hello world! i'm alive!
our first term officially ended last october 25, but lucky me, the deadline of our take-home stat finals was october 29. you know how an endeavor expands to fill the time allotted for it? that's exactly what happened. so at around 7pm on the 29th, i was in a cab on my way to campus (dead-tired from facilitating a training session from 9 to 4, and attending a meeting from 5 to 6), encircling my final answers. hehe.
that's it for the first term. my 3 grades are out, and i did well. i'm so happy!
this term, i'm only taking 2 subjects - methods of research and financial accounting. not exactly exciting courses, but i need these if i want to understand business.
(pause first, condition and convince self, hehe)
okay, attempt futile. brain refuses to cooperate. : )
i'm stating the obvious, but i love being back in school. i love learning from my professors and classmates. the eager beaver in me is rejoicing at being given opportunities to read and recite.
it's not easy since i'm still working full time and trying hard to make time for friends, but i don't see myself giving up anytime soon. i don't care that i got sick a few times last term. i'm in no rush, i can always take a lighter load if my work load becomes heavier than usual.
i'm not complaining, not at all. in fact, i feel so grateful that i'm doing this right now. if you told me a year ago that this is where i'd be, that this is what i'd be doing, i wouldn't have believed you. i would have thought that you were just pulling my leg.
after all, i was just picking up the pieces of myself, trying to get back on track. studying was so far off - making myself whole again was my priority. it was my heart that needed attention; my mind had to take a backseat.
but now, i'm okay. i'm happy. sometimes, i even find myself wondering if i deserve all that i'm getting - this seems too good to be true. i know that i prayed and hoped for this for a long time, but it's still incredible that i have it now.
enough of the mush. back to the real world which includes an accounting presentation that i still have to do. hehe. : )
Showing posts with label ateneo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ateneo. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
schedule, schedule
kagabi ko lang na-realize na ganito pala ang sched ko this week, until next week:
monday: class
wednesday: 2 classes
friday: class (though make-up lang ito)
saturday: whole-day new student orientation and prayer meeting
sunday: FRM homecoming
next monday: group meeting (on a holiday!)
next wednesday: 2 classes
next friday: class (make-up ulit)
oo nga pala, full-time pa rin akong nagtatrabaho.
grabe, para akong nagsaksak ng sarili. parang lang naman. ; )
monday: class
wednesday: 2 classes
friday: class (though make-up lang ito)
saturday: whole-day new student orientation and prayer meeting
sunday: FRM homecoming
next monday: group meeting (on a holiday!)
next wednesday: 2 classes
next friday: class (make-up ulit)
oo nga pala, full-time pa rin akong nagtatrabaho.
grabe, para akong nagsaksak ng sarili. parang lang naman. ; )
Monday, July 21, 2008
the nerd goes back to her comfort zone : )
wow, it's been over two months since i last posted here!
since then, nakaakyat na ako ng mt. sembrano, at nakapunta na ng mt. pinatubo. nagkita-kita na ulit kami ng embryo, at ng thesis mates ko. at nag-aaral na ako ulit. : )
i started my MBA in ateneo rockwell last july 14. i'm taking 3 subjects this trisem - business communication, managerial statistics and applied math. so far, so good. i got home from buscom at past 11, since the class is from 6 to 9. pero okay lang.
we had a presentation last night, and a really exhilarating feeling came over me right after we finished. i don't know, i guess it's just the rush that comes after you've done something well. it's been three years since i was last in school, and there's nothing like compliments from the professor to make you feel that it's been worth the effort. plus, since our group is done, petiks muna kami next meeting. wahaha!
since then, nakaakyat na ako ng mt. sembrano, at nakapunta na ng mt. pinatubo. nagkita-kita na ulit kami ng embryo, at ng thesis mates ko. at nag-aaral na ako ulit. : )
i started my MBA in ateneo rockwell last july 14. i'm taking 3 subjects this trisem - business communication, managerial statistics and applied math. so far, so good. i got home from buscom at past 11, since the class is from 6 to 9. pero okay lang.
we had a presentation last night, and a really exhilarating feeling came over me right after we finished. i don't know, i guess it's just the rush that comes after you've done something well. it's been three years since i was last in school, and there's nothing like compliments from the professor to make you feel that it's been worth the effort. plus, since our group is done, petiks muna kami next meeting. wahaha!
getting back to school is probably the biggest decision i made for myself recently (this, and asking for a lateral transfer at work a little over a year ago). this means that i will be broke and harrassed for probably the next three years. my practically non-existent social life will plummet to the darkest depths of nothingness (if that is even possible). i expect that at some points, i will regret this. after all, who wants to be bogged down with projects and papers? i know all these, but getting back to school feels right to me now.
what better timing could i ask for? i'm young and single. i still have the eager beaver spirit of my high school years. my work and my friends' experiences in their jobs make the theories real to me. i believe that i am still a sponge. i crave for experiences that will add to my knowledge, challenge my beliefs, and widen my perspective.
there, i have just recounted to myself why i am doing this. gives me something to go back to when stat and math start to get the better of me. : )
Saturday, January 12, 2008
these make it all worthwhile
during college, i was part of gabay, a socially-oriented organization. we tutored grade 6 kids, & support some of them throughout high school. when i was in fourth year, we had a scholar named mark, who was a freshman in ateneo high. pa-graduate na siya this year! this was his letter, which we got through our egroup:
It has already been four years of great Atenean experience being a scholar of Gabay. Having a 100% tuition and fees financial aid, a monthly allowance and a chance to study in a very prestigious school, no doubt, one will get more motivated to deliver more than what is required. More than these things though, Gabay has given me this great opportunity to lay out the foundation for my future. This kind of opportunity rarely comes in our lives and I know by myself that this won’t simply be wasted.
When I was still in Grade six, entering the Ateneo wasn’t on my mind. I just thought of that idea as something impossible to happen, knowing that I wasn’t included in the list of three people who would take the entrance exam. I also thought that my parents wouldn’t send me to this very prestigious school because of financial incapability. But fortunately, Gabay opened up a door of opportunities. They helped me take the exam and they even prepared me for it. I remembered, we arranged all the files needed for the entrance exam only on the day of the deadline. That’s also the time a benefactor came up. Luckily, I passed the exam and the interview. Hopefully, through my efforts in studies, I have been able to demonstrate my greatest gratitude for the kindness and opportunities this organization has been giving me.
Two persons that took a big part on this achievement were Kuya IC, a Gabay member, and Ms. Marcia Gokongwei. Kuya IC was the one responsible for organizing my scholarship documents and files needed for the entrance exam. Also, because high school life in Ateneo is most certainly different from the simple and trouble-free life that I knew in grade school, he guided me and gave pieces of advice for some adjustments. On the other hand, Ms. Marcia Gokongwei is the one sustaining my monthly allowance since first year. She made it easier for my family and me because we don’t have to worry about my daily expenses in school. I believe that with the exclusive assistance of Kuya IC and Ms. Marcia, I was able to cope up the requirements needed during my four years in high school.
Gabay has always been very supportive of me and at the same time, very reliable. They have been providing me tutorial sessions since my first year. I was also given the privilege of entering the Gabay room where a lot of Ates and Kuyas would always help me and would always surround me with an air of encouragement and strength. The brotherhood and sisterhood I learned from this organization made me realized that helping out someone is one best way of expressing my gratitude to the blessings God has been providing me. I realized that Gabay has granted me these precious and valuable presents and there is really nothing more that I can ask for.
I believe that studying here in the Ateneo with the Gabay at my back has brought me in a relentless drive and determination of proving that I am worthy of receiving this honor of being a Gabay scholar. I am very thankful for being the recipient of Gabay scholarship. I’m also thankful for all the knowledge and advices that my Ates and Kuyas have always been providing me. I’m sure this organization will serve as a model to everyone and certainly, God will prolong this organization doing its whole-hearted and remarkable service so that many people will also get the same opportunities that have been granted to me.
Hopefully, if God will let me in the Ateneo College, undeniably, I will support this organization to the best of my capabilities and be very active so that I can help it become more beneficial than already it is. The exceptional help and provisions of this whole organization continue to encourage me to surpass all the struggles and uncertainties that come along my way of reaching my dreams. Thank you very much and God Bless you all and your families.
Sincerely Yours,
Joseph Mark H. Jimenez
kung matiyaga ka at binasa mo ito nang buo, maiintindihan mo kung bakit naluha ako dito. sobrang affirming. it reminded me that what we busied ourselves with in the organization really bore fruit. mas natuwa pa ako nung nalaman kong nakapasa si mark sa ateneo, BS ECE ang course. wow.
thank you Lord! : )
last december 19, our company hosted a jollibee kiddie party for the kids of caritas manila. i was part of the team that organized it. according to ma'am kristine, there were two kids who really wanted to touch jollibee, but were too shy to do it along with the other kids. kaya huli na silang lumapit. here's their pic, taken by sir noli, our corporate affairs head:
pagod na pagod kami after the party, but things like this push all the weariness away.
so, kailan at saan ang sunod na outreach?! ; )
It has already been four years of great Atenean experience being a scholar of Gabay. Having a 100% tuition and fees financial aid, a monthly allowance and a chance to study in a very prestigious school, no doubt, one will get more motivated to deliver more than what is required. More than these things though, Gabay has given me this great opportunity to lay out the foundation for my future. This kind of opportunity rarely comes in our lives and I know by myself that this won’t simply be wasted.
When I was still in Grade six, entering the Ateneo wasn’t on my mind. I just thought of that idea as something impossible to happen, knowing that I wasn’t included in the list of three people who would take the entrance exam. I also thought that my parents wouldn’t send me to this very prestigious school because of financial incapability. But fortunately, Gabay opened up a door of opportunities. They helped me take the exam and they even prepared me for it. I remembered, we arranged all the files needed for the entrance exam only on the day of the deadline. That’s also the time a benefactor came up. Luckily, I passed the exam and the interview. Hopefully, through my efforts in studies, I have been able to demonstrate my greatest gratitude for the kindness and opportunities this organization has been giving me.
Two persons that took a big part on this achievement were Kuya IC, a Gabay member, and Ms. Marcia Gokongwei. Kuya IC was the one responsible for organizing my scholarship documents and files needed for the entrance exam. Also, because high school life in Ateneo is most certainly different from the simple and trouble-free life that I knew in grade school, he guided me and gave pieces of advice for some adjustments. On the other hand, Ms. Marcia Gokongwei is the one sustaining my monthly allowance since first year. She made it easier for my family and me because we don’t have to worry about my daily expenses in school. I believe that with the exclusive assistance of Kuya IC and Ms. Marcia, I was able to cope up the requirements needed during my four years in high school.
Gabay has always been very supportive of me and at the same time, very reliable. They have been providing me tutorial sessions since my first year. I was also given the privilege of entering the Gabay room where a lot of Ates and Kuyas would always help me and would always surround me with an air of encouragement and strength. The brotherhood and sisterhood I learned from this organization made me realized that helping out someone is one best way of expressing my gratitude to the blessings God has been providing me. I realized that Gabay has granted me these precious and valuable presents and there is really nothing more that I can ask for.
I believe that studying here in the Ateneo with the Gabay at my back has brought me in a relentless drive and determination of proving that I am worthy of receiving this honor of being a Gabay scholar. I am very thankful for being the recipient of Gabay scholarship. I’m also thankful for all the knowledge and advices that my Ates and Kuyas have always been providing me. I’m sure this organization will serve as a model to everyone and certainly, God will prolong this organization doing its whole-hearted and remarkable service so that many people will also get the same opportunities that have been granted to me.
Hopefully, if God will let me in the Ateneo College, undeniably, I will support this organization to the best of my capabilities and be very active so that I can help it become more beneficial than already it is. The exceptional help and provisions of this whole organization continue to encourage me to surpass all the struggles and uncertainties that come along my way of reaching my dreams. Thank you very much and God Bless you all and your families.
