not until the fat lady sings

It's all over.

All my classes have finally ended; no more exams to worry about, no more papers to pass, no more reports to present, and no more sleepless nights.

Whew!

I survived.

I went through it all, and I'm still standing. That's enough cause for celebration right there.

This has been the most exciting semester I've had in UP. At the start of November I was a new shiftee who a few months before had nearly lost all hope. Today I feel that I've finally found my place, that I'm in a course that I really enjoy.

Hahahaha. Drama. Not really my cup of tea.

There is one more thing that I have to go through before I go into full vacation mode though.

Grades

Never have I been as grade-conscious as I am now, not even when I was a struggling non-major trying to get into a new college.

Maybe it's because I feel that I performed well this semester, and I want it reflected in my classcards. I'm not beyond hoping for cum laude standing you know. Hahaha.

Or maybe it's simply one thing: pride.

I'm now in a course which allows me to do something I really want to do, something I'm really good at. It would be very unfortunate -and extremely embarrassing- if I did not get high grades now.

Hehehehe... Don't mind me.

The deadline for the submission of grades is on April 7. Another week of waiting, and waiting, and waiting...

Then I'll go on a vacation.

and now it rains?!

Yes, I was quite literally burning up a few hours ago.

Yes, I had to resort to the air-conditioner just to get the temperature back to tolerable levels.

Yes, I gulped down glass after glass of Coke to keep from dehydrating.

Yet all the while the skies were clear, and that was the only good thing about the heat.

But close to dusk, the rain poured down. The temperature went down, but the overcast sky threatened to spoil my view of the International Space Station as it passes directly overhead at exactly 7:08 PM local time.

The rain stopped barely five minutes before 7, and the clouds started to part slowly but surely.

At the appointed time, I was staring at the southwest. It was a good thing that it was the clearest portion of the sky, for a bright dot soon came out.

I was staring up at the sky for a good two minutes. The ISS went from the southwest to the northeast within a few minutes, easily brighter than the visible stars at that time. I could even make out the Space Shuttle beside it (or were my eyes playing tricks?).

Hahahaha. Ang babaw ng kaligayahan ko.

How I wish that I had a good pair of binoculars with me...

For those of you who want to see the ISS for yourselves, there would be another flyby directly above the Philippines on Tuesday, March 25 with the same brightness as what I saw just a few minutes ago.

Enjoy!

it's really hot in here

That damned transport strike last week really screwed everything up.

I should be in Davao right now, not roasting in this oven while waiting for Sir Avecilla to tell us the schedule of our final exam!

With no supply of orange juice nearby I've gone back to drinking Coke. Glass after glass of Coke filled with ice. Hahahaha.

Argh.

too close for comfort

From ABS-CBN Interactive:

A shoe soles factory in Antipolo City caught fire Saturday afternoon, ABS-CBN News learned.

The fire at the Marikina Rubber shoe soles factory, located in Barangay Mambugan, started at around 4 p.m.

The Antipolo City Bureau of Fire Protection's initial report said that the fire has reached 4th alarm and was still burning as of 5:30 p.m.

Several houses have also been damaged by the blaze.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported as of posting.

Yikes. I took this picture from outside our house just this afternoon. So that's what was happening over there...

up for freshies

***

This is my final paper for one of my Journalism classes.

***

First off, let me welcome you to the University of the Philippines. You are now an Iskolar ng Bayan, one of the few who make it into the premier university of the country.

You are now entering a new world where you will learn new things and face new challenges.

Life in UP is not like life in high school. You will be on your own in this new world; no one will be there to hold your hand or to tell you what to do.

During my first week as a UP student, I got lost a lot of times. I simply did not know where to go.

The UP campus is huge. There are many buildings and places to go to. As freshmen, there are five places you have to know by heart, besides your home college of course.

Number one: Palma Hall.

A lot of your time will be spent here, as most of the general education subjects are held in this building. It will be hard to miss, as all the jeepneys in UP pass either in front or behind it. Just look for the huge columns and the famous steps where students go to meet friends, to study, or to just pass the time.

Of course, it was not that simple for me during my first days in UP. All the jeepneys do pass Palma Hall (or AS, for Arts and Sciences), you just have to know what to look for. At that time I did not know anything about the campus, let alone which building was which, so I often went right past Palma Hall. Here's a tip: when you see a lot of people –as in A LOT of people- that would most likely be Palma Hall.

