I started my day right. I've left the house early and arrived at PLDT at around 7:50am. The first thing I did was checked what's left for us to do in the whole day. Since there was a note regarding the implementation of the generated checklists of service orders, I immediately looked for a seat and started doing my task. Honestly, right now, I enjoy doing what I hate doing before. Since I am most of the time tasked at implementing installation, changing features, reconnection and disconnection of S12 switches, I kinda mastered the syntax and terms.
Today, we also attended a seminar at the fifth floor of the PLDT tower. Since we are student-trainees under Mr. Celso A. Dedace, we needed to attend the seminar though we're no longer part of the SoLuzCNet. I expected too much about the seminar to the point that I thought it's not a loss if I missed it. We listened to our co-trainees but from the different division and mostly from MMSU.
We went back to our section right after we've gone to the helipad. I immediately did my pending tasks and I made it sure that I finish them before we leave. It took me about four hours in front of the PC to accomplish them all. After everything was done, I felt like I've done so much this day with minimal to no errors.
We left PLDT at 6:25pm. Gino was with us in our jeepney ride to Cubao. And as usual, traffic was at it's worst in Barangka. After a tiring day, finally I'm home again..
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Certificate of Patience
This day I received a certificate of patience from Sir Paul written by Marc for having been able to withstand the tiring task of implementing the changing of features of subscribers in the S12 Switch.
It took me the whole day of our OJT plus over time until 10:00pm in working with the S12 switch using SSMS. A few minutes after I arrived, I was tasked by Ms. Ina to monitor the disconnection checklist of S12 from one of the computers in our section. I remember I started monitoring the process at 8:30am and up to 10:00am, the execution of the disconnection had not completed yet in all the listed service orders. After waiting for so long, it was aborted by Ma'am Ina for the reason that Steven would be using the PC to work on the program that he's been modifying and troubleshooting and I was assigned to a different station but of the same task of implementing S12 switches.
During my lunchtime, I just left my task hoping that after my break the switch would be properly working again. I had my lunch together with Gino and Christian at the fifth floor. When I was back at the NGN and PSTN Surveillance station, the switch wasn't working yet so I reported it to Ma'am Ina and she instructed me to ask Sir Paul. He taught me how to abort the execution of the particular activity in the implementation of S12 Switch without repeating the process to the numbers that has already been implemented. He also taught me the reason why it happened in a very technical manner which I found very interesting and I really learned a lot from it especially that it gave me a clearer view on what really the circulation of the tasks in the NSD is.
After that, I was back to implementing the 5-page list of changing of features in the S12 Switch. I patiently did my assignment to the point that I was staying at that station for a long time. Later I found out that they are making fun out of me like I can be awarded by a certificate of patience.
At 10:00pm we decided to go home after playing a bit of Ravenhearst although I haven't finished completely my task because I was told to just leave it unfinished.
It's really a tiring and stressful day but I am starting to see what it's like to be in the real world..
It took me the whole day of our OJT plus over time until 10:00pm in working with the S12 switch using SSMS. A few minutes after I arrived, I was tasked by Ms. Ina to monitor the disconnection checklist of S12 from one of the computers in our section. I remember I started monitoring the process at 8:30am and up to 10:00am, the execution of the disconnection had not completed yet in all the listed service orders. After waiting for so long, it was aborted by Ma'am Ina for the reason that Steven would be using the PC to work on the program that he's been modifying and troubleshooting and I was assigned to a different station but of the same task of implementing S12 switches.
During my lunchtime, I just left my task hoping that after my break the switch would be properly working again. I had my lunch together with Gino and Christian at the fifth floor. When I was back at the NGN and PSTN Surveillance station, the switch wasn't working yet so I reported it to Ma'am Ina and she instructed me to ask Sir Paul. He taught me how to abort the execution of the particular activity in the implementation of S12 Switch without repeating the process to the numbers that has already been implemented. He also taught me the reason why it happened in a very technical manner which I found very interesting and I really learned a lot from it especially that it gave me a clearer view on what really the circulation of the tasks in the NSD is.
After that, I was back to implementing the 5-page list of changing of features in the S12 Switch. I patiently did my assignment to the point that I was staying at that station for a long time. Later I found out that they are making fun out of me like I can be awarded by a certificate of patience.
At 10:00pm we decided to go home after playing a bit of Ravenhearst although I haven't finished completely my task because I was told to just leave it unfinished.
It's really a tiring and stressful day but I am starting to see what it's like to be in the real world..
Thursday, April 12, 2007
First day of OJT
I woke up early today because I have to make a good impression on my first day of my OJT at PLDT España and my classmates and I had agreed that we meet by 7:30am infront of PLDT. I left the house at around 6:20am. I boarded a jeepney from our street across DC Arcadia towards my first destination which is Cubao. I reminisced on the years when I was still in my first year college when I used to take that route going to UST. It was a bit long trip compared to riding a train from Katipunan to Legarda. Anyways, since my destination is PLDT España which is just at the front end of España boulevard or near the Welcome Rotonda, I have to take two jeepney rides. It's nearer and less costly that way though it'll consume a bit more time than taking the ride on the train. Taking two jeepney rides didn't fail me because I arrived infront of PLDT at around 7:18am. No one was there yet so I decided to go inside MiniStop which is just at the corner of España and the street adjacent to PLDT tower. A few minutes later, I decided to have a stroll outside just to waste time. After several minutes, I saw Christian coming so I called him and we both went to the meeting place.
We waited for our classmates at the back entrance of PLDT for a few more minutes before 8am. Just then, I saw their ID and it was already laminated. I immediately thought that I should have done it yesterday when I went to Sta. Lucia after passing my grades to DOST in Bicutan and getting our ID in PLDT Boni instead of deciding to have it done later in the afternoon. When we were already complete at exactly 8am, we logged in and prepared to get inside. Unfortunately, the ID must be laminated to get inside because it must be worn all the time while inside the premises of PLDT. It was good though that Miko had not done his also so we went to the nearby store which offers a lamination service. I just thought again that I was late on my first day of OJT.