Sincerely Yours,
Joseph Mark H. Jimenez
kung matiyaga ka at binasa mo ito nang buo, maiintindihan mo kung bakit naluha ako dito. sobrang affirming. it reminded me that what we busied ourselves with in the organization really bore fruit. mas natuwa pa ako nung nalaman kong nakapasa si mark sa ateneo, BS ECE ang course. wow.
thank you Lord! : )
= = = = = = = = = =
last december 19, our company hosted a jollibee kiddie party for the kids of caritas manila. i was part of the team that organized it. according to ma'am kristine, there were two kids who really wanted to touch jollibee, but were too shy to do it along with the other kids. kaya huli na silang lumapit. here's their pic, taken by sir noli, our corporate affairs head:
pagod na pagod kami after the party, but things like this push all the weariness away.
so, kailan at saan ang sunod na outreach?! ; )
Monday, September 24, 2007
the monstrosity that is the ateneo diploma
believe it or not, i still have 11.5 days of unavailed vacation leave. sabi nga ng boss ko, mag-leave na lang ako every friday para magamit ko. hmm, tempting. :)
ewan ko, pero parang weird naman kung every friday. kaya nag-sched na lang ako nang paunti-unti. yung consecutive five-day leave ko, sa november pa. pero nag-leave ako ngayon para kunin ang aking long-overdue diploma.
i went to the registrar to apply for it. i was expecting to be advised when i could get it. to my surprise, available na! wow, it took dean cruz only 2 and a half years to sign it this time. dati kasi, 3 years daw. hehe. (but we psych majors are still not the last ones to get our diplomas. sabi ni tenten, hindi pa rin daw nakukuha ni ate maria yung diploma niya, to think that she graduated the same time we did. grabe ang english dept!)
since it was in latin, i requested for an english translation. that cost me 80 bucks. nakakainis! well, medyo. just think, you toiled away for four grueling years only to get a diploma that you don't understand. where's justice in that? i'm being so melodramatic. hehe.
(oo nga pala, pangit din yung papel - parchment lang! buti pa sa uste, colored at makapal.)
nakakatawa kasi nung inaabot sa akin nung guy yung diploma, nag-explain pa siya:
guy: miss, once lang po kami mag-i-issue nito. kaya pag nasunog, nawala o nabasa, hindi ka na pwede mag-request ulit. gusto mo po bang mag-apply for a certified true copy?
me (thinking quietly): pagkatapos mo akong takutin nang ganyan, makaka-hindi pa ba ako?
seriously. tama ba naman yon! hehe. :)
i knew the diploma was big, but i didn't realize how big. just to give you an idea:
grabe. i had trouble taking it home, as it was raining. iniisip ko nga, idiretso ko na sa taga-frame. kaso, wala nga pala akong perang pang-deposit kung sakali. hehe!
finally, masasabi ko nang graduate na talaga ako. :)
ewan ko, pero parang weird naman kung every friday. kaya nag-sched na lang ako nang paunti-unti. yung consecutive five-day leave ko, sa november pa. pero nag-leave ako ngayon para kunin ang aking long-overdue diploma.
i went to the registrar to apply for it. i was expecting to be advised when i could get it. to my surprise, available na! wow, it took dean cruz only 2 and a half years to sign it this time. dati kasi, 3 years daw. hehe. (but we psych majors are still not the last ones to get our diplomas. sabi ni tenten, hindi pa rin daw nakukuha ni ate maria yung diploma niya, to think that she graduated the same time we did. grabe ang english dept!)
since it was in latin, i requested for an english translation. that cost me 80 bucks. nakakainis! well, medyo. just think, you toiled away for four grueling years only to get a diploma that you don't understand. where's justice in that? i'm being so melodramatic. hehe.
(oo nga pala, pangit din yung papel - parchment lang! buti pa sa uste, colored at makapal.)
nakakatawa kasi nung inaabot sa akin nung guy yung diploma, nag-explain pa siya:
guy: miss, once lang po kami mag-i-issue nito. kaya pag nasunog, nawala o nabasa, hindi ka na pwede mag-request ulit. gusto mo po bang mag-apply for a certified true copy?
me (thinking quietly): pagkatapos mo akong takutin nang ganyan, makaka-hindi pa ba ako?
seriously. tama ba naman yon! hehe. :)
i knew the diploma was big, but i didn't realize how big. just to give you an idea:
grabe. i had trouble taking it home, as it was raining. iniisip ko nga, idiretso ko na sa taga-frame. kaso, wala nga pala akong perang pang-deposit kung sakali. hehe!
finally, masasabi ko nang graduate na talaga ako. :)
grace & papu at work
i am currently handling the development of our annual report, & papu's agency is bidding. here are snippets of our emails:
Hi Grace!
May we go there to present the Annual Report Concept tomorrow at 3pm? Please advise.
Thanks,
Papu
Yes, 3pm is okay with us.
Thanks, Papu.
Oki oki.
Wow we are so formal. Huwaw. Hahahaha. So how are you my darling bee?
Hi Grace!
Please see my comments below, in pink. Hope everything is clarified. Please advise if there are other concerns.
Thanks!
Papu
-----Original Message-----
From: Grace Roselle D. Sarmiento
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 11:04 AM
To: Papu Abjelina
Subject: Re: Annual Report Quote
Good morning, Papu!
Thank you for the quotation. I have to tell you though, that your quote is way above the quote of the other four agencies that presented. I'm afraid that we would not be able to consider your proposal, if the cost remains such. Would it be possible for you to send us a revised quote within the day, so that we could decide? We need it ASAP, as the paper is due tomorrow.
Just some clarifications on the current quote:
1. Photography - Does the P100K already take into consideration that many shots will probably have to be done outdoors? Our assumption here is that we will have photos similar to the one you used for the Financial Scoreboard. How many photos are included in the P100K? Does this already include the make-up artist?
The typical price per set-up is around 8 to 10,000, depending on the shots that we'll be taking. Our photos will mostly be shot indoors, with a few shots outdoors (much like We can factor in the make-up artist with the cost.
2. Final Artwork - How did you arrive at the FA cost computation?
As per our telecon, Final Artwork means the material ready for release. We have a specific rate that is:
a) Size of the file: 100php per megabyte of the file. (in this case it is 20 MB per page, with 90 pages)
b) Computer time: 2700 php per hour (in this case around 22 hours for the entire thing)
Please note that this rate that we are giving is standard supplier rate, as this is done by a third party.
3. Printing - Could you send us a quote for perfect binding instead (the committee was not too keen on the ring bind)? Also, would the unit cost remain the same whether we print 700 or 900 copies?
Re: perfect binding, as per our printer, the cost would still remain the same whether or not we use the ring bind. The unit cost is stilll the same whether we print 700 or 900 php.
As per our conversation, however, we can still package the cost as we can flexible with the package. If possible, let us know how you would like us to package the cost, to fit everything into your budget. We're open to adjustments with regards to the costs. Hope you can advise.
Thanks!
Papu
Hi, Papu.
Explanations noted. I'm afraid that I can't give you a budget or a price range, as that would be unfair to the other agencies. Will just wait for your new quotation.
Thanks. : )
Hi Grace,
Kindly see the attached revised quotation for your perusal. Please note that we've made the printing costs separate from our costs, as that is a third party. We've adjusted the cost items that will be credited to ___ perse. However, please note that we will still look for a printer that will print within the budget. We'll help find suppliers who will give lower quotations.
Please do let us know if the attached is alright with you.
Thanks and we hope to work with you soon!
Good afternoon, Papu!
We appreciate the adjustments you made in the cost. We also appreciate your effort in looking for a cheaper printer. In line with this, could we ask you to quote the printing cost based on the following specs?
Size: A4
Paper Stock: Cover - C2S # 220
Inside - Matte # 120
Color: Full
Cover Finish: Matte lamination with spot UV
Binding: Perfect Binding
We have also asked the other agencies to quote using the above specs, so that we could compare the proposals better.
Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.
Bago ko sagutin ng seryoso:
Who would have known that we'd go from you consoling me with BTS after theo orals to THIS? kulang nalang gamitan kita ng "AS PER OUR LAST EMAIL"
Hehehe. HEHEHEH!!!
Love,
papu
Oo nga, e. Who would have known? : )
Hi Grace!
May we go there to present the Annual Report Concept tomorrow at 3pm? Please advise.
Thanks,
Papu
Yes, 3pm is okay with us.
Thanks, Papu.
Oki oki.
Wow we are so formal. Huwaw. Hahahaha. So how are you my darling bee?
= = = = = = = = = =
Hi Grace!
Please see my comments below, in pink. Hope everything is clarified. Please advise if there are other concerns.
Thanks!
Papu
-----Original Message-----
From: Grace Roselle D. Sarmiento
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 11:04 AM
To: Papu Abjelina
Subject: Re: Annual Report Quote
Good morning, Papu!
Thank you for the quotation. I have to tell you though, that your quote is way above the quote of the other four agencies that presented. I'm afraid that we would not be able to consider your proposal, if the cost remains such. Would it be possible for you to send us a revised quote within the day, so that we could decide? We need it ASAP, as the paper is due tomorrow.
Just some clarifications on the current quote:
1. Photography - Does the P100K already take into consideration that many shots will probably have to be done outdoors? Our assumption here is that we will have photos similar to the one you used for the Financial Scoreboard. How many photos are included in the P100K? Does this already include the make-up artist?
The typical price per set-up is around 8 to 10,000, depending on the shots that we'll be taking. Our photos will mostly be shot indoors, with a few shots outdoors (much like We can factor in the make-up artist with the cost.
2. Final Artwork - How did you arrive at the FA cost computation?
As per our telecon, Final Artwork means the material ready for release. We have a specific rate that is:
a) Size of the file: 100php per megabyte of the file. (in this case it is 20 MB per page, with 90 pages)
b) Computer time: 2700 php per hour (in this case around 22 hours for the entire thing)
Please note that this rate that we are giving is standard supplier rate, as this is done by a third party.
3. Printing - Could you send us a quote for perfect binding instead (the committee was not too keen on the ring bind)? Also, would the unit cost remain the same whether we print 700 or 900 copies?
Re: perfect binding, as per our printer, the cost would still remain the same whether or not we use the ring bind. The unit cost is stilll the same whether we print 700 or 900 php.
As per our conversation, however, we can still package the cost as we can flexible with the package. If possible, let us know how you would like us to package the cost, to fit everything into your budget. We're open to adjustments with regards to the costs. Hope you can advise.
Thanks!
Papu
Hi, Papu.
Explanations noted. I'm afraid that I can't give you a budget or a price range, as that would be unfair to the other agencies. Will just wait for your new quotation.
Thanks. : )
Hi Grace,
Kindly see the attached revised quotation for your perusal. Please note that we've made the printing costs separate from our costs, as that is a third party. We've adjusted the cost items that will be credited to ___ perse. However, please note that we will still look for a printer that will print within the budget. We'll help find suppliers who will give lower quotations.
Please do let us know if the attached is alright with you.
Thanks and we hope to work with you soon!
Good afternoon, Papu!
We appreciate the adjustments you made in the cost. We also appreciate your effort in looking for a cheaper printer. In line with this, could we ask you to quote the printing cost based on the following specs?
Size: A4
Paper Stock: Cover - C2S # 220
Inside - Matte # 120
Color: Full
Cover Finish: Matte lamination with spot UV
Binding: Perfect Binding
We have also asked the other agencies to quote using the above specs, so that we could compare the proposals better.
Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.
Bago ko sagutin ng seryoso:
Who would have known that we'd go from you consoling me with BTS after theo orals to THIS? kulang nalang gamitan kita ng "AS PER OUR LAST EMAIL"
Hehehe. HEHEHEH!!!
Love,
papu
Oo nga, e. Who would have known? : )
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
the battle of ateneo (harry potter and the deathly hallows - ateneo version)
got this through email. benta, i swear. lalo na si padre ferriols, father dacanay at dr. rosana (the last two were my teachers). mahaba nga lang, but i encourage you to read on. walang mapipikon, ha. ;)
This was written by Miguel Antonio Lizada and was taken from www.animoateneo.com.
This started as three separate entries in my blog I must be honest and say that this was nothing but a mere product of boredom. I wrote this after re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and after asking myself "What would Ateneo be like if it was attacked by Voldemort and his dark creatures?"
Friends who read my blog forwarded this to their friends who in turn forwarded it to their friends. At the request of my colleagues here in AnimoAteneo. com and people who have enjoyed this, I have edited and polished this story as well as added a few new elements to it.
Just a few pre-reading reminders:
This, in essence is a parody of Ateneo life. Yes, there are of course anti-school and UAAP-based jokes here and there but this mainly satirizes Ateneo life - the people, the language, the culture etc.
This is also a parody of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Its ending resembles the ending of the Harry Potter book. So if you have not yet read the book and you do not wish to be spoiled, I must warn you to read at your own risk.
My thanks to those who have enjoyed what-used-to- be-just-a-time-filler and to those who contributed several suggestions.