Another thing about AS is that it does not have 4000 rooms. My first class there was at PH 4124, and I had absolutely no idea where that was. Guess what I did.

I followed every room since I did believe then that there were 4000 rooms. So I went from the first floor to the fourth floor looking for PH 4124. I did find room 1001 at the ground floor, but by then I was already huffing and puffing, not to mention extremely late for my class.

I finally gave up, swallowed my pride, and asked the nearest security guard where my class was. It turned out that I was in the wrong building. Besides the huge main building, Palma Hall has four pavilions and one annex. The room numbers do not show the actual number of rooms, they are location codes. As such, PH 4124 is read as Palma Hall Pavillion 4, 1^st floor, Room 24.

One thing you must always remember is that there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Ask for help if and when you need it. It is more embarrassing to not ask and be wrong in the end.

Of course, you should be wary of one thing. When looking for TBA, do not ask upperclassmen. Most UP students, if not all, seem to find this as an excuse to play a prank on unsuspecting freshies like you. I know I did. But I'm turning over a new leaf. To save you the trouble of asking, TBA means "to be announced" and not "top of Business Administration" or "Teodoro Benigno Annex".

Number two: Gonzalez Hall.

Also known as the Main Library, this is the building seen behind the Sunken Garden. It is just a short walk from Palma Hall. Much of your time MUST be spent here, since many of your classes will require research. Books, people. Wikipedia is overrated. And there are a lot of books here. I'm a voracious reader, and in five years I've read barely 1% of all the books in the library. You will most likely be using three sections of the Main Library: General Reference, Social Sciences, and Filipiniana. The General Reference and Social Science sections are on the first floor; from the entrance, GenRef is to the left and SocSci is to the right. The Filipiniana section is at the ground floor; go down the stairs to the left of the entrance.

Of the three, the best place to be would be the General Reference section. It is airy and quiet, easily conducive to sleeping. Just kidding. This is where you will find the free Wi-Fi service courtesy of DILNET. However, Friendster cannot be accessed from here.

Most of the readings for your classes will be found at the Social Science and Filipiniana sections, unless your professors are kind enough to have photocopied the needed books beforehand (which is very rare) or if they are at the Shopping Center, which would be the next stop on our tour.

Before we move on though, remember that there are also other libraries scattered all over the campus. Every college has its own library. Some of your readings may only be found in one or two of the different college libraries, so be prepared to go library hopping.

Number three: the Shopping Center.

Just an Ikot ride away from Palma Hall or a short walk from the Main Library, everything you could possibly need can be found here. There is a grocery store with all the food and supplies you will need. There are a lot of computer shops here for your printing, typing, and research needs. Yes, you can access Friendster here. Most of the photocopying shops are here too, along with some of your required readings.

The food shops here –Rodics, especially- are some of the best –and the cheapest- in the entire campus.

You can also find UP memorabilia, clothes, eyeglasses, school supplies, even rare movies. I only found out about the latter a few days ago. Try to go to the second floor of the first shop (Mister Donut) in the left wing of the building. Along with pocket books are hard-to-find movies, series, and computer programs; all of which can be bought cheap.

With the high cost of tuition nowadays, you need all the breaks you can get.

Number four: the Sunken Garden.

Life in UP is not all about studying. Don't get me wrong, it's very important to study here. However, all work and no play is boring, not to mention dangerous. You have to strike a balance between the two; you run the risk of burning out if you do not take some time out to relax.

This is where the Sunken Garden comes in. Found behind the Main Library, you would be hard pressed to miss this vast expanse of green. This is undeniably one of the best places to relax and unwind after a day of exams, reports, and papers. The tall acacia trees provide shade from the sun, and the air is almost always cool.

People come here to hang out with friends, play games, or just to sit and think. Kite flying, football, Ultimate Frisbee, baseball, badminton… The list of what you could do there is endless.

When I find the time to go there I just sit on the grass and watch the clouds or the people playing in the field. Sometimes I bring a book along with me.

The Sunken Garden is not the only place in UP where you can relax though. There are many other parks throughout the campus, foremost of which is the Lagoon. Found between the UP Theater and the Vargas Museum, this is the place to go for total peace and quiet.

The Lagoon opens up to the Amphitheatre and our next and last stop: Quezon Hall.

Number five: Quezon Hall.

To everything there must be an end. Our stay in UP will eventually come to an end, and the only way we should meet that end is by going through Quezon Hall.

