Rouse the fire as the Ateneo de Manila High School launches its 13th Annual Fair- ALAB. For two days, let all hell break loose when sparks fly along the High School grounds. Join the many contests and enjoy the wide variety of booths the fair has to offer. And let the rays of the sun break the silence in SINAG, a rock concert that burns the boundaries with bands like Sandwich and Taken by Cars. Catch the stars of TALAB, as 13 pairs of models take lighting the sky to a whole new high. Stay a while longer to catch special guests like Chris Tiu, Robi Domingo, DJ's Mo Twister and Grace Lee, and many more. ALAB---NOT JUST ANY FAIR. ALAB is dedicated to helping out the Tulong Dunong Scholarship Program, which sends poor but deserving high school students to schools such as the Ateneo, Miriam and St. Scho. 

We're doing this for a cause, for SCHOLARSHIP. Be there.

A most unforgettable day, indeed. I am not ashamed to admit that I openly cried in front of my students. :) They were good tears. Thank you to the students who made their teachers' day very special.

And thank you to the DDD Committee (special mention: Enzo and Ernie) who made the rest of D3 EXTREMELY, CRAZILY FUN for all us teachers! Karaoke singing for four hours = WHOA

I'll let the pics do the talking. What a day.

( Read more... )

 

 

 

Best way to combat stress. Ever.

 

Although arcade games come a close second. That's Death Star Commander Joel Falgui on the console. :)

With Sir Joel, Enzo and Vinz

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY TO ALL TEACHERS!

The past Friday sent at least three minor epiphanies my way, most of them revolving around the general theme of "the second year of teaching." Yet Friday was a relatively light day for me, all things considered.

For one thing, my Friday started out quite leisurely. Instead of running around in agitation before the stroke of 7:45 a.m. (which, for some reason or another, I have found myself doing more constantly these past few weeks)---for once, this Friday, I just had to meet with a few students, deliver some instructions, and then retreat back to my cubicle to prepare for my classes with ten minutes to spare. Ah, the luxury of it. Those few precious minutes at the start of the day with which I could sit down and think...I missed having them. Those few minutes of clarity, of focus---they come rarer these days.

And then, one of my sections had their field trip, so I only had to substitute for another teacher for another section---no teaching involved there---and meet two of my own three. And since we were finishing up a story, and a lesson, I ended up doing light activities (on the part of the teacher, at least :)) like giving a quiz, and the worksheet for them to accomplish as a seatwork and homework. I didn't use my voice much, and I realized that it was so good just to be able to have a solid voice at the end of the day. And after I met my last class, I couldn't help but sing to myself a bit as I walked back to the workroom, just RELISHING the feeling and the knowledge that my voice was still there. :)

The rest of Friday was spent on a very productive meeting, after which my boss talked to me (and yes, I realize now that that was the catalyst for the ephiphanies :)). And after that, for the first time in FIVE WEEKS, I was able to put aside the papers I had to check and all the other work that needed to be attended to, and just put on my running shoes and go out into the sun and grass, and JOG with a friend. Never mind that as soon as we hit the field, it started to rain. Hahaha. We went to Moro and jogged there instead, and I got to see a certain Mr. T (clue: his name starts with a T and ends with a U, haha).

Friday was a good day, indeed! (And not just because of the Mr. T Sighting)

But now for the ephiphanies!

1) One good day makes up for a whole string of "bad" ones. That single enjoyable Friday  rendered the other string of gray, overloaded days obsolete and...inconsequential. :)

2) Always make time for exercise. We must always take care of our health! I realized that I had become quite unfit due to lack of exercise, so much so that I have been experiencing BACK PAINS (still am, actually) since Thursday that force me to walk, sit and recline in very awkward positions. :( This is baaad. Will make time to jog again this week.

(So if you see me walking like I am in pain, then it means I am...)

3) Weariness makes itself obvious (and is actually infectious). I was told that apparently, quite a number of people have noticed a considerable "drop" in my energy level as compared to last year. I've also noticed that, more and more frequently, I am being asked if everything is OK. I was a bit surprised because I had not thought my tiredness (due to my "bad days") was obvious. And okay, okay, I admit it. My pride is hurt because I don't like it when my face spells H-A-G-G-A-R-D. Grrrarrr. :)

Thus far, that's a bit of what the second year is like: a mix of good days and bad days. And the good days---when you get to think, and plan, and execute better; when the boys are a bit more well-behaved than usual and when you are not forced to get mad; when you get some time to leave work behind and just run with the wind; when you see a certain crush-able celebrity in person (still can't get over it! hehe)---far outweigh the bad.