Chapter One: Before the Storm
Fr. Bienvenido Nebres SJ was just finishing the day's work when Harry Potter, a senior of the Ateneo de Manila, burst into his office.
"Fr Nebres!" Harry shouted.
"Harry!" a surprised Nebres said. "I thought you were out of school destroying the horcruxes to kill Lord Voldemort."
"That's what I wanted to tell you. I discovered that there are two horcruxes here in Ateneo itself. Voldemort has enlisted the help of the De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas. They are coming."
"Don't worry, Harry." Nebres said "You know for a fact that Ateneo -- its teachers and students -- are more than capable of defending our Loyola campus. We will hold them off while you search for the horcruxes and destroy them. You will need this." He waved of his wand and out of the air appeared a sword. "The sword of St. Ignatius." Nebres said. "Powerful enough to destroy the two horcruxes."
"Thank you, Father" Harry said. And with that, he sped off to find the last two things which protect Lord Voldemort.
Nebres then waved his wand once more and this time, four people appeared in his office. "Marlu, Rudy, Toby and Joey. The school is in danger."
Nebres then explained the situation to the four Deans of the Ateneo de Manila University. "I want you to assemble all remaining students in the college covered courts. We must evacuate the freshmen through Marikina. The sophomore, junior and senior students may stay and fight if they want to. Next, I need you to assemble all the teachers, both part-time and full-time."
Without a word, the four deans Disapparated and went on with their tasks. Nebres too Disapparated back to the Jesuit Residence and briefed the Society about the impending attack.
Fr. Adolfo Dacanay was the assigned to lead the Jesuits to battle "My team is ready to fight anytime anywhere. We will crush them!"
"Excellent." Nebres said
After a few minutes, Nebres, the four Deans and some members of the faculty and administration gathered in Xavier Hall to discuss the battle plan.
"The School of Humanities can summon mythical creatures to help defend us," Marlu Vilches said. "The English Department professors are summoning creatures from Dante's Inferno and Greek Mythology as we speak. The Filipino Department is summoning all the manananggals and white ladies from the haunted trees on campus.
"The Philosophy Department," interjected Fr. Ferriols "is summoning creatures from Meron pond right now. Those rascals will soon feel the wrath of Meron! Magiging WALA silang lahat! Konsepto lamang yan sila!"
"Now is the time to test the newest chemicals and inventions from our SEC laboratories. " Toby Dayrit said, "The Department of Environmental Science professors are enchanting the trees to life right now. We will purge them with the help of Mother Nature."
"I have just received a call from MVP," Rudy Ang said. "Reinforcements from Makati are coming soon."
"My apples and sunshine are ready to fight as well," Tim Gabuna said. "Go CERSA!"
"I have just finished briefing my school. The Department of History is ready to fight. The Western history professors led by Dave Lozada and JoEd Tirol are summoning the three hundred Spartans and soldiers from the World War II to fight. Fr Bulatao and the Department of Psychology are locked inside the SocSci Conference room right now. They will use their psychic powers to toy with our enemy's mind," said Fr. Joey Cruz.
"I have roused the athletes also," Norman Black beside Ricky Palou said. "They are ready to put up One Big Fight with their super strength."
A voice interrupted them. "I KNOW YOU ARE PREPARING TO FIGHT! You are no match for us! I have allied myself with the La Salle brothers and the Dominicans of UST. You cannot win against me, Jesuits. Push the limit! Animo Spirit! Give us Harry Potter and the sword of St. Ignatius and we will let you live! We will even let you win some of the games."
Chapter Two: More Help
The Ateneans ignored the warning and instead began to prepare for the impending battle. A few minutes later, the voice shouted for a second time:
"I can see you are not listening! It is such a pity. What happened to your Prayer for Generosity? Give me Harry Potter and the Sword of St. Ignatius. Give without counting the cost, you always say! You have until midnight. I also call on all students of La Salle Greenhills and La Salle Zobel. It is not too late. Come and join us. Convert! Repent!"
Fr. Dacanay, interrupting his briefing with his exorcists turned and said "The idiot is taking the prayer out of context. Besides, St. Ignatius also said to fight without fear of being wounded. And we will do just that."
Three figures -- two women and a man -- suddenly appeared. "We are from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology," said the man.
"Ricky Abad!" Fr. Nebres exclaimed.
"I brought with me our Department Chair Bopeep Saloma-Akpedonu. And this is Czarina Medina, one of our newest lecturers. We apologize for being late. We were preparing our I-bombs."
"I-bombs? What are I-bombs?" Nebres asked.
"Ideology bombs. Once they detonate, they will spread false consciousness in the area -- the La Salle brothers and the Tomasians will think they are winning. It is all false really. We will use their pride against them."
"Excellent, excellent," Nebres said. "And here comes Andrew Ty and Mark Escaler for the Department of Communication. "
"Yes!" Escaler said. "We will infiltrate their communication processes by adding "noise" and ambiguity between the message relay of the sender and the receiver so orders can be reversed and thwarted!"
"The creatures from my horror films are coming!" Andrew Ty said. "We will use them to our advantage!"
"Father President! Some people are coming!" somebody shouted.
Some five hundred people then Apparated out of nowhere. Wearing either red or white shirts, they marched towards Nebres. A young man then stepped forward.
"We are from the University of the Philippines," said the young man. "For years, our academic communities have built a strong relationship with each other. We have shared professors. We went to rallies together. We have had our differences, yes. But in the end, our similarities and accomplishments outweigh our differences...We are here to help! We are honored to fight with Ateneo once more!"
Cheers and applause errupted from all sides.
"Let's make baka! Don't be takot! Let's make baka! Don't be takot! Let's make baka! Don't be takot! Let's make baba from the hill," the Ateneans cheered.
Five minutes to midnight.
The School of Humanities stood with their mythical creatures summoned from the Classics, and the haunted trees and the gigantic swamp creatures from the Meron pond.
The John Gokongwei School of Management with their reinforcements from Makati, along with Venus Ibarra, Ricky Pilar and other professors.
The School of Science and Engineering with their mysterious inventions and weapons. The gigantic trees in the campus now walking sluggishly by their side.
The School of Social Sciences with their unique yet powerful defensive weapons; the Psychology Department ready for the psy-war.
The Ateneo Professional Schools ready to defend their Loyola-based counterparts; the two fraternities in the Law School forging a temporary alliance.
The Alumni, the D.A. (Dalandan's Army), led by Benjie Laza and Mon Cualoping.
The statues of Thomas More, Horacio dela Costa, and the Blue Eagle come to life.
The students from U.P.
Two horcruxes left.
Now all is still, where Loyola's colors fly.
Chapter Three: One Big Fight
Midnight.
There was a burst of light emanating from the sky, brighter than the moon and the stars. What seemed like a horde of fireflies turned out to be arrows. Thousands of arrows. Tips on fire.
The arrows struck the Blue Eagle Gym. The oldest building in the University. The symbol of their athletic pride. Now aflame.
Toby Dayrit tossed a beaker of water to the burning building. He pointed his wand at the beaker now mid-air and shouted his spell, "magis." The water transformed into a surf huge enough to douse the fire. The Blue Eagle Gym was safe.
The Archers outside roared their disappointment. But they shot again, this time targeting the Erenchun soccer field where some of the Ateneans were camped. Nebres pointed his wand at the arrows raining from the sky and shouted his incantation, "Cura personalis" and the thousand arrows turned into bubbles.
The Ateneans cheered. The first two attacks of the LaSallians and the Tomasians have been thwarted.
"You have had your fun, Ateneans." a voice boomed. "Now it is time to get serious."
Darkness suddenly enveloped the University. The enemy had sabotaged their electricity. Immediately all the Ateneans took out and flickered their wands, "Lux in Domino" they chanted. Light emanated from all the wands.
The illumination came just in time as suddenly a stampede crushed the fences between Gate 2 and Gate 2.5. The Ateneans have realized the magnitude of their danger: it was not just the LaSallians or even just the Tomasians they were confronting; the other schools were there as well. A thousand Green Archers were riding the backs of the giant tigers of UST. Charging with them were the giant tamaraws and a hundred warriors whose bodies were painted red war paint. Above, falcons were soaring in the sky.
"YOU FOUL THINGS, noh?" somebody from the Ateneo crowd shouted, charging at the stampede; it was Tessa Rosana. "How dare you attack us, noh? You don't know who you are dealing with, noh? TAKE THIS, noh?" She hit her gong with all her might. A powerful sound wave spread throughout the area knocking a hundred Archers and animals out.
"HA! noh?" she triumphantly yelled.
And so the other Ateneans started counterattacking as well. David Lozada and his 300 Spartans. The ROTC cadets. The mythical creatures of the School of Humanities. Dalandan's Army.
Ricky Abad and the Department of Sociology soon deployed their Ideology Bombs prompting some of the LaSallians to cheer instead of fighting. "Strawberry shortcake nananananana. " "Recticano! Recticano", allowing some of the Ateneans to easily knock the LaSallians out.
Somewhere near the Covered Courts, Norman Black was briefing his team, "Nonoy. I want you here. Chris, here. Jai, there. Alright? Any questions?"
"Aaaaah! GOD DAMN IT!" a raspy voice screamed. It was Joe Lipa, former coach of the Blue Eagles, who arrived with the contingent from UP. "Just charge! Attack them! Now!" And so they did.
The LaSalle brothers and Francisco of UST were outside, watching the battle, waiting for their turn to strike.
A handful of LaSallians were found trotting back to their base.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?" Francisco yelled.
"You told us to retreat!" the Archer said.
"You idiot! That's just Escaler and Bulatao toying with your minds! Go back! That's it! I am joining the battle!"
She then stepped forward lifted her two arms and shouted "Tiger Power! Raar! Tiger Power! Raar!" The LaSalle brothers thought she had lost her mind. But then she suddenly transformed into a giant tigress, twice larger and fiercer than the ordinary tigers. Seeing their comrade ready and willing to fight, the LaSallians cheered.
"HOY!" Goldie the Tiger roared. "NO CHEERING DURING BATTLE! NO CHEERING!" Then she advanced.
Her first target was Fr. Dacanay who was busy exorcising some of the Archers and paralyzing them.
"FATHER! Behind you!"
Quickly, Dacanay whirled and performed his own counterattack "Expellus Inferius" blasting her into the middle of the Erenchun field, knocking her out.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" The La Salle brothers shouted upon seeing their comrade down. "It is time we even the score."
The earth began to quake. And out of the night came a gigantic robot. It was DLRT; the LaSallians had transformed and brought the LRT-1 which passed Taft Avenue into a robot.
DLRT was making quick work of the Ateneans and their creatures, crushing the mythical creatures here and there, tossing the trees brought to life by the Department of Environmental Science.
"Let us not lose hope!" Nebres said. "We are after all committed to hope."
"Now is not the time to talk about GK, Father!" somebody said.
"I am not talking about GK. I am talking about SECtor."
He pointed his wand the Science Education Complex. The building shook and assembled itself into a robot. SEC A was the head and the torso. SEC B became the left arm and leg and SEC C became the right.
"Mang Freddie!" Nebres called.
"I am ready, Father!" shouted Freddie, the man in charge of Escaler Hall which has now become the control room SECtor.
"Attack, Freddie! One Big Fight."
DLRT was no match and quickly collapsed under the strength of SECtor.
"Fr Nebres!" Harry Potter appeared. "Two horcruxes have been destroyed and..."
"Animo La Salle!" "Animo La Salle!" "Animo La Salle!"
There were screams of terror. The LaSalle brothers had entered the battle. They were using their most dangerous spell: The Animo LaSalle -- the Killing Curse!
Finale: The Animo Wand
Ateneans were dropping dead left and right. The Animo La Salle curse was unblockable. Some of the more veteran teachers provided extra defense and protection to the students but most of their efforts were futile. Dacanay and his Jesuit team however managed to stun a few Archers.
Victory however seemed far-fetched. Francisco had been revived from the Stunning Spell. Back in human form, she was battling Jai Reyes, Kirk Long and Chris Tiu at the same time. While the players were certainly skillful, Francisco was able to block all spells launched by the Blue Eagles.
Francisco pointed her wand at Chris Tiu and shouted "Animo La Salle!" But the curse missed him by an inch.
"Not Chris Tiu, you BIATCH!" somebody shouted; it was Achoot Cuyegkeng. "Out of my way! Out of my way! SHE's MINE!"