The Oblation statue (or a copy of it) can be found in front of the tall columns of the building facing University Avenue. Behind Quezon Hall is the Amphitheatre, an expanse of grass comparable to the Sunken Garden but used for a different purpose.

This is where graduation ceremonies are held. If you study hard, in four to five years you will be one of the many white-clad students standing in the Amphitheatre waiting to be awarded their diplomas.

The ultimate goal for all of us should be to finish our courses, get our degrees, and share our knowledge and experience with the outside world.

As an Iskolar ng Bayan, a UP graduate must use the education and training given to him by the Filipino people to serve the Filipino nation.

That's it for our short "tour" of the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus. Remember that these are not the only places to see in the campus. I leave the others to you. Explore the place; you might find something new and unusual.

Good luck and enjoy your stay in UP!

alone

It's quiet.

Too quiet.

I've just finished checking every entrance and exit into the house; every gate and door is locked, every window is shut. All the lights outside the room are out. Every plug has been pulled and the gas valve has been closed.

This house is as locked down as the Maginot Line.

It had better be.

I'm all alone. Everyone is in Davao right now. If only I had no classes left I would be sleeping like a baby way down south right now.

As it is, I have an exam tomorrow, a paper to pass on Tuesday, and a presentation on Wednesday. Argh.

I should have been on the plane hours ago, but no, I still have classes up until AT LEAST the 27th. The earliest that I could get to Davao would be the 29th.

That's two weeks.

Alone.

Hahahaha. I'm not scared. I'm twenty-one for crying out loud! It's just that...

...it's too quiet.

Haaay...

At least I have EVERYTHING to myself. Hahaha.

I can't wait to get on that plane. I want to see the whales. I want to rest. I want to relax. I want to forget civilization for a while. I want a vacation.

Back to studying. Crap.

images

The Ayala rally last February 22 was my first rally. It was everything I thought a rally would be. Streamers, banners, and placards were everywhere. Speakers were on stage giving speeches. People were clapping and chanting. The protesters from different groups were estimated to number around 10,000. The media was also there in full force; cameras were set up atop trucks and makeshift stages, reporters were doing live reports, and directors were telling the protesters to move their banners for the cameras.

Wait.

The call from someone in the media which was relayed through one of the speakers on stage stopped me in my tracks. Right there and then was a simple example of how media somehow influences events. That one was pretty simple; it was only so the cameramen could get a good shot of the stage. But the way the protesters quickly acceded to the request amused me. This was all a game.

The media is a very powerful force in this country. It can make or break anything –careers, causes, lives. It had been instrumental in the fall of two presidents in the past, being an integral part of two “People Power” revolts. In the current crisis spawned by the NBN-ZTE scandal, the media is once again at the front covering and reporting every single move of the parties involved.

And, as before, it has also become a battleground of images.

The protesters granted the media’s request in order to further their cause. By being very visible, by showing the world their numbers and their resolve, by being on the good side of the media, they would come closer to fulfilling their objectives.

When Jun Lozada came out from hiding with his expose the media was there. Live coverage was given to the man who had just recently “escaped” from his “kidnappers” and had sought refuge at La Salle Greenhills among nuns and priests. He dropped a bombshell which rocked the Arroyo administration to its core, and he lit off a spark which, most recently, led to mass protests here in Manila and other points around the country.

His first appearance at the Senate was covered live by the two major networks. Every word was broadcast to every person watching and listening. He came across as a penitent sinner, one who could no longer tolerate the corruption he had once been part of. When he cried, time seemed to stop –for us at home at least. Here was someone who was putting it all out on the line, someone who, in ANC and GMA-7’s full color, was telling us all about the darkness behind the presidency.

The Senate hearings continued, always covered by the media –live on ANC and Studio 23 and reported later during the primetime newscasts. Former and current government officials tried to discredit Lozada and his story. They poked holes in his claim that he had been kidnapped by the PSG and the PNP. They tried mightily to destroy his credibility, but to the people watching at home, Lozada became the underdog. He became a hero who bravely went against the powerful and the evil.

This image was further reinforced by the ANC special Harapan: The Jun Lozada Expose. Lozada was supposed to appear opposite former COMELEC chair Benjamin Abalos in a one-on-one debate. What happened only served to strengthen his underdog image, as wave after wave of government officials attacked his testimony. Lozada, via remote link-up from La Salle, dressed in a white undershirt, again outnumbered, parried their questions and fought back.

