independent. For the mean time, why not enjoy being taken care of?" Hindi rin naman madali sa Ateneo. I know I'll be pushed to my limits. As I'm pushed, I wouldn't mind getting the attention. I believe Ateneo will give me the enough independence and the enough care I need at this point in my life.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy Pisay. I learned so much from Pisay. I just know that it was the right high school for me. And in the same way, Ateneo is the right university for me.

And that's not all Ateneo can give me. It provides an extremely high quality of education that will serve me well in the future. They have one of the most awarded CS departments in the country. They do well in the ACM and they do well in life. As an answer to Ma'am Rodrigo's challenge, I am indeed ready to be part of the legacy that DISCS and the Ateneo has.

To top all that, I'm going to enjoy the orgs, being in a Catholic school, and the environment. I've said this before. I love Ateneo's aura.

Ateneo's quickly becoming another one of my homes. I can't say it's the best school simply because each person has his own niche. Ateneo is mine. It's UP for others, DLSU for some, etc. It's just I'm really glad I found my new home and that I can wholeheartedly say that I made the right decision. I can proudly say the Pisay '07 Ateneans made the right decision. And I am extremely thankful to God for that!

Indeed, no other university does it better than ADMU! :D

***

Pardon the overuse of the word love. It's the most appropriate word I know. :D

***

Ray2, i have four years to find out. :D

***

Block N, I wish to get to know each and every one of you better. :D

***

Because I loved that Ate Marga listed down every Pisay '06 student in Ateneo, I'll do the same. Please tell me kung may nakakalimutan ako or kung may misplaced. :)

CS - Clarisse, Rikka, Kristine
Chem-ACS - Joriel, Jason, Jecay
Chem-MSE - Rob, Dani
MIS - Anj
ECE - Cindy, Nikki, Francis, Kevin Garcia
AMF - Anapat, Ed, Gian
Physics - Cheska
Physics w/ Applied Computer Systems - Louie
Bio - Angeli
Mgt-H - Karllo
ME - Paola, Eduard, Axel, Mara, Ivan, RV, Kat Chan, Janel, Lara, Angelo Cruz, Justin, Depeds

Thank you, guys. Each one of you makes being in Ateneo a little less harder and a lot more lovelier. <<<3

//special thanks to anapat for the correction and addition. :)

***

To the entire Batch '07, I love all of you. <3 Even if we go our separate ways and find new homes for ourselves, may we continue to build our batch's legacy. The legacy that we formed when we decided to commit ourselves to the service of God and our country. As much as we've been an interesting batch back in high school, I'm pretty sure that was just the tip of the iceberg. Because we're just getting started. Keep in touch. God bless!

enrolled!!!

I'm officially an atenean! Enrollment was quite tiring but I guess better than Pisay and UP (from what I hear).

I'm nervous about college especially about my PE. But with God's grace, I know everything's going to be fine. I'll be with my blockmates tom. I hope to have fun.

And had lunch with some Pisay people who are going to Ateneo. Love them, all. I think there's going to be a lot of us. I estimated 20. There might be 30+. In a couple of years, maybe 1/3 of Pisay graduates will choose Ateneo over UP. hehe.

STILL

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

From still (hillsong)... This is my prayer for my 18th birthday. :)

Thank you sa lahat ng nag-greet! Thank you to everyone who has been part of my 18 years in this world. All of you have been sent to me by God to make me who I am right now. :D

YFC Int'l Leaders' Conference 2007 Naga , 4 of 20

Shout unto God with a voice of triumph.
Shout unto God with a voice of praise.
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph.
We lift Your Name up.
We lift Your Name up.

ILC on YouTube

I made a great discovery today. :) Actually, my sister discovered it yesterday.

20 portions or 200 minutes of the 14th Youth for Christ ILC are in YouTube right now. It starts with the conclusion of the 1st sharing and intro to Vanessa's (yup. the girl from canada) sharing during Session 2. Session 2 for the sisters. :) Since nakaupload na, I guess pwede na rin sa brothers. haha. :) It was the session I loved the most and wrote about so much in my ILC entry. Sayang nga lang hindi sa simula. Love ko yung worship and 1st sharing e. :)) 2nd half na lang ng session 2. It continues on until the end of the ILC.

I really enjoyed recalling the ILC. To those who missed the ILC, here's your chance to listen to the message God gave us during the ILC. And just to everyone, panoorin niyo. Nakakabless yung ILC e. Para next year, sa Tagaytay naman tayo lahat. :)

Thank you God for this. :)

I'm uploading videos to my multiply. Panoorin niyo. :)

or youcould start here: Video 1 of 20 from tomasjasper in You Tube

college.

I really want to write about college already, my blockmates, my schedule, PE, Ateneo and everything but there's nothing to write about yet kasi sa June pa magkakaroon ng event ang Ateneo. Haay.

Basta this summer, I got more acquainted to the place. Thanks Rob and Ivan. Hindi na ko ganun kadaling mawawala kasi at least alam ko na san ang Faura at CTC, ang 2 most important buildings sa mga CS. Nakita rin namin si Ate Val w/ other '06 people when we were there. At least, nakakagaan ng loob na makakita ng familiar faces.

Who's driving?

Here are fragments of Judy McDonald's article "Jesus take the wheel" Click here for the full article. Thanks to cecile for linking this site. I love it.

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
-Carrie Underwood

What a nice song. I can just imagine Carrie driving home on a cold winter's night as her car spins hopelessly out of control and her hands fly up and she yells, “Jesus take the wheel!”

Well duh, Carrie! Who wouldn’t yell for Jesus to take over when they were about to die in a horrible car crash!

...

But, let’s go back to that paragraph right above and point out something that I wrote, “…When I really look at my life I let Jesus handle pretty much all of it.” Did you catch it? “Pretty much all of it” means that there are some things in my life that to be perfectly honest I think I can handle better than Jesus (Now reading a statement like that makes me think I should check myself into somewhere nice for a few months to wear a bathrobe all day and play volleyball, because now I have a God complex or something). I’m saying, “Look Jesus, I know you made the mountains and the sea and even the hippos and those are all awesome, but I think I can handle this one on my own. Thanks, I’ll call you when it’s your turn to drive."

It's really funny when you think about it. We say that God is in control of our lives when in many situations, we like to do things on our own. We don't realize that God should be driving all the time. We often just ask God to start working is when we don't know what to do anymore.

Some people say that trusting God is the down-side of religion. I don't think it is. All my life I've known that He was watching over me, guiding me in every situation. Trusting doesn't mean 'I'm going to sit here forever and wait for him to give me good grades, arrange this event or buy me food.' It means knowing that I'm not alone in every situation. It means knowing that everything that happens to me has a purpose. It means knowing that there is a plan for me and it's much more greater than any plan I've ever made for my life. It means knowing that life isn't only about what I want. It's more about what God wants me to do with my life. And with that trust, we find our true purpose and we allow God to lead us to places we've never imagined before.

Like the author, there are still times I forget that God is in the driver's seat. But whenever I remember that, I feel more at ease because I know that He can never go wrong.