Francisco laughed. "You are no match for me! I am the greatest servant of the Dominicans! What's gonna happen to your Loyola Schools after I kill you?! What's gonna happen to your Blue Eagles after I kill Chrissy?"
"You will never touch any of our students again!!" Cuyegkeng said.
Francisco laughed. And with her unerring skill as jack-of-all-trades Professor Cuygekeng sent a Stunning Curse at her opponent. The curse hit her squarely on the chest, knocking her out once more.
"Enough!" Harry shouted. "Voldemort! Where are you? You have been using the LaSallians and the other schools to come after me. Where are you?"
"I am here, Potter," a voice hissed. The voice came from Bro. Armin.
"Brother Armin?"
"No! I am Voldemort! Armind is my past, present and future. See?" he wrote the word Armind then with a flicker of his wand the word became Voldemort.
"I don't get it." Harry said
"Ako rin!" an Atenean said.
"Ha? Can you make ulit?" another one shouted.
"How did Armind become Voldemort?"
"Bai, nalibog na ko!" A Cebuano Atenean shouted.
"Bah! Never mind! Anyone knows the LaSallians can't spell. So anyway, I stunned Armind a few days ago and using his name and face I used the school and all the other schools to come and find you!"
"But you are too late. I destroyed all the horcruxes!"
"No, Potter. I win. You see, while I was Bro. Armind. I was able to find the long lost and most powerful wand in the entire world -- the Animo Wand! And you will be its first victim!"
"Are you kidding me, Tom?" Harry said. "Don't you get it? The wand chooses the school. The Animo wand does not belong to La Salle! It belongs to the Ateneo."
"No! You are the fool! The LaSallians have been cheering Animo La Salle for such a long time. The LaSallians truly own the wand and since I am a LaSallian for now, I own it. Die Potter die!"
"But you see, Riddle, you did not review University histories. If you did, you would know that the Ateneans used AnimoAteneo first. And they still use it now. There is even a website right now named AnimoAteneo.com. The Ateneans have reclaimed Animo Ateneo!"
Silence.
"So. It comes down to this, doesn't it?" Harry whispered. "Does your wand know that its original owner still values it? If it does, I AM THE TRUE MASTER OF THE ANIMO WAND!"
Voldemort points his wand at Harry who in turn has prepared for the final duel.
"ANIMO LA SALLE!" Voldemort shouted.
"OH! GET. THAT.WAND!" Harry shouted.
The curse rebounded and hit Voldemort instead of Harry who caught the Animo Wand with his other hand. Cheers from the Ateneans and even some La Sallians, who realized that they were duped were all around.
That morning both Ateneo and La Salle forged a cease fire -- temporary because the next day was the Ateneo-La Salle basketball championship. Francisco, who was revived after hours of being stunned by Dacanay and Cuyegkeng, decided to lift the "No Cheering!" rule during time out. However, she still flinches whenever Dacanay (or any Jesuit for that matter) would approach her.
There were however, a group of La Sallians who disagreed with having a cease fire. They believed that the death and defeat of Voldemort was unfair so they decided to file a protest. This was later junked due to lack of merit.
Epilogue. Nineteen Years Later.
It was the day of the ACET. Harry Potter was accompanying his son Ben.
"Dad! What if I fail the ACET and end up in DLSU?"
Harry looked at his son and said "Bienvenido Adolfo! You were named after two of the most powerful Jesuits in the country. One of them is a good friend of ours. In fact he was the one who officiated our marriage."
"But... but... so what if I DO fail the ACET and end up in DLSU?"
Eh di bobo ka talaga! Harry thought. But he didn't say that. "But we will still love you as our son!" Harry said. "Alright. Your test starts in a few minutes. Make us proud. One Big Fight."
= = = = = = = = = =
This was written by Miguel Antonio Lizada and was taken from www.animoateneo.com.
This started as three separate entries in my blog I must be honest and say that this was nothing but a mere product of boredom. I wrote this after re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and after asking myself "What would Ateneo be like if it was attacked by Voldemort and his dark creatures?"
Friends who read my blog forwarded this to their friends who in turn forwarded it to their friends. At the request of my colleagues here in AnimoAteneo. com and people who have enjoyed this, I have edited and polished this story as well as added a few new elements to it.
Just a few pre-reading reminders:
This, in essence is a parody of Ateneo life. Yes, there are of course anti-school and UAAP-based jokes here and there but this mainly satirizes Ateneo life - the people, the language, the culture etc.
This is also a parody of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Its ending resembles the ending of the Harry Potter book. So if you have not yet read the book and you do not wish to be spoiled, I must warn you to read at your own risk.
My thanks to those who have enjoyed what-used-to- be-just-a-time-filler and to those who contributed several suggestions.
= = = = = = = = = =
Chapter One: Before the Storm
Fr. Bienvenido Nebres SJ was just finishing the day's work when Harry Potter, a senior of the Ateneo de Manila, burst into his office.
"Fr Nebres!" Harry shouted.
"Harry!" a surprised Nebres said. "I thought you were out of school destroying the horcruxes to kill Lord Voldemort."
"That's what I wanted to tell you. I discovered that there are two horcruxes here in Ateneo itself. Voldemort has enlisted the help of the De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas. They are coming."
"Don't worry, Harry." Nebres said "You know for a fact that Ateneo -- its teachers and students -- are more than capable of defending our Loyola campus. We will hold them off while you search for the horcruxes and destroy them. You will need this." He waved of his wand and out of the air appeared a sword. "The sword of St. Ignatius." Nebres said. "Powerful enough to destroy the two horcruxes."
"Thank you, Father" Harry said. And with that, he sped off to find the last two things which protect Lord Voldemort.
Nebres then waved his wand once more and this time, four people appeared in his office. "Marlu, Rudy, Toby and Joey. The school is in danger."
Nebres then explained the situation to the four Deans of the Ateneo de Manila University. "I want you to assemble all remaining students in the college covered courts. We must evacuate the freshmen through Marikina. The sophomore, junior and senior students may stay and fight if they want to. Next, I need you to assemble all the teachers, both part-time and full-time."
Without a word, the four deans Disapparated and went on with their tasks. Nebres too Disapparated back to the Jesuit Residence and briefed the Society about the impending attack.
Fr. Adolfo Dacanay was the assigned to lead the Jesuits to battle "My team is ready to fight anytime anywhere. We will crush them!"
"Excellent." Nebres said
After a few minutes, Nebres, the four Deans and some members of the faculty and administration gathered in Xavier Hall to discuss the battle plan.
"The School of Humanities can summon mythical creatures to help defend us," Marlu Vilches said. "The English Department professors are summoning creatures from Dante's Inferno and Greek Mythology as we speak. The Filipino Department is summoning all the manananggals and white ladies from the haunted trees on campus.
"The Philosophy Department," interjected Fr. Ferriols "is summoning creatures from Meron pond right now. Those rascals will soon feel the wrath of Meron! Magiging WALA silang lahat! Konsepto lamang yan sila!"
"Now is the time to test the newest chemicals and inventions from our SEC laboratories. " Toby Dayrit said, "The Department of Environmental Science professors are enchanting the trees to life right now. We will purge them with the help of Mother Nature."
"I have just received a call from MVP," Rudy Ang said. "Reinforcements from Makati are coming soon."
"My apples and sunshine are ready to fight as well," Tim Gabuna said. "Go CERSA!"
"I have just finished briefing my school. The Department of History is ready to fight. The Western history professors led by Dave Lozada and JoEd Tirol are summoning the three hundred Spartans and soldiers from the World War II to fight. Fr Bulatao and the Department of Psychology are locked inside the SocSci Conference room right now. They will use their psychic powers to toy with our enemy's mind," said Fr. Joey Cruz.
"I have roused the athletes also," Norman Black beside Ricky Palou said. "They are ready to put up One Big Fight with their super strength."
A voice interrupted them. "I KNOW YOU ARE PREPARING TO FIGHT! You are no match for us! I have allied myself with the La Salle brothers and the Dominicans of UST. You cannot win against me, Jesuits. Push the limit! Animo Spirit! Give us Harry Potter and the sword of St. Ignatius and we will let you live! We will even let you win some of the games."
Chapter Two: More Help
The Ateneans ignored the warning and instead began to prepare for the impending battle. A few minutes later, the voice shouted for a second time:
"I can see you are not listening! It is such a pity. What happened to your Prayer for Generosity? Give me Harry Potter and the Sword of St. Ignatius. Give without counting the cost, you always say! You have until midnight. I also call on all students of La Salle Greenhills and La Salle Zobel. It is not too late. Come and join us. Convert! Repent!"
Fr. Dacanay, interrupting his briefing with his exorcists turned and said "The idiot is taking the prayer out of context. Besides, St. Ignatius also said to fight without fear of being wounded. And we will do just that."
Three figures -- two women and a man -- suddenly appeared. "We are from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology," said the man.
"Ricky Abad!" Fr. Nebres exclaimed.
"I brought with me our Department Chair Bopeep Saloma-Akpedonu. And this is Czarina Medina, one of our newest lecturers. We apologize for being late. We were preparing our I-bombs."
"I-bombs? What are I-bombs?" Nebres asked.
"Ideology bombs. Once they detonate, they will spread false consciousness in the area -- the La Salle brothers and the Tomasians will think they are winning. It is all false really. We will use their pride against them."
"Excellent, excellent," Nebres said. "And here comes Andrew Ty and Mark Escaler for the Department of Communication. "
"Yes!" Escaler said. "We will infiltrate their communication processes by adding "noise" and ambiguity between the message relay of the sender and the receiver so orders can be reversed and thwarted!"
"The creatures from my horror films are coming!" Andrew Ty said. "We will use them to our advantage!"
"Father President! Some people are coming!" somebody shouted.
Some five hundred people then Apparated out of nowhere. Wearing either red or white shirts, they marched towards Nebres. A young man then stepped forward.
"We are from the University of the Philippines," said the young man. "For years, our academic communities have built a strong relationship with each other. We have shared professors. We went to rallies together. We have had our differences, yes. But in the end, our similarities and accomplishments outweigh our differences...We are here to help! We are honored to fight with Ateneo once more!"
Cheers and applause errupted from all sides.
"Let's make baka! Don't be takot! Let's make baka! Don't be takot! Let's make baka! Don't be takot! Let's make baba from the hill," the Ateneans cheered.
Five minutes to midnight.
The School of Humanities stood with their mythical creatures summoned from the Classics, and the haunted trees and the gigantic swamp creatures from the Meron pond.
The John Gokongwei School of Management with their reinforcements from Makati, along with Venus Ibarra, Ricky Pilar and other professors.
The School of Science and Engineering with their mysterious inventions and weapons. The gigantic trees in the campus now walking sluggishly by their side.
The School of Social Sciences with their unique yet powerful defensive weapons; the Psychology Department ready for the psy-war.
The Ateneo Professional Schools ready to defend their Loyola-based counterparts; the two fraternities in the Law School forging a temporary alliance.
The Alumni, the D.A. (Dalandan's Army), led by Benjie Laza and Mon Cualoping.
The statues of Thomas More, Horacio dela Costa, and the Blue Eagle come to life.
The students from U.P.
Two horcruxes left.
Now all is still, where Loyola's colors fly.
Chapter Three: One Big Fight
Midnight.
There was a burst of light emanating from the sky, brighter than the moon and the stars. What seemed like a horde of fireflies turned out to be arrows. Thousands of arrows. Tips on fire.
The arrows struck the Blue Eagle Gym. The oldest building in the University. The symbol of their athletic pride. Now aflame.
Toby Dayrit tossed a beaker of water to the burning building. He pointed his wand at the beaker now mid-air and shouted his spell, "magis." The water transformed into a surf huge enough to douse the fire. The Blue Eagle Gym was safe.
The Archers outside roared their disappointment. But they shot again, this time targeting the Erenchun soccer field where some of the Ateneans were camped. Nebres pointed his wand at the arrows raining from the sky and shouted his incantation, "Cura personalis" and the thousand arrows turned into bubbles.
The Ateneans cheered. The first two attacks of the LaSallians and the Tomasians have been thwarted.
"You have had your fun, Ateneans." a voice boomed. "Now it is time to get serious."
Darkness suddenly enveloped the University. The enemy had sabotaged their electricity. Immediately all the Ateneans took out and flickered their wands, "Lux in Domino" they chanted. Light emanated from all the wands.