The administration appeared as an angry mob, the “dark side” which “Jedi” Lozada had turned away from. Its leader, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was branded as “evil”.

The formerly obscure CEO of the Philippine Forest Corporation was now a celebrity, a “hero” for many, thanks largely to media coverage.

I saw him once during his visit to Malcolm Hall a few short weeks ago. He looked simple enough. He seemed sincere enough. He was consistent in everything he said or did.

But there was something... ...off.

I can't quite place it yet. There's something about Lozada that bothers me. Nearly everyone was quick to embrace him the moment he appeared at the Senate and started to talk. It was the same at Malcolm Hall. Nearly everyone there believed in him and in what he said.

The problem there is that he hasn't shown a single shred of evidence which would corroborate his stories. He tells good stories, but stories they shall remain unless he gives up the goods.

Papers! Numbers! Prices! Receipts! Photographs! ANYTHING! Nothing.

And people believe him just the same.

One other thing that bothers me is that he's just a bit too good in front of the cameras. Naturally charismatic or artificially practiced?

And he cries a lot.

A LOT.

Come on man, you don't need to cry so we would believe you, just show us some proof!

Yes, I find it annoying. I find HIM annoying. I want to know the truth as much as everyone else, but you can't get the truth from just the stories of one man.

He could be making it all up for all we know!

But is anyone even trying to get him to show some proof? The Senate seems content to just let him talk and talk during the hearings. His supporters demand for truth and accountability from everyone else except their dear hero. It was as if his confession that he was right in the middle of the scandal and that he had his own share of corruption made him the one true arbiter of truth, the one man in this madhouse of a country who cannot tell a lie.

His image does help him a lot.

***
Feel free to agree or disagree. Post your comments below. Hahaha.

the semester that was

Let me start off by saying that this was all a mistake.

I had no plans of taking Broadcast Journalism 101 during the registration period. None at all. I put this class on my registration form only as a hedge against the possibility of my getting only 15 units for the semester. At that time I was scared and confused, just fresh from a year as a non-major. I did not know what to expect from my new course so I wanted to get 18 units, just so I could drop one subject should the need arise without fear of becoming under-loaded.

I did not know then what I was walking into.

My first day was a disaster. Torrential rains and the subsequent floods slowed traffic to a crawl, so much so that what was normally only a 30 minute drive became a two hour nightmare. I came into class looking like someone who just came out of a tornado; my hair was a mess and my clothes were in disorder. To top it all off, my timing could not have been any worse; a few minutes after I sat down I was called to the front to introduce myself. I had no idea what to do. It was a good thing that the directions were written on the board, so I answered all the questions. That was when I was tagged (I think) as “Attorney Obidos”, since I mentioned that I wanted to become a lawyer someday. Up until today everyone in class knows me as “Attorney”, and somehow that nickname has also spread outside the classroom.

The first assignment was a real shocker. We were told to go out and interview two –yes, that’s right, TWO broadcast journalists. I had not done any interviews before, save for the group interview we did for Comm 3 the past semester. However, this was different. We were split into pairs, and we had to hunt down one radio and one television reporter within two weeks. My partner, John, and I did not know where to start. We went to different places all over Quezon City before we got a break. We interviewed Danilo Santos for radio and Alex Tinsay for TV.

Before that assignment, I was already questioning my choice of classes. The workload was just too much. After that assignment, however, things changed. The experience of running around chasing down leads was exciting, to say the least. The people we met on the way and the places we went to further added to my knowledge of the world. The interviews had the largest impact. We were lucky enough to meet two people who were extremely dedicated to their profession, people who really loved their job. And I think that it rubbed off on me. Right there and then, after we interviewed Alex Tinsay, I felt that I really wanted to become a reporter.

I never complained after that. Besides, I was learning so much in class –much more than from my other subjects- that I looked forward to every Thursday. Yes, it’s true, even though I always ended up arriving late; I really have trouble with morning classes. The first-hand accounts of what it was like working as a broadcaster were my favorites; it always amused me to know about what was really happening when the microphones and the cameras were turned off.

Of course, the work never ended. We reduced three pages of text to one page of only four sentences. We covered talks and gathered soundbites, which we promptly converted into news copy. The only problem I had at this time was my lack of access to equipment. I had to borrow a voice recorder from a friend, and that was only when she was not using it. Come to think of it, the entire course could have been more enjoyable if the equipment we needed –recorders, cameras, computers, audio-visual equipment- were available for our use. I know that I’m asking too much, given the budget constraints of the university, but that’s my opinion.