We went back to the building and took different floors in the elevator. I took the 3rd floor because that was what I remembered. I alighted from the elevator and saw the deserted hallway. I walked towards the first door that I saw and peeked in the vertical window on it. I saw several cubicles but I didn't see them there so I walked straight ahead. Then came out a regular employee. I asked where the Corenet is and then he instructed me to go inside the room with the door at the left of the farthest end. I knocked and enter. I saw several employees then asked again. They instructed me to another room and by that time I was feeling a bit stupid for I was asking a station that I wasn't so sure of if it's the right one or if there really exists one. I walked towards another far end room but along the way there came out two employees so I asked and they pointed towards the same direction as the previous one. To the room at the leftmost end from the elevator, I walked in and saw a spacious room with only a few people and several PC units. The first person that I saw who I knew was Daniel. For the last time, I asked an employee and finally, I saw them.
The first thing that I noticed about the room was its gloomy environment. The lights are a bit dim the glass separating the two sections of the division is tinted. Our supposedly supervisor, Mr. Gil Santos is kind and he didn't bother to tour us immediately at the switching room after we accomplished the finalized schedule of our OJT. Inside the switching, we saw of course switches but for me they look like lockers with built in motherboard. Sir Gil briefly discussed about what those switches are for and what we are to do there. By the way, the room is cold because the temperature is maintained at 18C-20C. After that, we were back to the same gloomy room and the same slack state.
A few moments passed and then we received an announcement from Sir Gil that two of us shall be transferred to the other section because we were overcrowding in that station. At first, I was hesitant and I really won't volunteer to go there because I didn't want to be separated from the group. What happened was everyone was pin pointing of who's to go. We were discussing among ourselves when the head of the SDAS section came in and was ready to get the three from us. Christian was very much willing to go and then Marc also wanted so I also accepted the invitation. I must say, the SDAS(Subscriber's Database Administration Section) is better in terms of the working environment. The lights are bright and several employees and trainees are also stationed. The only thing that I don't like about the section is that the computer units are very near each other so that means we have to work in a minimal space.
Assessing the people around us, I must say these people are very nice. Starting from our head supervisor, Mr. Revy P. Santiano; a regular employee, Ms. Melissa "Ms. Melle" Tayao down to other student trainees namely Kap and Kristine. Sir Revy also let us meet the head manager of the NSD(Network Surveillance Division), Mr. Benex Katigbak. He is also nice and authoritative when speaking just like other managers I should say. Later that day, we also met Mr. Raul Dotimas.
On our first day of OJT, as expected, we were given a brief overview about the day to day activities in SDAS. We were also taught about the software needed in performing the tasks in that section. Kap, our fellow ECE student trainee from FEU who's about to finish his term as trainee in PLDT in a couple of days, taught us the different tasks using the software. First, he taught us how to use mBOSS and Netman4000. The first thing that was introduced to us was the NGN Switch and how to implement the encoded service orders using the said software. He said the rest will be taught to us the next day or some other days.
During lunchtime, we went to the fifth floor where the canteen for the employees is situated. It's a good place and very spacious too. The food are also palatable at a reasonable price. Our head told us that there's a carinderia outside but we tried first the canteen because our other classmates were also there. After lunch we went back to our business.
We continued with our work and finished all the pending tasks until it was time for us to go home. We left our station a bit late on the first day of our work. Haayy.. it is really tiring. I must say, it's great to be in the real world. I am contented with my OJT and I don't regret choosing to go to SDAS.
We waited for our classmates at the back entrance of PLDT for a few more minutes before 8am. Just then, I saw their ID and it was already laminated. I immediately thought that I should have done it yesterday when I went to Sta. Lucia after passing my grades to DOST in Bicutan and getting our ID in PLDT Boni instead of deciding to have it done later in the afternoon. When we were already complete at exactly 8am, we logged in and prepared to get inside. Unfortunately, the ID must be laminated to get inside because it must be worn all the time while inside the premises of PLDT. It was good though that Miko had not done his also so we went to the nearby store which offers a lamination service. I just thought again that I was late on my first day of OJT.
We went back to the building and took different floors in the elevator. I took the 3rd floor because that was what I remembered. I alighted from the elevator and saw the deserted hallway. I walked towards the first door that I saw and peeked in the vertical window on it. I saw several cubicles but I didn't see them there so I walked straight ahead. Then came out a regular employee. I asked where the Corenet is and then he instructed me to go inside the room with the door at the left of the farthest end. I knocked and enter. I saw several employees then asked again. They instructed me to another room and by that time I was feeling a bit stupid for I was asking a station that I wasn't so sure of if it's the right one or if there really exists one. I walked towards another far end room but along the way there came out two employees so I asked and they pointed towards the same direction as the previous one. To the room at the leftmost end from the elevator, I walked in and saw a spacious room with only a few people and several PC units. The first person that I saw who I knew was Daniel. For the last time, I asked an employee and finally, I saw them.
The first thing that I noticed about the room was its gloomy environment. The lights are a bit dim the glass separating the two sections of the division is tinted. Our supposedly supervisor, Mr. Gil Santos is kind and he didn't bother to tour us immediately at the switching room after we accomplished the finalized schedule of our OJT. Inside the switching, we saw of course switches but for me they look like lockers with built in motherboard. Sir Gil briefly discussed about what those switches are for and what we are to do there. By the way, the room is cold because the temperature is maintained at 18C-20C. After that, we were back to the same gloomy room and the same slack state.