The illumination came just in time as suddenly a stampede crushed the fences between Gate 2 and Gate 2.5. The Ateneans have realized the magnitude of their danger: it was not just the LaSallians or even just the Tomasians they were confronting; the other schools were there as well. A thousand Green Archers were riding the backs of the giant tigers of UST. Charging with them were the giant tamaraws and a hundred warriors whose bodies were painted red war paint. Above, falcons were soaring in the sky.
"YOU FOUL THINGS, noh?" somebody from the Ateneo crowd shouted, charging at the stampede; it was Tessa Rosana. "How dare you attack us, noh? You don't know who you are dealing with, noh? TAKE THIS, noh?" She hit her gong with all her might. A powerful sound wave spread throughout the area knocking a hundred Archers and animals out.
"HA! noh?" she triumphantly yelled.
And so the other Ateneans started counterattacking as well. David Lozada and his 300 Spartans. The ROTC cadets. The mythical creatures of the School of Humanities. Dalandan's Army.
Ricky Abad and the Department of Sociology soon deployed their Ideology Bombs prompting some of the LaSallians to cheer instead of fighting. "Strawberry shortcake nananananana. " "Recticano! Recticano", allowing some of the Ateneans to easily knock the LaSallians out.
Somewhere near the Covered Courts, Norman Black was briefing his team, "Nonoy. I want you here. Chris, here. Jai, there. Alright? Any questions?"
"Aaaaah! GOD DAMN IT!" a raspy voice screamed. It was Joe Lipa, former coach of the Blue Eagles, who arrived with the contingent from UP. "Just charge! Attack them! Now!" And so they did.
The LaSalle brothers and Francisco of UST were outside, watching the battle, waiting for their turn to strike.
A handful of LaSallians were found trotting back to their base.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?" Francisco yelled.
"You told us to retreat!" the Archer said.
"You idiot! That's just Escaler and Bulatao toying with your minds! Go back! That's it! I am joining the battle!"
She then stepped forward lifted her two arms and shouted "Tiger Power! Raar! Tiger Power! Raar!" The LaSalle brothers thought she had lost her mind. But then she suddenly transformed into a giant tigress, twice larger and fiercer than the ordinary tigers. Seeing their comrade ready and willing to fight, the LaSallians cheered.
"HOY!" Goldie the Tiger roared. "NO CHEERING DURING BATTLE! NO CHEERING!" Then she advanced.
Her first target was Fr. Dacanay who was busy exorcising some of the Archers and paralyzing them.
"FATHER! Behind you!"
Quickly, Dacanay whirled and performed his own counterattack "Expellus Inferius" blasting her into the middle of the Erenchun field, knocking her out.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" The La Salle brothers shouted upon seeing their comrade down. "It is time we even the score."
The earth began to quake. And out of the night came a gigantic robot. It was DLRT; the LaSallians had transformed and brought the LRT-1 which passed Taft Avenue into a robot.
DLRT was making quick work of the Ateneans and their creatures, crushing the mythical creatures here and there, tossing the trees brought to life by the Department of Environmental Science.
"Let us not lose hope!" Nebres said. "We are after all committed to hope."
"Now is not the time to talk about GK, Father!" somebody said.
"I am not talking about GK. I am talking about SECtor."
He pointed his wand the Science Education Complex. The building shook and assembled itself into a robot. SEC A was the head and the torso. SEC B became the left arm and leg and SEC C became the right.
"Mang Freddie!" Nebres called.
"I am ready, Father!" shouted Freddie, the man in charge of Escaler Hall which has now become the control room SECtor.
"Attack, Freddie! One Big Fight."
DLRT was no match and quickly collapsed under the strength of SECtor.
"Fr Nebres!" Harry Potter appeared. "Two horcruxes have been destroyed and..."
"Animo La Salle!" "Animo La Salle!" "Animo La Salle!"
There were screams of terror. The LaSalle brothers had entered the battle. They were using their most dangerous spell: The Animo LaSalle -- the Killing Curse!
Finale: The Animo Wand
Ateneans were dropping dead left and right. The Animo La Salle curse was unblockable. Some of the more veteran teachers provided extra defense and protection to the students but most of their efforts were futile. Dacanay and his Jesuit team however managed to stun a few Archers.
Victory however seemed far-fetched. Francisco had been revived from the Stunning Spell. Back in human form, she was battling Jai Reyes, Kirk Long and Chris Tiu at the same time. While the players were certainly skillful, Francisco was able to block all spells launched by the Blue Eagles.
Francisco pointed her wand at Chris Tiu and shouted "Animo La Salle!" But the curse missed him by an inch.
"Not Chris Tiu, you BIATCH!" somebody shouted; it was Achoot Cuyegkeng. "Out of my way! Out of my way! SHE's MINE!"
Francisco laughed. "You are no match for me! I am the greatest servant of the Dominicans! What's gonna happen to your Loyola Schools after I kill you?! What's gonna happen to your Blue Eagles after I kill Chrissy?"
"You will never touch any of our students again!!" Cuyegkeng said.
Francisco laughed. And with her unerring skill as jack-of-all-trades Professor Cuygekeng sent a Stunning Curse at her opponent. The curse hit her squarely on the chest, knocking her out once more.
"Enough!" Harry shouted. "Voldemort! Where are you? You have been using the LaSallians and the other schools to come after me. Where are you?"
"I am here, Potter," a voice hissed. The voice came from Bro. Armin.
"Brother Armin?"
"No! I am Voldemort! Armind is my past, present and future. See?" he wrote the word Armind then with a flicker of his wand the word became Voldemort.
"I don't get it." Harry said
"Ako rin!" an Atenean said.
"Ha? Can you make ulit?" another one shouted.
"How did Armind become Voldemort?"
"Bai, nalibog na ko!" A Cebuano Atenean shouted.
"Bah! Never mind! Anyone knows the LaSallians can't spell. So anyway, I stunned Armind a few days ago and using his name and face I used the school and all the other schools to come and find you!"
"But you are too late. I destroyed all the horcruxes!"
"No, Potter. I win. You see, while I was Bro. Armind. I was able to find the long lost and most powerful wand in the entire world -- the Animo Wand! And you will be its first victim!"
"Are you kidding me, Tom?" Harry said. "Don't you get it? The wand chooses the school. The Animo wand does not belong to La Salle! It belongs to the Ateneo."
"No! You are the fool! The LaSallians have been cheering Animo La Salle for such a long time. The LaSallians truly own the wand and since I am a LaSallian for now, I own it. Die Potter die!"
"But you see, Riddle, you did not review University histories. If you did, you would know that the Ateneans used AnimoAteneo first. And they still use it now. There is even a website right now named AnimoAteneo.com. The Ateneans have reclaimed Animo Ateneo!"
Silence.
"So. It comes down to this, doesn't it?" Harry whispered. "Does your wand know that its original owner still values it? If it does, I AM THE TRUE MASTER OF THE ANIMO WAND!"
Voldemort points his wand at Harry who in turn has prepared for the final duel.
"ANIMO LA SALLE!" Voldemort shouted.
"OH! GET. THAT.WAND!" Harry shouted.
The curse rebounded and hit Voldemort instead of Harry who caught the Animo Wand with his other hand. Cheers from the Ateneans and even some La Sallians, who realized that they were duped were all around.
That morning both Ateneo and La Salle forged a cease fire -- temporary because the next day was the Ateneo-La Salle basketball championship. Francisco, who was revived after hours of being stunned by Dacanay and Cuyegkeng, decided to lift the "No Cheering!" rule during time out. However, she still flinches whenever Dacanay (or any Jesuit for that matter) would approach her.
There were however, a group of La Sallians who disagreed with having a cease fire. They believed that the death and defeat of Voldemort was unfair so they decided to file a protest. This was later junked due to lack of merit.
Epilogue. Nineteen Years Later.
It was the day of the ACET. Harry Potter was accompanying his son Ben.
"Dad! What if I fail the ACET and end up in DLSU?"
Harry looked at his son and said "Bienvenido Adolfo! You were named after two of the most powerful Jesuits in the country. One of them is a good friend of ours. In fact he was the one who officiated our marriage."
"But... but... so what if I DO fail the ACET and end up in DLSU?"
Eh di bobo ka talaga! Harry thought. But he didn't say that. "But we will still love you as our son!" Harry said. "Alright. Your test starts in a few minutes. Make us proud. One Big Fight."
Saturday, September 08, 2007
kita-kits sa gateway : )
matagal ko nang kinukulit ang thesis mate kong si badz, bago pa ang aug.28 niyang birthday: kailan ka manlilibre? siyempre, ang kapal ko! to think na hindi ako nanlibre nung may. hehe! ; ) well, kumagat siya. september raw. nung tuesday, actually. eto nga lang ang masaya: sa gateway raw. GATEWAY?! sa tingin niya, yun daw kasi ang gitna naming tatlo nina candy. teka, paano naging gitna ng malabon, manila at cavite ang cubao? oh, well. libre naman. : )
so straight from my roxas boulevard office, i took a jeep, LRT & MRT to get to gateway. when i got there already, grabe, memories. hindi naman ako malimit doon nung college kasi third or fourth year na ako nung natapos yun pero familiar pa rin. tanda ko kasi na palatandaan na turo sa akin ni guiller yung mga watson's. wala lang.
sa food court kami, para maraming choices. nauna na si candy, kaya hinanap ko siya. but before i saw her, look who i saw:
si de-anne, friend from gabay & the SOA EB!
siyempre, tuloy ang paghahanap kay candy. nagulat ako nung nakita ko siya kasi:
nagpakulay siya ng buhok! in fairness, bagay sa kanya kasi maputi naman siya. dahil forever na late si badz, chika muna kami. wala na pala siya sa st. bridget - sa ateneo na siya, formator sa office of social concern & involvement. right now, she's organizing the outreach program to the introduction to ateneo culture class. mentor din siya sa eliazo hall (the dorm for females). cool! pag nag-aral na siya ulit next ng counseling next sem, hindi na siya mahihirapan pumasok. hehe. naikwento ko naman na wala na ako sa HR. there were also the usual love life-related questions. wala naman akong bagong maikwento. hehe! ayun.
past 8 na ata dumating yung manlilibre, grabe! nagtago kami ni candy para hindi niya kami makita agad. hehe! tawa kami nang tawa kasi kitang-kita namin si badz, pero hindi niya kami makita. hehe, para kaming bata. : D
well, nakita rin niya kami kasi naka-pink si candy. buo na uli ang HAS (hernandez, abad, sarmiento - the name of our thesis group)! at kainan na!
habang kumakain, kwentuhan to the max. badz told us about his work. siyempre, inevitable na balikan naming tatlo yung college days namin. after all, lagi kaming magkasama sa group work. binalikan namin yung father dacanay/theology 131 days namin - mga panahong sobrang tense kami pag malapit na ang 9 ng gabi, kasi deadline yun ng pagpasa ng group reflection paper. grabeng stress yun, to think na 5% lang yun ng final grade. nakakaloka pa kasi inuna pa namin yung reflection paper kaysa report namin sa cognitive psych, to think na 20% yun ng grade. grabe.
badz & i even reminisced on our eddie boy calasanz/philo 103 days. candy took another teacher, kaya kinuwentuhan na lang namin siya. kung terror si dacanay, mas terror si calasanz. grabe, to the nth level. but on second thought, terror ba si calasanz mismo, o yung mga grades lang na binibigay niya? hehe! kasi naman, highest grade sa ateneo ang 4, passing ay 1. alam mo ba kung ano ang nakuha ko sa first long test namin kay calasanz? 0.5! o di ba, half lang ng passing grade. but it's not too bad when you consider that other people got 0.1 or 0.2 or plain zero. to think na open book ang exam, pwede kang mag-discuss with classmates, umuwi sa bahay, gumamit ng computer at kung ano-ano pa, basta maipasa mo yung essay mo by 12 midnight. amazing.
at some point, i asked for dessert. ayaw na manlibre ni badz, kaya ako na lang para hindi na ako manlibre next time. hehe! i got three servings of halo-halo from razon's (grabe ang patong. 68 sa gateway, to think na aroung 40-50 lang sa guagua. hehe.).
ayun, kuwentuhan pa ulit nang todo. november last year pa kasi kaming huling nagkita. past 10 na nung umalis kami. kung hindi lang malayo ang bundok ko, hindi ako magyayayang umalis.
past 12 na ako nakarating sa bahay. nakakatawa kasi hindi pala nila alam na wala pa ako. wehehe.