Here's to more good days! (And more Mr. T sightings... :))

 Taken from http://ikfd08.multiply.com

DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! THESE ARE THE PERFECT GIFTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

2I's CUSTOMIZED NOTEBOOKS: WRITE THE RIGHT WAY. WRITE THE I WAY. :)

 

Notebooks never looked this good.

 

Hitting the Ateneo High School on Monday, Sept 22, 2008.

 

Hurry! Buy now while stocks last!

 

 

Sizes:

4x4''

6x6''

7 and 1/2 x 9 3/4 ''

 

 

 

 

Let's go 2I! Awoo!

Alive!! Yes! :)

Two months of my second year of teaching over. One would think that things would have gotten 'easier' now that it's not my first year of teaching anymore, but that's not the case! :) In addition to my usual teaching load, I'm a class moderator now as well as an 'org' moderator (FairCom), and I'm still taking M.A. classes. And look how those few words can't seem to encompass all the drama, excitement and exhiliration of these past two months. It's been an action-packed and very educational two months, to say the least. ;)

There's just too much going on in real life that I can't put it all down. Which is a pity, really, because I'm afraid if I don't set all the happenings down somewhere, I'd forget them. :( 

I just recently bumped into an old college professor during a book launch, and she gently reprimanded me for doing too much LIVING and not enough writing. You see, in our earliest Creative Writing classes she (and other professors) told that us that we needed to go out and LIVE first before considering doing any writing. So. Ah. Hm. I'm definitely doing the LIVING part right now. :) Lots and lots of it!

But yes. Henceforth, I vow to keep on blogging so as not to lose the writing completely. :) (Hear that, Ma'am C? hehe)

I recently looked at my past journal entries from a year ago and marvelled at the fact that, despite the obvious chaos that was college existence, I insisted on MAKING TIME to write. So! No more excuses. :) 

Hello, blogging! Remember me? :)

On Thursday, Gabi and I had a gig (also called "harang") in Baclaran Church. It was the first time I acted out my role of being my twinnie's "Manager" on such a scale. All of Baclaran was celebrating the fiest of Sta. Rita de Cascia, and apparently, it was a very big deal for them. Anyway, Gabi, along with the "UP Centennial Ensemble" (a name which was formed virtually on the spot; comprising of Celia Narzo on cello, Jose Carlo Tuazon on violin, Franz Miko Ramirez on oboe, and Kim "Bogz" Feliz on piano) set up and performed a full-length concert there (read: 20 songs). Aside from my 'manager' duties (mostly done backstage and weeks before the performance itself), I was the emcee / page turner / duet partner. ;) Oooh and I also got to perform one solo, Don't Cry For Me, Argentina!

(Aside: If there's one thing I regret not doing that night, it was my not being able to do the "Evita Move" (when Madonna looks over the crowd from the balcony and raises both her arms after singing "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina"). Haha. Oh well. Perhaps next time. :) End Aside)

That night, I had an epiphany. The life of a harangista---a life of performing, a life of gig after gig after gig, a life of making a living out of doing what you love--- is something I would not mind very much. In fact, I loved every second I was onstage. I loved every second I was offstage too---listening to the violinist, oboist, cellist and pianist and the indescribably beautiful music they made together. I loved singing with my twin, and singing alone. Oh, to sing your heart out and know that you make your audience's hearts sing as well! To make your voice soar with the music of the piano, cello, violin and oboe! There's no other feeling like it.

Gabi and I had a serious discussion that night. We're planning to make this a constant thing. She's the Talent, and I'm her Manager, but if the Client would want the novel experience of twins singing duets, well, we're all for that too. :) Awoo! Wish us luck!

So! If you want Music, who ya gonna call? :) 

Gabi and I with "Bogz"

Current Mood:

busy

(Please feel free to forward this to your family and friends)

Check it out, my twinnie Gabi's on the UP Diliman website!

From http://www.upd.edu.ph/~updinfo/index01.html

UP Diliman has 15 top honors

(UP Diliman Information Office)—

Fifteen students will receive the highest academic honors of summa cum laude at the 97th General Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) to be held on April 27 at the University Amphitheater.

The summa cum laude is awarded to graduates with a general weighted average (GWA) of l.20. Of the top honors, three will be conferred the degree of Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BS MBB); another a degree in Bachelor of Science in Economics (BS Econ) while two will receive a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BS Ch E).

Leading more than 4,000 graduates is Daryl Patrick G. Evangelista, BS Econ with a GWA of 1.072, followed by Jerome de Castro Sanchez, Bachelor of Arts in European Languages (1.083) and Bernadette Lopez, Bachelor of Science in Business Economics (1.109). The other summa cum laude graduates are: Carla Kathryn D. Co, BS Ch E (1.122); Ma. Ana Micaela G. Chua, Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature (1.148); Christina Lora M. Leyson, BS MBB (1.164); Glaiza Lyn A. Tan, BS MBB (1.168); Andrea Francesca M. Salvador, BS MBB (1.172) and Dan Christian de Ocampo Llaneta, BS Computer Science (1.174).