A few moments passed and then we received an announcement from Sir Gil that two of us shall be transferred to the other section because we were overcrowding in that station. At first, I was hesitant and I really won't volunteer to go there because I didn't want to be separated from the group. What happened was everyone was pin pointing of who's to go. We were discussing among ourselves when the head of the SDAS section came in and was ready to get the three from us. Christian was very much willing to go and then Marc also wanted so I also accepted the invitation. I must say, the SDAS(Subscriber's Database Administration Section) is better in terms of the working environment. The lights are bright and several employees and trainees are also stationed. The only thing that I don't like about the section is that the computer units are very near each other so that means we have to work in a minimal space.
Assessing the people around us, I must say these people are very nice. Starting from our head supervisor, Mr. Revy P. Santiano; a regular employee, Ms. Melissa "Ms. Melle" Tayao down to other student trainees namely Kap and Kristine. Sir Revy also let us meet the head manager of the NSD(Network Surveillance Division), Mr. Benex Katigbak. He is also nice and authoritative when speaking just like other managers I should say. Later that day, we also met Mr. Raul Dotimas.
On our first day of OJT, as expected, we were given a brief overview about the day to day activities in SDAS. We were also taught about the software needed in performing the tasks in that section. Kap, our fellow ECE student trainee from FEU who's about to finish his term as trainee in PLDT in a couple of days, taught us the different tasks using the software. First, he taught us how to use mBOSS and Netman4000. The first thing that was introduced to us was the NGN Switch and how to implement the encoded service orders using the said software. He said the rest will be taught to us the next day or some other days.
During lunchtime, we went to the fifth floor where the canteen for the employees is situated. It's a good place and very spacious too. The food are also palatable at a reasonable price. Our head told us that there's a carinderia outside but we tried first the canteen because our other classmates were also there. After lunch we went back to our business.
We continued with our work and finished all the pending tasks until it was time for us to go home. We left our station a bit late on the first day of our work. Haayy.. it is really tiring. I must say, it's great to be in the real world. I am contented with my OJT and I don't regret choosing to go to SDAS.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Scrabble day
I've been recovering from the stressful school days that have just passed. It's already summer and what will keep me busy this vacation is our OJT. Right now I still have a few more days before I officially start my work in PLDT so I spend the remaining time purely on relaxation and entertainment.
Since I borrowed a couple of DVDs from Christian, I spend most of my time watching those movies. It's really a good thing that I have them because I am able to watch new movies which are mostly science fiction movies. As of now, I've already watched War of the Worlds, a bit of I Robot because I fell asleep when i was watching it, The Core and Jason X which lately I've found out that I've already watched it in a movie theater sometime during my high school days.
I also spend my time playing Scrabble with my sister. Actually, it started one day when I was doing nothing and she initiated the game. At first, I was hesitant because i thought it would be boring because it's like so childhood days but then I tried it out, anyways I was doing nothing that time. After that, we went for another round until we get used to playing scrabble during our slack time and mostly after watching a movie.
Right now, on the second day, we already have six rounds playing scrabble and I'm proud to say that I got 4 of the 6 rounds. In the most recent round, I thought it was the best game that we had because we got high scores and in the middle of the game I was surprised when my sister had all of the tiles in her rack laid so it was a scrabble! I felt so low that time and I thought that it was useless to fight because in that elusive turn of hers, she got 90 points from the word "sequoia", the highest so far.
But then I continued the game when I also got a high score but low enough compared to hers right after her record-breaking turn. A couple of turns passed and then when I got my tiles from the box and shuffled them I formed the word "benedict" with a missing "e" so I searched for a good spot in the board and found one! I just thought, I am also scrabble! It was still my sister's turn so I was still unsure if I could place all my tiles there on the right spot. I was feeling freaky that time but then luck went into my part. I was able to lay all the tiles there then I was technically and officially scrabble woohoo!! The score I got from it is lower than my sister's because it was only 14+50 points but the prestige of being able to lie all of my tiles down made me feel proud of myself ahaha!
When all the ponits were tallied, I found out that I won the round. I got 358 points and my sister got 356 points. Whew! What a game that was!
Since I borrowed a couple of DVDs from Christian, I spend most of my time watching those movies. It's really a good thing that I have them because I am able to watch new movies which are mostly science fiction movies. As of now, I've already watched War of the Worlds, a bit of I Robot because I fell asleep when i was watching it, The Core and Jason X which lately I've found out that I've already watched it in a movie theater sometime during my high school days.
I also spend my time playing Scrabble with my sister. Actually, it started one day when I was doing nothing and she initiated the game. At first, I was hesitant because i thought it would be boring because it's like so childhood days but then I tried it out, anyways I was doing nothing that time. After that, we went for another round until we get used to playing scrabble during our slack time and mostly after watching a movie.
Right now, on the second day, we already have six rounds playing scrabble and I'm proud to say that I got 4 of the 6 rounds. In the most recent round, I thought it was the best game that we had because we got high scores and in the middle of the game I was surprised when my sister had all of the tiles in her rack laid so it was a scrabble! I felt so low that time and I thought that it was useless to fight because in that elusive turn of hers, she got 90 points from the word "sequoia", the highest so far.
But then I continued the game when I also got a high score but low enough compared to hers right after her record-breaking turn. A couple of turns passed and then when I got my tiles from the box and shuffled them I formed the word "benedict" with a missing "e" so I searched for a good spot in the board and found one! I just thought, I am also scrabble! It was still my sister's turn so I was still unsure if I could place all my tiles there on the right spot. I was feeling freaky that time but then luck went into my part. I was able to lay all the tiles there then I was technically and officially scrabble woohoo!! The score I got from it is lower than my sister's because it was only 14+50 points but the prestige of being able to lie all of my tiles down made me feel proud of myself ahaha!