nakakapagod, grabe. it took tremendous effort to keep my eyes open during the whole trip. but it was worth it. sa uulitin, friends. : )
so straight from my roxas boulevard office, i took a jeep, LRT & MRT to get to gateway. when i got there already, grabe, memories. hindi naman ako malimit doon nung college kasi third or fourth year na ako nung natapos yun pero familiar pa rin. tanda ko kasi na palatandaan na turo sa akin ni guiller yung mga watson's. wala lang.
sa food court kami, para maraming choices. nauna na si candy, kaya hinanap ko siya. but before i saw her, look who i saw:
si de-anne, friend from gabay & the SOA EB!
siyempre, tuloy ang paghahanap kay candy. nagulat ako nung nakita ko siya kasi:
nagpakulay siya ng buhok! in fairness, bagay sa kanya kasi maputi naman siya. dahil forever na late si badz, chika muna kami. wala na pala siya sa st. bridget - sa ateneo na siya, formator sa office of social concern & involvement. right now, she's organizing the outreach program to the introduction to ateneo culture class. mentor din siya sa eliazo hall (the dorm for females). cool! pag nag-aral na siya ulit next ng counseling next sem, hindi na siya mahihirapan pumasok. hehe. naikwento ko naman na wala na ako sa HR. there were also the usual love life-related questions. wala naman akong bagong maikwento. hehe! ayun.
past 8 na ata dumating yung manlilibre, grabe! nagtago kami ni candy para hindi niya kami makita agad. hehe! tawa kami nang tawa kasi kitang-kita namin si badz, pero hindi niya kami makita. hehe, para kaming bata. : D
well, nakita rin niya kami kasi naka-pink si candy. buo na uli ang HAS (hernandez, abad, sarmiento - the name of our thesis group)! at kainan na!
food from jumbo japs.
crunchy tuna maki. even after this variation on the ever-popular maki, i don't think i'm ever going to like maki/sushi.
habang kumakain, kwentuhan to the max. badz told us about his work. siyempre, inevitable na balikan naming tatlo yung college days namin. after all, lagi kaming magkasama sa group work. binalikan namin yung father dacanay/theology 131 days namin - mga panahong sobrang tense kami pag malapit na ang 9 ng gabi, kasi deadline yun ng pagpasa ng group reflection paper. grabeng stress yun, to think na 5% lang yun ng final grade. nakakaloka pa kasi inuna pa namin yung reflection paper kaysa report namin sa cognitive psych, to think na 20% yun ng grade. grabe.
badz & i even reminisced on our eddie boy calasanz/philo 103 days. candy took another teacher, kaya kinuwentuhan na lang namin siya. kung terror si dacanay, mas terror si calasanz. grabe, to the nth level. but on second thought, terror ba si calasanz mismo, o yung mga grades lang na binibigay niya? hehe! kasi naman, highest grade sa ateneo ang 4, passing ay 1. alam mo ba kung ano ang nakuha ko sa first long test namin kay calasanz? 0.5! o di ba, half lang ng passing grade. but it's not too bad when you consider that other people got 0.1 or 0.2 or plain zero. to think na open book ang exam, pwede kang mag-discuss with classmates, umuwi sa bahay, gumamit ng computer at kung ano-ano pa, basta maipasa mo yung essay mo by 12 midnight. amazing.
at some point, i asked for dessert. ayaw na manlibre ni badz, kaya ako na lang para hindi na ako manlibre next time. hehe! i got three servings of halo-halo from razon's (grabe ang patong. 68 sa gateway, to think na aroung 40-50 lang sa guagua. hehe.).
ayun, kuwentuhan pa ulit nang todo. november last year pa kasi kaming huling nagkita. past 10 na nung umalis kami. kung hindi lang malayo ang bundok ko, hindi ako magyayayang umalis.
past 12 na ako nakarating sa bahay. nakakatawa kasi hindi pala nila alam na wala pa ako. wehehe.
nakakapagod, grabe. it took tremendous effort to keep my eyes open during the whole trip. but it was worth it. sa uulitin, friends. : )
Monday, June 11, 2007
friendster pics
isang gabi na wala akong magawa at hindi ako makatulog, tiningnan ko yung friendster accounts ng madlang people. ang saya! eto ang mga pics na nanakaw ko. hehe!
from aiza mae: a pic with the dwarfs, my high school barkada. bago pa ata ito magpasko.
from crystal: management trainees, on the day of our final revalida. january 31, 2006 ata. ang formal naming lahat!
from de-anne: pic with soa during the 2004 formsem at the house of ginger's relatives. marami sa amin, hindi pa naliligo. isa na ako dun.
from de-anne again: soa eb with sir redg plopinio, after the soa launch. up to now, i still find this pic cool. asa floor lang ang camera nito. : )
from gel: pics with the musheez, first year and second year ata.
from guiller: i don't even remember them taking a pic! gabay christmas party 2005 ito. i just dropped by with gel.
from john: embryo christmas party 2003, in a venetto along alabang-zapote road. typical embryo shot, sobrang gulo! : )
from kamille: a pic during her surprise birthday party last year, which bobby and je-anne organized. we were in batang's. maaga pa ito, kaya konti pa lang kami. later, more people came, which meant more drunks. hehe! actually, tinamaan din ako nito but i drank a lot of water so it passed. i was awake all throughout, til 1 or 2, i think. : )
from kacey, nel and ma'am maggie: HR in subic, camayan resort specifically. this was just last february, during our outing.
ang saya! pag wala ulit akong magawa, gagawin ko ulit ito. hopefully, there are new pics for me to grab. haha! : )
from aiza mae: a pic with the dwarfs, my high school barkada. bago pa ata ito magpasko.
from crystal: management trainees, on the day of our final revalida. january 31, 2006 ata. ang formal naming lahat!
from de-anne: pic with soa during the 2004 formsem at the house of ginger's relatives. marami sa amin, hindi pa naliligo. isa na ako dun.
from de-anne again: soa eb with sir redg plopinio, after the soa launch. up to now, i still find this pic cool. asa floor lang ang camera nito. : )
from gel: pics with the musheez, first year and second year ata.
from guiller: i don't even remember them taking a pic! gabay christmas party 2005 ito. i just dropped by with gel.
from john: embryo christmas party 2003, in a venetto along alabang-zapote road. typical embryo shot, sobrang gulo! : )
from kamille: a pic during her surprise birthday party last year, which bobby and je-anne organized. we were in batang's. maaga pa ito, kaya konti pa lang kami. later, more people came, which meant more drunks. hehe! actually, tinamaan din ako nito but i drank a lot of water so it passed. i was awake all throughout, til 1 or 2, i think. : )
from kacey, nel and ma'am maggie: HR in subic, camayan resort specifically. this was just last february, during our outing.
ang saya! pag wala ulit akong magawa, gagawin ko ulit ito. hopefully, there are new pics for me to grab. haha! : )
Saturday, November 25, 2006
two ateneo trysts in one week
despite the fact that i reside in the far flung hills of cavite, i found myself in ateneo twice this week. the first time was on thursday, the second time was today.
last thursday, i went on undertime. ako, nag-undertime?! hehe! it was actually supposed to be a half-day vacation leave, but things kept coming up, so i was able to log out only after three. i was going to meet candy & badz (my thesismates) in mcdo katipunan, a date that was organized by badz a week ago as a result of my incessant prodding (when i was still under the delusion that i will have my five-day mandatory vacation leave from nov. 20 to 24). paano ba naman, graduation pa kami huling nagkita-kita! it was definitely high time for a reunion.
but instead of walking to mcdo, i took a trike to ateneo. nabasa ko kasing may AMA mall na. pero as usual, traffic sa loob ng campus.
but before i could even find out where the AMA mall was, i saw the eagles of hope bazaar in front of cervini & eliazo.
there were so many cute stuff!
while checking out the merchandise, i called both candy & badz. after a couple of tries, i finally reached badz. as it turns out, both he & candy were already in mcdo. i told them that i wanted to shop for a while.
maybe 20 minutes later, i called badz again. sinabi kong hindi pa ako tapos mamili. buti na lang, siya na ang nag-volunteer ng option na sila na ni candy ang pupunta sa school.
obvious bang excited ako? i was walking towards them, & my arm was moving. nagmukha tuloy apparition sina candy at badz. hehe. shopping resumed.
i ended up buying two beaded ID laces, two beaded bookmarks, a pack of big paper clips, & a cloth doll. we were hungry, so we decided to eat in....(drumroll please).....the caf! grabe, graduate na kami at lahat, caf pa rin! at least, iba na ang color scheme. yellow na ang walls, unlike dati na plain white. at least, warm na ang ambiance ngayon.
pero in fairness, marami na akong miss na food sa caf. chicken strips, pasta with pesto, chicken wrap, meat sauce spaghetti, & green mint tea, to name a few. i settled on a tuna casserole from healthy kitchen & a glass of tang from beef teriyaki.
needless to say, even while eating, it didn't take much to get us to talk. mahigit 1 year ba naman kaming hindi magkita! nabulunan si candy sa isa sa mga balita ko.
si badz naman, dati pang alam, so wala lang.
after finishing my tuna casserole (na 50 pesos na ngayon, 40 lang ata dati), i decided to get a chicken wrap. nakakainggit kasi yung kinakain ni candy, e. unfortunately, ubos na. i ended up buying a tortilla wrap, which i asked badz to finish.
after eating, we went back to the bazaar to get the ID laces that i had ordered (it took a while because i asked for one to be customized). then, we walked to gate 3. on the way, guess who saw me? our former SOA president, ginger!
nakakatawa kasi nagmamaneho siya palabas ng parking ng xavier nung nakita niya ako. ako naman, talagang kumuha pa ng picture! imagine us in a flurry of hi's & goodbye's, right in the middle of a driveway. of course, ginj had to leave immediately. nagpromise ako na magkikita kami ulit. shocks, kailangan ko nang mag-organize ng lakad ng EB! good luck na lang sa akin.
tuloy ang paglalakad. at some point, badz gave this back to me:
si candy naman, binigay yung Christmas gifts niya sa amin last year. mine turned out to be a bottle of lacoste perfume - touch of pink. ayan, shining shimmering splendid pa.
while walking, nagbibiro si badz na kung hindi pa gawa yung overpass (sabi ko kasi, gawa na) sa tapat ng gate 3, bubuhatin ko raw sila ni candy papuntang katipunan. buti na lang, gawa na. wala pa yun nung nag-aaral pa kami! i tried to take pictures of it, but it was too dark to be visible in a picture.
we opted to go to cello's for dessert.
chika na naman, siyempre. ayan, nakikinig talaga ako kay badz.
at some point, i requested candy to take a pic of me when i'm not looking. para naman may kuha man lang ako, no!
well, masaya akong nakausap ko ulit sila. lalo akong masaya para kay candy. she's quite happy & contented now. also, she has healed already. ayun, naulanan tuloy ako ng mga payo. hehe! may matching reading list pa:
1. i kissed dating goodbye by joshua harris - done! 1st year pa.
2. boy meets girl by joshua harris - same as above.