Two candidates have a GWA of 1.176, namely Gabriela M. Francisco, Bachelor of Music in Voice and Marione Allen R. Ozaeta, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The other top honors were: Brylle Lewylle S. Baluyot, BS Econ (1.177); Marian Angelica K. Panganiban, BS Econ (1.183); Dennis Christoffer B. Tagaza, BS Ch E (1.187) and Dorothy Anne B. Caligado, Bachelor of Science in Statistics (1.199).

Francisco will deliver the response on behalf of the graduating class. 

In February, Francisco and Co received UPD’s Gawad Chanselor Natatanging Mag-Aaral award. Leyson and Llaneta, on the other hand, were among the recipients of the 2008 BPI –DOST Science Awards.

The commencement rites carries the theme “100 Years of Excellence in Leadership and Service” in celebration of the University’s centenary and features UP Regent Abraham F. Sarmiento.

Traffic within the Academic Oval will be rerouted on April 27 for the commencement rites starting at 1 p.m.

Yes I know I graduated last year, but since my twinnie's graduating this year, along with a lot of the wonderful Arki people I met waaay back in my first year of Architecture (awww!!! :)), let me have a go!

Grabbed this from Rich, Christian and Cyst. :)

If there's an X then I LIVED THROUGH IT  -_-

___________________________________________________

[x] Worried about getting bullied by fratmen or getting killed in a riot. (Yup, have experienced nasty glances thrown my way...especially since Engineering has a lot of frats in it...not to mention Palma Hall, and A.S. Parking lot...zomg) (Oh, and does this count as bullying? A frat guy took advantage of my freshie stupidity and told me that 'TBA' was a classroom in the Engineering fourth floor)
[ ] Got bullied by fratmen or was killed in a riot. [Hm. If you were killed in a riot, would you be able to answer this meme at all?]
[ ] Witnessed a riot.
[x] Watched the Oblation Run. ALL FOUR TIMES!! *grin*
[x] Made friends with a teacher.
[ ] Was tricked as a freshman into attending a rally / prayer meeting.
[x] Wore red or black on one of those wear red or wear black days. (Oh yes. And got dragged into an impromptu rally right there and then because I happened to be wearing red. Oh. My.) 
[ ] Wore red on Valentine’s Day. (refused to)
[x] Wore black on Valentine's Day. *Happy Singles Awareness Day!*

EXPERIENCE OPERA FOR A CAUSE!

See Donizetti’s opera “Don Pasquale” performed by talented voice majors from the UP College of Music---and help send UP students to school!

 

Our NGO, Ex Libris Philippines, a nonstock, nonprofit, SEC-certified organization for book enthusiasts, is raising funds in order to help send UP students to school. Last March 7, 2007, our NGO held a special screening of the movie “300” in Rockwell Powerplant, and the funds from this movie screening sent two UP students (Gerico Punzalan of CAL and Hanna Garcia of Industrial Engineering) to school.

 

As this year’s fundraising activity for our NGO’s Scholarship Project, we are holding an opera production of “Don Pasquale”, with a cast of UP College of Music voice majors and UP alumni. All the funds to be raised from ticket sales will go to the Ex Libris Philippines Scholarship Fund and help send UP students to school.

 

For the price of 2 venti drinks at Starbucks, watch a great opera performed LIVE by fantastic performers AND help change lives! Please buy tickets and help us in our cause. With your help, we can send UP students to school. =)

 

 

 

EX LIBRIS PHILIPPINES

presents

an opera production of

 

Donizetti’s

"DON PASQUALE"

 

 

Featuring a cast and crew of UP College of Music Voice Majors and UP Alumni

 

 

For the benefit of the Ex Libris Philippines Scholarship Project.

6 p.m. 04 April 2008. Engineering Theater, Melchor Hall, University of the Philippines

 

Tickets at Php 350.00 each.

 

 

For ticket reservations please contact

Gabi  09209470835

Tata  09209470861

Or any Ex Libris Philippines member you know!

 

For more information about Ex Libris Philippines and our Scholarship Project, please visit our NGO’s site: http://exlibrisphilippines.multiply.com

 

 

 

(Tata: And yes, I have a small part here :))

Pics to follow! Hope everyone's enjoying their sembreak (however brief...it's back to work for us on Monday!!).

Current Location:	Baguio
Current Mood:	refreshed
Current Music:	Beautiful Girls