When all the ponits were tallied, I found out that I won the round. I got 358 points and my sister got 356 points. Whew! What a game that was!
Monday, February 12, 2007
back for no good ; )
After what seemed to be a drought in random thoughts..well, I'm back! What's keeping me busy lately is accomplishing the reply slip sent to us scholars by DOST. This will be due on the 23rd of February. It's about the Summer Practical Training that I have to comply to. Right now, I'm in the process of searching for companies to apply for an OJT. I already made a list of possible companies that I would want to go to. Although it's more challenging to go to an electronics industry, I would rather choose the telecommunications company because it is in the field of communications that I am seeing myself excel for now. Well' that's too early to tell. Anything can happen. All I have to do now is to prepare a good resume and submit to the list of companies that I wish to apply to so that in the end, I just have to choose from those companies who accepted me, that is if I have many options..hehe. Oh well, I'll never know 'til I get there.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Google earth
It's already 11:40 in our clock but I can't sleep yet. I'm browsing over the internet and I've crossed into this site where it features the google earth. I'm really amazed to see the images here. I'll post here some of the images.
This one is the view from the top of the University of Santo Tomas. This is the first one that I've searched when I typed in UST at the search bar of Blogger. I just did a print screen then pasted it in paint and saved it as bitmap.
That is the closer look, how about looking at it a little farther..From this view, the UST campus is very distinct because of its large square area and the trees along the lover's lane created like a pattern that is visible from a distance.
Afterwards, I also tried locating our house by tracing the railway of LRT and marking each station.. then voala!..here it is..
The link to the site that I got too see the google earth is:
http://perljam.net/google-satellite-maps/id/11281/Philippines/NCR/Manila/University_of_Santo_Tomas_Campus
If there be an interesting place that crossed my mind and I want to see it from google earth, I'll just post it here again. For now, I need to sleep..
This one is the view from the top of the University of Santo Tomas. This is the first one that I've searched when I typed in UST at the search bar of Blogger. I just did a print screen then pasted it in paint and saved it as bitmap.
That is the closer look, how about looking at it a little farther..From this view, the UST campus is very distinct because of its large square area and the trees along the lover's lane created like a pattern that is visible from a distance.
Afterwards, I also tried locating our house by tracing the railway of LRT and marking each station.. then voala!..here it is..
The link to the site that I got too see the google earth is:
http://perljam.net/google-satellite-maps/id/11281/Philippines/NCR/Manila/University_of_Santo_Tomas_Campus
If there be an interesting place that crossed my mind and I want to see it from google earth, I'll just post it here again. For now, I need to sleep..
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Dejavu: NECES Variety Show
This is the final day of the NECES week. And of course, just like the previous celebration, it ended with the variety show. What to look forward for in the NECES variety show is the performance of the ECE students in each year level starting from third year to fifth year. Last year our section ruled in the third year level because of our amazing performance like the maskman fever.
This year, the theme is different, of course..hehe. It's about the things of the past 3 decades from 70's, 80's and 90's. The presentation can be in any form as long as they fall within the bracket of the period. As for our section, the class decided to do dancing instead. Actually, 4ECEB, our section had a very minimal time of planning because we were busy with some other things last week, i guess, or we were just in the habit of cramming when the day of the presentation is about to come. It was only last Thursday when some of the steps in the dance were formed. And it was only in the two consecutive days before Saturday that we practiced. Yesterday, we stayed until 8:30pm to finalized the steps and do the blocking of each groups.
I never really like dancing since I got into college but just to go with the group, I did all that I can for the benefit of our performance. I also heard from Princess that Engr. Guevara, our class adviser, is willing to give extra credits if we do great in the variety show. Also, he won't hesitate to give us a 200 items-long quiz if we won't be able to present a decent one! It was really a pressure on our side to perform well.
This morning, I didn't bother to go early because I knew for sure that we're going to practice again. I already know the steps and I was not excited enough to go early just to dance again. Our class supposedly is at 7am in Eng'g Management with Engr. Vicerra. I arrived at UST at 7:45am. When I got there, there were only a few of them present so my decision was right. It was already past 8am when we were growing in numbers. Obviously, what our section did was practice again.
To break the happy moment for some, it was 9am when another section was going to have a class in Rm.42 and our adviser announced something so we packed our things and went to ECE Lab.A at the second floor. Our adviser said we were suppose to have a class officer election that day and he also emphasized that all the position shall be replaced a new person. I thought it's sad for Gino because he has been our president since second year. I was surprised because when the nomination was opened for secretary, I was nominated and then elected..whoa..I didn't expect to have a responsibility for the class. Anyway, it's good to be one of the class officers though.. especially on the centennial celebration of the Engineering..hehehe
After the election, back to business again. We practiced the whole performance again. And to have a final one, we practiced with our costumes on. I said to myself, anyway after this be back to studying again so just enjoy the moment. It was already lunchtime when we had a break to eat and then commanded to be present at the field infront of the Eductaion bldg at around 1pm because it's when the show begins. We just ate at McDo in the carpark of UST so as not to waste more time.
The program didn't start at the right time just as the Filipinos are known for. Our class plus two more were very early waiting under the heat of the sun for the program to begin but it was like 3pm when it started. The set-up of the stage that they put up was smaller but it was ok. The audience were seating on monoblock chairs with 2 wide tarpaulin-roofed stalls placed on both sides of the venue to shield the people from the sun. It didn't accommodate the whole crowd though. The sound system was also good although it could damage our ear drums..hehe. We did understand anyways that there would be bands that would play later that show. The emcees were Engr. Vicerra and an ECE student.
The first part of the show was the awarding of winners in the previous events of the NECES Week. Our section winning the Men's Basketball for two consecutive years already. I guess doing it first is also a way to wait for some other audience to come especially those who were still having classes. There were also raffle draws to excite the students. The prizes were gift checks from Tokyo Tokyo and some beauty products I guess.