Anyway, we just finished our final presentation yesterday. Our radio presentation last week turned out better than we had hoped, and now I hope that our TV newscast turns out to be even better. The preparations for the final presentations was another great but extremely stressful experience. We were told to prepare 5 stories each; two stories for radio and three stories for TV. My groupmates and I got stories from Ayala, Mendiola, EDSA, and even Baguio City. The lack of proper equipment –especially cameras- caused problems for us, though in the end, we did manage to give a good presentation.

I really enjoyed the course. After each assignment or project I always felt a profound sense of accomplishment. I always felt that all my hard work was not wasted, that it was all worth it. Now, at the end of the semester, I can say that whatever misgivings I had in the beginning are now gone. I’m really thankful that the Computerized Registration System gave me a slot in this class.

However, it was all still a mistake. Now I find that I REALLY want to be a journalist. What’s wrong with that, you ask? THAT puts my dream of becoming a lawyer someday in jeopardy; I’m enjoying my work so much that I would most probably decide NOT to go to law school once I graduate.

One other thing which inspired me this semester was one conversation I had with our professor. I haven’t told many people about this yet, but since the semester is about to end, what the heck.

I was filling up my classcard at the Broadcast Communication department. I had just finished my report on the history of broadcast news that day and I was curious as to how I fared in that report. Professor Estonilo told me that I did good, that I knew my report well. She also told me that she thought that I would become a reporter someday, and that I was well-suited for the Congress beat. However, what she said next really struck me hard:

“Itaga mo sa bato, magiging reporter ka.”

Thank you, Ma’am.

rush

I passed my Film 102 paper two minutes before the deadline. Hahahaha.

Right now I'm writing -trying to write- my last paper for Broadcast Journalism 101.

Chronic procrastination, I know.

But it gives me a rush. Hahahaha. That's new; "addicted to cramming".

I have four hours to finish my two-page experience paper. I think I'll spend the next three watching videos on YouTube or playing one of my many games.

I'll finish the paper in 30 minutes.

Then why not start now!!!

damned strike

The day I become President of the Philippines will be the day that all strikes, labor or otherwise, will be met, not with maximum tolerance, but with maximum force.

Today's transport strike really screwed up a lot of my plans.

I can't leave my home since all the jeepneys have stopped. I could walk sixteen frakkin' kilometers, but that would take all of today and some of tomorrow.

I could take a taxi, but that would cost me an arm and a leg; the taxi drivers must be having a field day with all the stranded commuters walking around.

How I wish that I had a car. Hahahaha. By next year that would most likely be a reality, but next year is 365 days too late!

Haaay... The timing could not have been worse.

four thousand three hundred twenty minutes

Seventy-two hours. Three days. Three frakkin' days.

And I'm still going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going,

ad infinitum.

Between my acad life and org life, I have no more life.

Ano daw? Ang labo mo pare!

Hahaha.

I haven't been sleeping much for the past month.

I haven't slept at all for the past three days, save for the occasional 30 minute nap or the rare three-hour semi-sleep period.

I've been dozing off in FX taxis and in jeepneys just to make up for my lack of sleep.

The weird thing is that I'm still standing. It's amazing. Simply amazing.

The even weirder thing is that I'm actually getting a lot of stuff done.

I'm not promoting cramming -you do so at your own risk- but so far it seems to be very effective; high grades on ALL of my papers is proof positive of that.

Or maybe I'm just that good.

*Cold wind blows.*

Hahahaha.

I just came home from UP.

Yes, I went to school on a Sunday. We had to work on our TV news production for Broadcast Journalism 101.

Before that, I was at Plaza del Sol in Marikina for UP AstroSoc's Final Rites.

Even before that, we had an all-nighter at Erika's condo.

The night of that all-nighter, we had our deliberations.

I also became Over-all Coordinator-elect.

Hahahaha. I love my life.

Four thousand three hundred twenty minutes. A lot can happen in three days.

After all my assignments, projects, and papers are done and over with I'll have three days of sleep. Maybe more.

Hahaha.

**
Congratulations to Batch Astro Supernova!


***
If you find this blog entry incomprehensible, wala lang.

HAHAHAHA.

blurb

I need to sleep. Hahahaha.

Our radio news cast this morning was a surprising success.

Again, I have a paper for Journ 109 due tomorrow.

And yet again I have not even begun to write it.

Life is beautiful.