3. when God writes your love story by eric lesley
4. passion & purity by elisabeth elliot
5. cure for the common life by max lucado
sige na po, counselor candy, susundin ko ang payo mo. :)
we had to leave at 8:30 to make it to the LRT stations in time. pagdating naman doon, nakababagot mag-antay. 7 minutes pa, e. bawal daw kumuha ng picture sa loob ng station, but who cares? wala namang nagbabantay. hehe...
later naman, sa loob ng LRT, picture ulit. wow badz, ang ganda ng kuha mo! kitang-kita tayong lahat, lalo ka na. harhar.
candy went ahead of us. badz & i were left, as we were both getting off at the recto station. buti na lang, sinamahan ako ni badz papunta sa kabilang LRT. after all, it's been a long time since sumakay ako dun. i mentioned to badz na college graduation pa ni bene yun.
naaliw ako kasi naaalala pa ni badz yung araw na yun. sobrang insistent ko raw na huwag muna kami mag-thesis meeting. sabi ko raw, any day but that day. tapos, nakabihis daw ako that day. rather, iba raw ang bihis ko. siyempre - gray skirt, yellow knitted blouse, stockings, black shoes with heels. grabe, parang ang tagal na nung araw na yun. bittersweet memories.
anyway, we went our separate ways. i found myself at the end of the last LRT car. even though my arm was still, sobrang shaky naman nung ride. as in bounce galore.
ayun, i got down at the buendia station & went home. nakakapagod, pero ang saya. nakakamiss talaga sila. ang sarap ng feeling kasi ang tagal naming magkasama nung college. yung tipong kilala na namin ang isa't isa, kaya hindi kami hirap magtrabaho nang magkakasama. tsaka ang daling mag-share.
ngayon naman, i went to a seminar with ate ava & mark. guess who i met in aurora boulevard? ivan reyes!
shocks, 2 years na kaming hindi nagkikita. nakakatawa kasi pareho kaming tumatawid to the opposite sides nung nagkita kami. ayun, nagchikahan muna kami sa island sa gitna ng aurora. i wanted to take him with me, but he had a date with kristine, his girlfriend. sayang. at least, we saw each other again.
ayun, i went to ateneo already. after the seminar, mark, liza, elmer & i walked to the direction of gate 3. nakailaw na yung lights sa bel field! sayang, wala nang batt yung digicam na hiniram ko kay sarah. anyway, here's how it looked like last year (or was this two years ago?), in a pic taken by badz:
ang ganda, promise. though parang konti lang yung lights this year...siguro, sa december pa nila sisindihan lahat. i'll be back for the simbang gabi then. : )
the 3 of them went ahead. ako naman, i passed by the eagles of hope bazaar again, as pinky wanted me to buy her a doll, too. i also bought two ID laces, one each for ma'am jo & ma'am ting (nagandahan kasi sila sa ID lace ko, hehe).
i had to wait for the doll i wanted to be delivered at 8 o'clock. it was only seven, so i decided to watch the ongoing ateneo idol competition. jay-r, ekai & kuya rolls, fellow gabayanos, were also there. so was boy abunda! he was a judge in the competition. atenista rin siya, e. some even say na gabayano rin. panalo yung ibang comments niya:
"in your youth, you're not just bold, you're hot."
"mas magaling kang kumanta kay pacquiao."
haha! anyway, i left as soon as the competition was over. jay-r, ekai & i walked to gate 3. they invited me to the Christmas party. tapos sabi ni ekai, parang hindi raw ako tumatanda. sabi ko, tumataba naman. jay-r agreed, saying na mukhang hiyang ako sa work kasi nga tumataba ako. sabi ko, stress eater kasi ako, e. oh, well.
naghiwalay na kami sa aurora. i went to cubao, they went to marikina.
the day ended very well for me. i was tired, but i felt very peaceful inside. basta, ang sarap ng feeling. thank you for such a great day, Lord.
last thursday, i went on undertime. ako, nag-undertime?! hehe! it was actually supposed to be a half-day vacation leave, but things kept coming up, so i was able to log out only after three. i was going to meet candy & badz (my thesismates) in mcdo katipunan, a date that was organized by badz a week ago as a result of my incessant prodding (when i was still under the delusion that i will have my five-day mandatory vacation leave from nov. 20 to 24). paano ba naman, graduation pa kami huling nagkita-kita! it was definitely high time for a reunion.
but instead of walking to mcdo, i took a trike to ateneo. nabasa ko kasing may AMA mall na. pero as usual, traffic sa loob ng campus.
but before i could even find out where the AMA mall was, i saw the eagles of hope bazaar in front of cervini & eliazo.
there were so many cute stuff!
while checking out the merchandise, i called both candy & badz. after a couple of tries, i finally reached badz. as it turns out, both he & candy were already in mcdo. i told them that i wanted to shop for a while.
maybe 20 minutes later, i called badz again. sinabi kong hindi pa ako tapos mamili. buti na lang, siya na ang nag-volunteer ng option na sila na ni candy ang pupunta sa school.
obvious bang excited ako? i was walking towards them, & my arm was moving. nagmukha tuloy apparition sina candy at badz. hehe. shopping resumed.
i ended up buying two beaded ID laces, two beaded bookmarks, a pack of big paper clips, & a cloth doll. we were hungry, so we decided to eat in....(drumroll please).....the caf! grabe, graduate na kami at lahat, caf pa rin! at least, iba na ang color scheme. yellow na ang walls, unlike dati na plain white. at least, warm na ang ambiance ngayon.
pero in fairness, marami na akong miss na food sa caf. chicken strips, pasta with pesto, chicken wrap, meat sauce spaghetti, & green mint tea, to name a few. i settled on a tuna casserole from healthy kitchen & a glass of tang from beef teriyaki.
needless to say, even while eating, it didn't take much to get us to talk. mahigit 1 year ba naman kaming hindi magkita! nabulunan si candy sa isa sa mga balita ko.
si badz naman, dati pang alam, so wala lang.
after finishing my tuna casserole (na 50 pesos na ngayon, 40 lang ata dati), i decided to get a chicken wrap. nakakainggit kasi yung kinakain ni candy, e. unfortunately, ubos na. i ended up buying a tortilla wrap, which i asked badz to finish.
after eating, we went back to the bazaar to get the ID laces that i had ordered (it took a while because i asked for one to be customized). then, we walked to gate 3. on the way, guess who saw me? our former SOA president, ginger!
nakakatawa kasi nagmamaneho siya palabas ng parking ng xavier nung nakita niya ako. ako naman, talagang kumuha pa ng picture! imagine us in a flurry of hi's & goodbye's, right in the middle of a driveway. of course, ginj had to leave immediately. nagpromise ako na magkikita kami ulit. shocks, kailangan ko nang mag-organize ng lakad ng EB! good luck na lang sa akin.
tuloy ang paglalakad. at some point, badz gave this back to me:
si candy naman, binigay yung Christmas gifts niya sa amin last year. mine turned out to be a bottle of lacoste perfume - touch of pink. ayan, shining shimmering splendid pa.
while walking, nagbibiro si badz na kung hindi pa gawa yung overpass (sabi ko kasi, gawa na) sa tapat ng gate 3, bubuhatin ko raw sila ni candy papuntang katipunan. buti na lang, gawa na. wala pa yun nung nag-aaral pa kami! i tried to take pictures of it, but it was too dark to be visible in a picture.
we opted to go to cello's for dessert.
chika na naman, siyempre. ayan, nakikinig talaga ako kay badz.
at some point, i requested candy to take a pic of me when i'm not looking. para naman may kuha man lang ako, no!
well, masaya akong nakausap ko ulit sila. lalo akong masaya para kay candy. she's quite happy & contented now. also, she has healed already. ayun, naulanan tuloy ako ng mga payo. hehe! may matching reading list pa:
1. i kissed dating goodbye by joshua harris - done! 1st year pa.
2. boy meets girl by joshua harris - same as above.
3. when God writes your love story by eric lesley
4. passion & purity by elisabeth elliot
5. cure for the common life by max lucado
sige na po, counselor candy, susundin ko ang payo mo. :)
we had to leave at 8:30 to make it to the LRT stations in time. pagdating naman doon, nakababagot mag-antay. 7 minutes pa, e. bawal daw kumuha ng picture sa loob ng station, but who cares? wala namang nagbabantay. hehe...
later naman, sa loob ng LRT, picture ulit. wow badz, ang ganda ng kuha mo! kitang-kita tayong lahat, lalo ka na. harhar.
candy went ahead of us. badz & i were left, as we were both getting off at the recto station. buti na lang, sinamahan ako ni badz papunta sa kabilang LRT. after all, it's been a long time since sumakay ako dun. i mentioned to badz na college graduation pa ni bene yun.
naaliw ako kasi naaalala pa ni badz yung araw na yun. sobrang insistent ko raw na huwag muna kami mag-thesis meeting. sabi ko raw, any day but that day. tapos, nakabihis daw ako that day. rather, iba raw ang bihis ko. siyempre - gray skirt, yellow knitted blouse, stockings, black shoes with heels. grabe, parang ang tagal na nung araw na yun. bittersweet memories.
anyway, we went our separate ways. i found myself at the end of the last LRT car. even though my arm was still, sobrang shaky naman nung ride. as in bounce galore.
ayun, i got down at the buendia station & went home. nakakapagod, pero ang saya. nakakamiss talaga sila. ang sarap ng feeling kasi ang tagal naming magkasama nung college. yung tipong kilala na namin ang isa't isa, kaya hindi kami hirap magtrabaho nang magkakasama. tsaka ang daling mag-share.
ngayon naman, i went to a seminar with ate ava & mark. guess who i met in aurora boulevard? ivan reyes!
shocks, 2 years na kaming hindi nagkikita. nakakatawa kasi pareho kaming tumatawid to the opposite sides nung nagkita kami. ayun, nagchikahan muna kami sa island sa gitna ng aurora. i wanted to take him with me, but he had a date with kristine, his girlfriend. sayang. at least, we saw each other again.
ayun, i went to ateneo already. after the seminar, mark, liza, elmer & i walked to the direction of gate 3. nakailaw na yung lights sa bel field! sayang, wala nang batt yung digicam na hiniram ko kay sarah. anyway, here's how it looked like last year (or was this two years ago?), in a pic taken by badz:
ang ganda, promise. though parang konti lang yung lights this year...siguro, sa december pa nila sisindihan lahat. i'll be back for the simbang gabi then. : )
the 3 of them went ahead. ako naman, i passed by the eagles of hope bazaar again, as pinky wanted me to buy her a doll, too. i also bought two ID laces, one each for ma'am jo & ma'am ting (nagandahan kasi sila sa ID lace ko, hehe).
i had to wait for the doll i wanted to be delivered at 8 o'clock. it was only seven, so i decided to watch the ongoing ateneo idol competition. jay-r, ekai & kuya rolls, fellow gabayanos, were also there. so was boy abunda! he was a judge in the competition. atenista rin siya, e. some even say na gabayano rin. panalo yung ibang comments niya:
"in your youth, you're not just bold, you're hot."
"mas magaling kang kumanta kay pacquiao."
haha! anyway, i left as soon as the competition was over. jay-r, ekai & i walked to gate 3. they invited me to the Christmas party. tapos sabi ni ekai, parang hindi raw ako tumatanda. sabi ko, tumataba naman. jay-r agreed, saying na mukhang hiyang ako sa work kasi nga tumataba ako. sabi ko, stress eater kasi ako, e. oh, well.
naghiwalay na kami sa aurora. i went to cubao, they went to marikina.
the day ended very well for me. i was tired, but i felt very peaceful inside. basta, ang sarap ng feeling. thank you for such a great day, Lord.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
the unexpected deciding shot
thanks to youtube, the most precious second in last sunday's ateneo vs. ust game was immortalized many times over:
who ever thought that one second was enough?
Friday, April 14, 2006
ateneo survey
got this from chi's other blog. seems like something out of a teen magazine. you know, those with introductions like, "how much of an atenean are you? take this quiz to find out!" as if that could be measured by a survey. hehe... :)
this is a nice way to reminisce anyway. here goes...
(x) ate at Manang's - of course. the first few times were when i was still a high school junior, and a participant of the ateneo junior summer seminar (AJSS).
(x) learned the alma mater - i don't know how, but i did.
(x) got on the dean's list - yup! except on my first sem. was short of 0.1. talk about frustrating!
( ) slept on a bench
( ) been a TNT!
( ) jogged around the campus in the evening
(x) visited the art gallery - once or twice. even got brochures.
(x) knew at least one xerox lady, manong, or technician by name - ate alma of colayco, ate jenny of RSF
(x) got a Jesuit for a teacher - fr. adolfo dacanay, SJ (th131)
(x) itched from higad bites - yes, once during third year. half my face turned horribly red and patchy. i took a certain medicine that made me sleep for three straight hours in the library.
(x) have gotten an F in something - yes. in one of my botany long tests, in a couple of th131 quizzes, and in my first long test with calasanz
(x) have taken a crap in school - yup! haha!
(x) watched a La Salle vs. Ateneo UAAP game - does watching on the idiot box count?
(x) gave a powerpoint presentation - who didn't???
(x) studied in the Caf Upstairs - yup, and ended up smelling like sisig whenever i wasn't lucky enough to get a seat near a window.
(x) watched a TA play - La Vida Es Sueño. it was required for fil11.
( ) sat on the SEC ledge and watched the stars
(x) eat in Full House, Martha's Kitchen, and Ken Afford - only in Ken Afford, though.
(x) slept in the lib - of course! the ambiance was too conducive for mind and body relaxation. hehe...
( ) visited Mr. San Andres
(x) went to the chapel - to pray, hear mass and sing in a choir
(x) have gotten a pebble stuck in your shoe/slippers in the middle of the quad - even pieces of gravel
( ) cut class with your block to watch a movie - our block wasn't close enough for this
(x) signed up for those institutional (i.e. difficult but brilliant) teachers: Ferriols, Dacanay, David, Manacsa, Ang, Escaler, Arcilla, Totanes, and many others - made it a point whenever they were among the options. was able to get dacanay and calasanz, both of whom gave me F's in some of the requirements.