The next part which was the most awaited is the performance of each section in each level. The sequence started from the third year level down to the fifth year level. The third years really did great! I think performance-wise they were the best because they were all prepared and their presentation was polished very neatly. Just like in our section, they also did an-all dance performance. The only difference was they had individual actors for each popular figure in each decades like Michael Jackson, the Backstreet boys and the Spice Girls. Their performance was really nice to watch because they showcased their talents in dancing and impersonating and they all grooved into the music.
In the fourth year level, the performance level seemed to go a little notch lower because the synchronization of the dancers were given a little importance but the choreography was good especially in our section who performed first among the fourth years. The songs in our performance include: Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso and Macarena (90's), My Sharona and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (80's) and I'm Coming Out and Careless Whisper (70's). I was part of the 90's group and I must say that we really didn't do quite good. The choreo of the 80's is the best because the beat of the music is faster and livelier. Of the three parts, the last performance captured the audience's attention the most because of the Sex Balls-like portrayal of our classmates who were wearing only tight black cycling shorts and suspenders. That was the highlight of our performance, I should say because it made the crowd laugh and be entertained.
The fifth years performed last. It was already dusk when they started. Since they were allotted 20 minutes in their performance, they had a lot to show. Some were boring because they did like a choral something. What I remembered that wowed me was the Super Mario. At first, I can't believe how they've gotten the idea of doing such because it's really unique. One of them acted as Mario and the props like the clouds, the bricks, the grasses were held by those people in black and they were all rotating around a black cloth to have a scene like the sequence in the game. That was the highlight in the fifth year level. I was also entertained by the "HE! Girls" in another section. I just couldn't stop laughing at one point when they shout "he!" They were all serious in acting to the point that they look like crazy because all that they utter was the word "he!" That's what made me laugh, I guess.
After all the performances, we had our dinner while watching the rock performance of the band from our section. The announcement of winners then followed. In 3rd year, the winner is 3B, 4th year, the winner is of course our section 4B. We are already back to back champions just like in basketball. In the 5th yr, I thought it was 5B because of the pattern and I was also entertained by their performance but it went to 5A who was also the over-all champion in the NECES week. Our section won 3rd place tied with 3B in the over-all.
After a tiring day, I went to the PGH to visit my cousin Eman. Early this morning, my sister told me to go there because she'll also be there and we'll just go home together afterwards. When I was already there, at first, I can't figure out where to go because what was given to me was the room number only which is Rm.562. I thought there are several buildings there but later, I found out that it's just one. I asked several guards and I was relieved when I got there. When I got in the room, I saw a dextrose beside Eman's bed plus the Nutriplex that serves as his food because his esophagus is wounded and he couldn't take food using his mouth. I felt sad for him but then I showed no sign of pity so as not to worsen his case. I just talked to him and asked about the province. It took me about an hour and a half before I decided to go home with my sister.
It was already late when we arrived home.
This year, the theme is different, of course..hehe. It's about the things of the past 3 decades from 70's, 80's and 90's. The presentation can be in any form as long as they fall within the bracket of the period. As for our section, the class decided to do dancing instead. Actually, 4ECEB, our section had a very minimal time of planning because we were busy with some other things last week, i guess, or we were just in the habit of cramming when the day of the presentation is about to come. It was only last Thursday when some of the steps in the dance were formed. And it was only in the two consecutive days before Saturday that we practiced. Yesterday, we stayed until 8:30pm to finalized the steps and do the blocking of each groups.
I never really like dancing since I got into college but just to go with the group, I did all that I can for the benefit of our performance. I also heard from Princess that Engr. Guevara, our class adviser, is willing to give extra credits if we do great in the variety show. Also, he won't hesitate to give us a 200 items-long quiz if we won't be able to present a decent one! It was really a pressure on our side to perform well.
This morning, I didn't bother to go early because I knew for sure that we're going to practice again. I already know the steps and I was not excited enough to go early just to dance again. Our class supposedly is at 7am in Eng'g Management with Engr. Vicerra. I arrived at UST at 7:45am. When I got there, there were only a few of them present so my decision was right. It was already past 8am when we were growing in numbers. Obviously, what our section did was practice again.
To break the happy moment for some, it was 9am when another section was going to have a class in Rm.42 and our adviser announced something so we packed our things and went to ECE Lab.A at the second floor. Our adviser said we were suppose to have a class officer election that day and he also emphasized that all the position shall be replaced a new person. I thought it's sad for Gino because he has been our president since second year. I was surprised because when the nomination was opened for secretary, I was nominated and then elected..whoa..I didn't expect to have a responsibility for the class. Anyway, it's good to be one of the class officers though.. especially on the centennial celebration of the Engineering..hehehe
After the election, back to business again. We practiced the whole performance again. And to have a final one, we practiced with our costumes on. I said to myself, anyway after this be back to studying again so just enjoy the moment. It was already lunchtime when we had a break to eat and then commanded to be present at the field infront of the Eductaion bldg at around 1pm because it's when the show begins. We just ate at McDo in the carpark of UST so as not to waste more time.
The program didn't start at the right time just as the Filipinos are known for. Our class plus two more were very early waiting under the heat of the sun for the program to begin but it was like 3pm when it started. The set-up of the stage that they put up was smaller but it was ok. The audience were seating on monoblock chairs with 2 wide tarpaulin-roofed stalls placed on both sides of the venue to shield the people from the sun. It didn't accommodate the whole crowd though. The sound system was also good although it could damage our ear drums..hehe. We did understand anyways that there would be bands that would play later that show. The emcees were Engr. Vicerra and an ECE student.
The first part of the show was the awarding of winners in the previous events of the NECES Week. Our section winning the Men's Basketball for two consecutive years already. I guess doing it first is also a way to wait for some other audience to come especially those who were still having classes. There were also raffle draws to excite the students. The prizes were gift checks from Tokyo Tokyo and some beauty products I guess.
The next part which was the most awaited is the performance of each section in each level. The sequence started from the third year level down to the fifth year level. The third years really did great! I think performance-wise they were the best because they were all prepared and their presentation was polished very neatly. Just like in our section, they also did an-all dance performance. The only difference was they had individual actors for each popular figure in each decades like Michael Jackson, the Backstreet boys and the Spice Girls. Their performance was really nice to watch because they showcased their talents in dancing and impersonating and they all grooved into the music.
In the fourth year level, the performance level seemed to go a little notch lower because the synchronization of the dancers were given a little importance but the choreography was good especially in our section who performed first among the fourth years. The songs in our performance include: Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso and Macarena (90's), My Sharona and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (80's) and I'm Coming Out and Careless Whisper (70's). I was part of the 90's group and I must say that we really didn't do quite good. The choreo of the 80's is the best because the beat of the music is faster and livelier. Of the three parts, the last performance captured the audience's attention the most because of the Sex Balls-like portrayal of our classmates who were wearing only tight black cycling shorts and suspenders. That was the highlight of our performance, I should say because it made the crowd laugh and be entertained.
The fifth years performed last. It was already dusk when they started. Since they were allotted 20 minutes in their performance, they had a lot to show. Some were boring because they did like a choral something. What I remembered that wowed me was the Super Mario. At first, I can't believe how they've gotten the idea of doing such because it's really unique. One of them acted as Mario and the props like the clouds, the bricks, the grasses were held by those people in black and they were all rotating around a black cloth to have a scene like the sequence in the game. That was the highlight in the fifth year level. I was also entertained by the "HE! Girls" in another section. I just couldn't stop laughing at one point when they shout "he!" They were all serious in acting to the point that they look like crazy because all that they utter was the word "he!" That's what made me laugh, I guess.
After all the performances, we had our dinner while watching the rock performance of the band from our section. The announcement of winners then followed. In 3rd year, the winner is 3B, 4th year, the winner is of course our section 4B. We are already back to back champions just like in basketball. In the 5th yr, I thought it was 5B because of the pattern and I was also entertained by their performance but it went to 5A who was also the over-all champion in the NECES week. Our section won 3rd place tied with 3B in the over-all.
After a tiring day, I went to the PGH to visit my cousin Eman. Early this morning, my sister told me to go there because she'll also be there and we'll just go home together afterwards. When I was already there, at first, I can't figure out where to go because what was given to me was the room number only which is Rm.562. I thought there are several buildings there but later, I found out that it's just one. I asked several guards and I was relieved when I got there. When I got in the room, I saw a dextrose beside Eman's bed plus the Nutriplex that serves as his food because his esophagus is wounded and he couldn't take food using his mouth. I felt sad for him but then I showed no sign of pity so as not to worsen his case. I just talked to him and asked about the province. It took me about an hour and a half before I decided to go home with my sister.
It was already late when we arrived home.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Seminar
Waking up early has always been the hardest part of the day for me. I just wanna be on my bed the whole day but that definitely won't happen. Just this morning, I woke up early again. Uncertain of what time to go to school, I just forced myself to move. Actually our class is at 9am. Since there will be a seminar at 8am and the registration is only from 7-8am, I tried to be at the school early. I didn't really know if we are required to attend or it's just optional but I know that there will be a certificate of attendance afterwards and that's very important when we reach our fifth year. Last night, I was waiting for a confirmation of what time to go to school today from our president but I didn't receive any so I just made my own decision to come early.
Inside the train at the Katipunan station, I saw Philip and he was carrying so many stuff. Hanging on the bar were his coat, uniform, pants and long sleeves, all neatly placed inside a plastic covering. I knew that it is the pageant of Chemical Eng'g later that afternoon and he's one of the candidates. He told me that they will have a final practice at the Education Auditorium. We shared different news about everything because it had been a long while since we last bumped into each other. It's really nice to know that somewhere I do meet my friends.
After alighting from the train at the Legarda station, I saw Allan and then I asked him what time the seminar will start and where. I presumed that time that many of our classmates were already there at the Eng'g Conference Hall because it was quarter before 8am. I introduced Philip to Allan but they said they have already seen each other inside their subdivision in Kingsville. However they just know that they are on the same school but now they know each other by name. On the way out, I helped him carry some of his things.
The lobby at the third floor was deserted when I walked into it. From afar, I saw a long table which I knew was where the registration takes place. I saw a familiar face and it was Daniel. He was in charged of assisting those who sign-up for registration. I arrived at the conference hall at 8:05am. Apart from what I was thinking, I was only the third who arrived there. There were no classmates inside the hall yet when Allan and I entered. Anyway, I said to myself that I would just attend the seminar and then go to class when it's 9am. However, Gino said that Ma'am Joy allowed us to stay in the seminar because we wouldn't have a class.
The talk was all about Broadband Communications. It featured one of the leading Telecommunications Company in the Philippines and in the world. It's Smart. At first,
the seminar seemed interesting for me because I really want to know more about communications after having it as my favorite subject for now, plus the fact that most of the speakers are Thomasian alumni. They also emphasized that every after the presentation of each speaker, there will be a game in a sort of question and answer. And the thing is, whoever gets the right answer will get gift packs from them. As the seminar progresses, there were some moments when I feel like not listening anymore especially when the topic is getting farther from what I can really grasp. Using some video clips also did make an impact, however, I guess there were some problems with the audio. The first part of the seminar was indeed focused on the services offered by Smart. The next parts were more of related to what really the talk was about.