( ) went to CERSA night
( ) have tried siomai rice
( ) learned how to smoke - i don't like the smell of smoke.
(x) fell in love - still in love.
(x) actually read the book you keep borrowing from the lib - there were only 2 or 3 books that i kept borrowing, for legitimate academic purposes.
(x) played cards during your free time - learned bluff, bridge and pusoy dos during first year.
(x) dressed in business attire - during orals (when the teacher said so) and defenses.
( ) learned to stay awake for more than 24 hours straight - no! not without the aid of extra joss.
( ) have gotten side comments from ASSOC - thank heavens, no.
( ) took (and enjoyed) Saturday classes
(x) went to your immersion - went to an aeta community in maporak, zambales.
(x) ate Food for Thought sandwiches - just once. and i never understood why two slices of bread, a lettuce leaf, a morsel of meat and a tomato slice costs 40 bucks.
(x) got a boyfriend/girlfriend - from the other school, yes. :)
(x) took time to read the vandalism in the CR doors - one went, "tell (cellphone number appears here) that he has succeeded in breaking the strongest girl there is." or something very similar to that.
( ) watched "Minsan Lang Sila Bata" and "Macho Dancer" for class
(x) did a last-minute paper - most of my papers were last-minute. our thesis was last-minute. hence, passing papers on time involved a lot of running on my and my groupmates' part. hehe...
(x) have spent a lot for 1x1 ID pictures (for index cards and teachers' seat plans) - and resumes.
(x) got exempted from final exams - physics, hi166 and eco102
(x) attended a college mass - i almost always did. hearing mass in the quad held a certain charm for me.
( ) promised to quit smoking
( ) played hide-and-seek in the mini-forest
(x) knew where the best restrooms are on campus
(x) joined an org - Gabay and Ateneo Peer Counselors Group
(x) allowed yourself to make mistakes - but never quite got over some of them
(x) took summer classes - only practicum class
( ) admired the sacred heart statue in the evening - never really thought about admiring it. was more focused on trying to see how it could turn into a statue of the Virgin Mary, as many attest that it can, due to a play of light and shadows.
(x) made a video for a project
( ) had a crush on a teacher - no. was too loyal. :)
( ) attended a Jesuit retreat
( ) have gotten a parking ticket - i had nothing to park.
(x) came to school in your crappiest yet most comfy clothes - slightly baggy jeans, baby tee, rubber shoes
( ) learned how to use the Bayantel pay phones
(x) participated in school activities - food sales, org and cluster activities, job fairs, masses
(x) caught the Blue Babble Battalion tryouts - during first year, coz marley and reg tried out.
(x) dated an Atenean - not in the romantic sense, only in the two-friends-eating-out sense.
(x) rode a tricycle on campus - whenever i was close to being late, and/or it was raining.
(x) found a tambayan - Gabay Room
(x) admired the Marikina Valley at night - yes. way back in AJSS, and once, with Bene. :)
( ) went drinking along Katipunan
( ) learned how to beg for a higher grade
( ) used your cuts wisely - call me boring, but i hardly used my cuts.
( ) volunteered to be class beadle - no thanks. making seat plans and photocopying handouts for everyone do not appeal to me.
( ) had the worst lottery schedule for reg - had early reg priveleges :)
(x) admired the trees on campus - especially when the fire trees are in bloom
( ) have forgotten about your free cut and gone to that class - who is ever muddled enough to forget a free cut?!
(x) ate in the ISO canteen
(x) be active in your org
( ) have signed up on an ACP class just because the girl or guy you like signed up for it
( ) got as many app forms as you can during the job fair
(x) learned how to cram (and still get A's) - i have perfected this ;)
( ) sold tickets (or watched) an org-sponsored movie premiere
( ) saved money to photocopy all of your seatmate's notes
( ) have accidentally seen a makeout session
(x) check out the Meron Lagoon and Lambingan Bridge - i pass by the lagoon practically everyday. i focus on the lotus flowers, though (not on the murky water).
( ) have dozed off in class in Bel right after a class in CTC/SOM/Comm. Bldg or vice-versa - my CTC - Bel classes were at least an hour apart. thank God.
(x) learned how to work with groupmates from hell
( ) perfected the art of parking on campus
( ) had a bad encounter with one of the guards on campus - no. ateneo personnel are quite polite.
(x) developed a love for sisig - particularly those from Ken Afford and Mang Jimmy's
(x) learned how to pronounce "AEGIS" properly
(x) have used typing rooms at the library
(x) have reserved a classroom, AVR, etc. for a class or org function - yeah, even before the system was automated.
(x) have asked the library for an endorsement to research in other libraries - to "research" in la salle. who am i kidding?! :D
(x) have lost a perfectly functioning umbrella
(x) have used consultation hours properly
(x) looked forward to lab breakage refund, in case you didn't break any equipment
(x) visited the Guidance Office - each semester, for my required scholar's interview and once in a while, for test interpretation
(x) visited the Infirmary - for Caladryl, Biogesic, pre-immersion physical exam and to weigh myself :)
got 58 out of 92 items (i hope that my count is accurate). i'd say, not bad. :)
this is a nice way to reminisce anyway. here goes...
(x) ate at Manang's - of course. the first few times were when i was still a high school junior, and a participant of the ateneo junior summer seminar (AJSS).
(x) learned the alma mater - i don't know how, but i did.
(x) got on the dean's list - yup! except on my first sem. was short of 0.1. talk about frustrating!
( ) slept on a bench
( ) been a TNT!
( ) jogged around the campus in the evening
(x) visited the art gallery - once or twice. even got brochures.
(x) knew at least one xerox lady, manong, or technician by name - ate alma of colayco, ate jenny of RSF
(x) got a Jesuit for a teacher - fr. adolfo dacanay, SJ (th131)
(x) itched from higad bites - yes, once during third year. half my face turned horribly red and patchy. i took a certain medicine that made me sleep for three straight hours in the library.
(x) have gotten an F in something - yes. in one of my botany long tests, in a couple of th131 quizzes, and in my first long test with calasanz
(x) have taken a crap in school - yup! haha!
(x) watched a La Salle vs. Ateneo UAAP game - does watching on the idiot box count?
(x) gave a powerpoint presentation - who didn't???
(x) studied in the Caf Upstairs - yup, and ended up smelling like sisig whenever i wasn't lucky enough to get a seat near a window.
(x) watched a TA play - La Vida Es Sueño. it was required for fil11.
( ) sat on the SEC ledge and watched the stars
(x) eat in Full House, Martha's Kitchen, and Ken Afford - only in Ken Afford, though.
(x) slept in the lib - of course! the ambiance was too conducive for mind and body relaxation. hehe...
( ) visited Mr. San Andres
(x) went to the chapel - to pray, hear mass and sing in a choir
(x) have gotten a pebble stuck in your shoe/slippers in the middle of the quad - even pieces of gravel
( ) cut class with your block to watch a movie - our block wasn't close enough for this
(x) signed up for those institutional (i.e. difficult but brilliant) teachers: Ferriols, Dacanay, David, Manacsa, Ang, Escaler, Arcilla, Totanes, and many others - made it a point whenever they were among the options. was able to get dacanay and calasanz, both of whom gave me F's in some of the requirements.
( ) went to CERSA night
( ) have tried siomai rice
( ) learned how to smoke - i don't like the smell of smoke.
(x) fell in love - still in love.
(x) actually read the book you keep borrowing from the lib - there were only 2 or 3 books that i kept borrowing, for legitimate academic purposes.
(x) played cards during your free time - learned bluff, bridge and pusoy dos during first year.
(x) dressed in business attire - during orals (when the teacher said so) and defenses.
( ) learned to stay awake for more than 24 hours straight - no! not without the aid of extra joss.
( ) have gotten side comments from ASSOC - thank heavens, no.
( ) took (and enjoyed) Saturday classes
(x) went to your immersion - went to an aeta community in maporak, zambales.
(x) ate Food for Thought sandwiches - just once. and i never understood why two slices of bread, a lettuce leaf, a morsel of meat and a tomato slice costs 40 bucks.
(x) got a boyfriend/girlfriend - from the other school, yes. :)
(x) took time to read the vandalism in the CR doors - one went, "tell (cellphone number appears here) that he has succeeded in breaking the strongest girl there is." or something very similar to that.
( ) watched "Minsan Lang Sila Bata" and "Macho Dancer" for class
(x) did a last-minute paper - most of my papers were last-minute. our thesis was last-minute. hence, passing papers on time involved a lot of running on my and my groupmates' part. hehe...
(x) have spent a lot for 1x1 ID pictures (for index cards and teachers' seat plans) - and resumes.
(x) got exempted from final exams - physics, hi166 and eco102
(x) attended a college mass - i almost always did. hearing mass in the quad held a certain charm for me.
( ) promised to quit smoking
( ) played hide-and-seek in the mini-forest
(x) knew where the best restrooms are on campus
(x) joined an org - Gabay and Ateneo Peer Counselors Group
(x) allowed yourself to make mistakes - but never quite got over some of them
(x) took summer classes - only practicum class
( ) admired the sacred heart statue in the evening - never really thought about admiring it. was more focused on trying to see how it could turn into a statue of the Virgin Mary, as many attest that it can, due to a play of light and shadows.
(x) made a video for a project
( ) had a crush on a teacher - no. was too loyal. :)
( ) attended a Jesuit retreat
( ) have gotten a parking ticket - i had nothing to park.
(x) came to school in your crappiest yet most comfy clothes - slightly baggy jeans, baby tee, rubber shoes
( ) learned how to use the Bayantel pay phones
(x) participated in school activities - food sales, org and cluster activities, job fairs, masses
(x) caught the Blue Babble Battalion tryouts - during first year, coz marley and reg tried out.
(x) dated an Atenean - not in the romantic sense, only in the two-friends-eating-out sense.
(x) rode a tricycle on campus - whenever i was close to being late, and/or it was raining.
(x) found a tambayan - Gabay Room
(x) admired the Marikina Valley at night - yes. way back in AJSS, and once, with Bene. :)
( ) went drinking along Katipunan
( ) learned how to beg for a higher grade
( ) used your cuts wisely - call me boring, but i hardly used my cuts.
( ) volunteered to be class beadle - no thanks. making seat plans and photocopying handouts for everyone do not appeal to me.
( ) had the worst lottery schedule for reg - had early reg priveleges :)
(x) admired the trees on campus - especially when the fire trees are in bloom
( ) have forgotten about your free cut and gone to that class - who is ever muddled enough to forget a free cut?!
(x) ate in the ISO canteen
(x) be active in your org
( ) have signed up on an ACP class just because the girl or guy you like signed up for it
( ) got as many app forms as you can during the job fair
(x) learned how to cram (and still get A's) - i have perfected this ;)
( ) sold tickets (or watched) an org-sponsored movie premiere
( ) saved money to photocopy all of your seatmate's notes
( ) have accidentally seen a makeout session
(x) check out the Meron Lagoon and Lambingan Bridge - i pass by the lagoon practically everyday. i focus on the lotus flowers, though (not on the murky water).
( ) have dozed off in class in Bel right after a class in CTC/SOM/Comm. Bldg or vice-versa - my CTC - Bel classes were at least an hour apart. thank God.
(x) learned how to work with groupmates from hell
( ) perfected the art of parking on campus
( ) had a bad encounter with one of the guards on campus - no. ateneo personnel are quite polite.
(x) developed a love for sisig - particularly those from Ken Afford and Mang Jimmy's
(x) learned how to pronounce "AEGIS" properly
(x) have used typing rooms at the library
(x) have reserved a classroom, AVR, etc. for a class or org function - yeah, even before the system was automated.
(x) have asked the library for an endorsement to research in other libraries - to "research" in la salle. who am i kidding?! :D
(x) have lost a perfectly functioning umbrella
(x) have used consultation hours properly
(x) looked forward to lab breakage refund, in case you didn't break any equipment
(x) visited the Guidance Office - each semester, for my required scholar's interview and once in a while, for test interpretation
(x) visited the Infirmary - for Caladryl, Biogesic, pre-immersion physical exam and to weigh myself :)
got 58 out of 92 items (i hope that my count is accurate). i'd say, not bad. :)
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