The speaker was presenting his introduction about broadband communications when Gino said to us that Engr. Barretto was having a class. We went to the classroom to attend to his class. Anyway, it's our Comms class and it is related to the seminar. I also want to listen to the lecture of our professor because I learn a lot from him.
After that class, we had no more classes. We just had a class discussion on what we will be doing in the variety show this coming Saturday. I must admit that I don't have much to contribute except for my participation. At the end of the meeting, I was tasked to download some of the songs in our group.
Inside the train at the Katipunan station, I saw Philip and he was carrying so many stuff. Hanging on the bar were his coat, uniform, pants and long sleeves, all neatly placed inside a plastic covering. I knew that it is the pageant of Chemical Eng'g later that afternoon and he's one of the candidates. He told me that they will have a final practice at the Education Auditorium. We shared different news about everything because it had been a long while since we last bumped into each other. It's really nice to know that somewhere I do meet my friends.
After alighting from the train at the Legarda station, I saw Allan and then I asked him what time the seminar will start and where. I presumed that time that many of our classmates were already there at the Eng'g Conference Hall because it was quarter before 8am. I introduced Philip to Allan but they said they have already seen each other inside their subdivision in Kingsville. However they just know that they are on the same school but now they know each other by name. On the way out, I helped him carry some of his things.
The lobby at the third floor was deserted when I walked into it. From afar, I saw a long table which I knew was where the registration takes place. I saw a familiar face and it was Daniel. He was in charged of assisting those who sign-up for registration. I arrived at the conference hall at 8:05am. Apart from what I was thinking, I was only the third who arrived there. There were no classmates inside the hall yet when Allan and I entered. Anyway, I said to myself that I would just attend the seminar and then go to class when it's 9am. However, Gino said that Ma'am Joy allowed us to stay in the seminar because we wouldn't have a class.
The talk was all about Broadband Communications. It featured one of the leading Telecommunications Company in the Philippines and in the world. It's Smart. At first,
the seminar seemed interesting for me because I really want to know more about communications after having it as my favorite subject for now, plus the fact that most of the speakers are Thomasian alumni. They also emphasized that every after the presentation of each speaker, there will be a game in a sort of question and answer. And the thing is, whoever gets the right answer will get gift packs from them. As the seminar progresses, there were some moments when I feel like not listening anymore especially when the topic is getting farther from what I can really grasp. Using some video clips also did make an impact, however, I guess there were some problems with the audio. The first part of the seminar was indeed focused on the services offered by Smart. The next parts were more of related to what really the talk was about.
The speaker was presenting his introduction about broadband communications when Gino said to us that Engr. Barretto was having a class. We went to the classroom to attend to his class. Anyway, it's our Comms class and it is related to the seminar. I also want to listen to the lecture of our professor because I learn a lot from him.
After that class, we had no more classes. We just had a class discussion on what we will be doing in the variety show this coming Saturday. I must admit that I don't have much to contribute except for my participation. At the end of the meeting, I was tasked to download some of the songs in our group.
Monday, November 20, 2006
What an encounter..
What a day it has been for me! So many things happened this day and I'm so tired now that I just wanna sleep but I have to store every good and bad memories that I have so that when I look back on this blog which is sort of a private online journal for me, I'll remember everything.
First of all, let me start at the beginning of the day. It's a Monday today and what I was worrying about early in the morning is that I haven't washed yet my uniform!Waaahh!! All I did a few moments after I got up from bed was I washed my uniforms. I really hate this kind of task because it's really boring and at the same time..tiring, but I have to do it for I can't rely unto others. Just before I finished this task, I heard from ate the condition of Bakekang, our pet kitten. She was very weak that time and doesn't move much so I was thinking maybe it was about time for her to die. I have seen even before that she's really suffering from so much pain right at her stomach part. I guess on the bright side of the incident, she has ended her agony. Goodbye Bakekang..
So much now for the sad part because this day, I said to myself that I'm going to enjoy my day! Before lunchtime, the phone rang. I was the one who picked it up and it was Kuya Joy. He said Ate Gina wants to talk to ate but I said she was busy with something so I was the one who talked to her. It was about their planned gimmick this day which I already know because my ate told about it to me last night. I asked if I can also come because like I said I want to enjoy my day. Ate Gina replied.. Oh sure. I was delighted by her response..hehe.
It was already lunchtime when I started preparing because they agreed to meet at around 3pm at Auntie Marlyn's house in San Andres Bukid, Manila. I also started watching the movie clips that I downloaded in youtube. It is the latest movie of Jeon Ji-Hyun entitled Daisy. At first, I was expecting so much because I've read from some of the reviews about the plot of the movie that it's good. I can't judge it right then because I haven't finished watching the whole film but I was hoping that the story will soon progress because it's kinda lame at the beginning.
We arrived at Auntie Marlyn's house just a few minutes late. When we got there, as if there was no plan agreed upon because Kuya Joy was sleeping on the sofa and everyone also I guess was sleeping before we arrived. However, Ate Gina needed to get an internet connection to check her email so the gimmick had to push thru. After a while, I noticed that it was only Ate Gina, Kuya Joy, Joseph, Ate and I who were ready to go and Jasmin wasn't at all getting ready that time so i wondered why wasn't she coming with us. It was later that day that I found out that she and Ate Gina had misunderstandings and I guess I'm out of it. Just after everyone else was ready, we went out the house and then walked to the corner of the street to look for a taxi cab that will take us to SM Mall of Asia. The street there is full of kids unlike here in our compound in Marikina where there's only a few. It took us a few minutes to take a a cab because almost all were refusing to take us. When we finally had one, we got ourselves into the cab though we were too many to get accommodated comfortably.
At last, when we alighted from the taxi cab, I finally felt comfortable. It was my first time to get there at SM Mall of Asia. It's really that BIG! There's also a wide area for parking. At first we didn't know where to enter because like I've said it's our first time there and Ate Gina wanted to take photos of everything but decided not to do it yet. It was easy to find the entrance because there were also people going into that direction. When we finally got in, the interior of the mall is just like the other malls but of course the difference is that it's new and only a few people are strolling there yet. Maybe in a few years now, it will be flooded with lots of people just like in SM Megamall. There are so many alleys to go to and the shops are expectedly bigger than the usual so we definitely can't roam around the whole mall so Ate Gina decided to go directly to the computer section to look for a hotspot for her laptop. We reached the part of the mall with no aircon and in this portion is where the park is situated and the computer section is also there. Just then, I thought that the hotspots are usually in cafe bars so we then looked for Starbucks. We saw the Manila Bay in one part of the mall. I thought Ate Gina would take photos of us there because it's really a nice spot but we just passed by it. We also passed by the cinema hall and then saw the entrance to the iMax. I really want to try watching here but I guess it wasn't the right time yet. Anyways, there are still so much time to go to Mall of Asia and I'll love it with my barkada.
We went to Starbucks and then Ate Gina got her email checked. He just sent message to her boss about where she is already and how she's doing. She also showed the website of the library that she's working in. It is the Palmesrton North Library. When she was done with everything, she let us check our email but it was only Ate who did it because I don't expect any important message from anybody. Just then, we saw that Kuya Stephen has a message to her. Ate said, she hasn't replied yet to it so we told her to scribble anything so that we'll make use some of the remaining time. However, ate refused because she said she wants to do it when she's alone. Then we laughed. Ate Gina started to type in some words to greet Kuya Stephen and then put in there that we are at SM Mall of Asia. When we no longer have anything to send email to anybody, we decided to stroll around. The next shop that we got into was Bench. Ate Gina told us to get anything we like because she'll be giving it as her gift this coming Christmas. I picked one and it's a perfume. RED Series Edition is the name. I find it friendly to the nose because there's like only a few content of the ethyl alcohol and the scent is somewhat unique. It's a bit costly though but Ate Gina didn't mind it anyway.
Afterwards, we decided to eat at KFC. Ate Gina ordered a bucket meal for us. What I like in KFC is the coleslaw and I keep coming back there because of it. Just like in UST, whenever we eat chicken at KFC inside UST, I also order coleslaw. That is when I'm not in a tight budget. The drinks were also upsized so we had tumblers. It's Happy Feet. I forgot to get my tumbler from Joseph so I didn't have a souvenir when we ate with Ate Gina.
Our day in SM Mall of Asia was about to end after eating but before we left the place, we had photos of ourselves inside the mall. We had it infront of the giant Christmas tree. I forgot that I was wearing a red polo shirt that time so maybe the color of my shirt blended with the background..haha. I'll post it here when we already get the copy from Ate Gina. There were also shots taken from different parts of the mall and what Ate Gina wanted to have a shot of was the globe outside but it can't be seen when captured in the digicam because it's already night although the globe has light which changes from different colors like blue, green, red, yellow and violet.
Just then, we decided to go home to San Andres because they will be leaving for Luna, La Union later that night. We were supposed to ride in a taxi cab again but the drivers refuse to take us because there can't be five passengers in a cab so we decided to take the FX. The four of us, Ate Gina, Ate, Joseph and I were seated at the back and Kuya Joy was at the middle seat. It took about 20 minutes before the FX left because the seats should be complete with passengers first. That time, I was feeling like about to urinate but I just controlled it because the mall is too far and at any time a passenger may come to complete the seats so the FX may go. When the FX was already running at great speed and we were in the middle of Roxas Boulevard, I was feeling sick already because I was just controlling my pee. They said use my mind to control it like mind over matter but I felt like my bladder was gonna explode. I really don't want to be placed in that situation because I don't know what I'm gonna do. They were making fun of me like telling me to just pee in the tumblers that we got at KFC. I also laughed but the more I moved my body the more I was feeling that it's gonna come out so I just concentrated. When we were in Quirino Ave. I already gave up. When the FX was at a stop and we were infront of a gas station, I opened the backdoor of the car and rushed to the public toilet. I didn't think of anything that time other than myself getting rid of that really bad situation.
After I've released it out of my system, I went back to the road and then expected to see that they were already gone. I decided that time to just take a cab because I was new in that place. All I knew is that it's the intersection of Qurino Ave. and Taft Ave. I also saw the LRT station in Quirino. I wanted to get to Radium street that time immediately because I didn't want them to worry about me so I didn't take the option of riding a jeepney along Taft which was the only route that I knew how to get there. Without thinking about anything, I just crossed Taft Ave. then I saw the street name plate with San Andres in it so I thought maybe if I just go straight ahead I'll get to where I'm supposed to go. I also saw some pedicabs so I asked one of the drivers if Dagonoy market is just near. A couple of drivers instructed me to take a jeepney in the street that one of them was pointing then I'll just alight at 7 11 in Onyx. I immediately rode into the jeep that first passed by me. In just less than 15 minutes, I reached the place where I'm familiar already so I just walk briskly to Radium street. When I was finally at Auntie Marlyn's house, I was relieved. It was my first time to see Auntie Marlyn so I paid due respect. They said I was fast because it was only a few minutes after they've arrived when I got there too.
Unlike when my Ate and I first arrived there in the afternoon, the house was already full of people. The whole Doroteo family was already there except for Uncle Benjie. They were waiting for us to arrive so that we'll have dinner all at the same time but Ate Gina told them that we are already done so they decided to eat. While Ate Gina, Joseph and Kuya Joy were packing their things, Ate and I were just watching TV in the sala. I wasn't able to talk to my third degree cousins but I understand. Of the four brothers, I had once become a company of Benson when we were in Rimos 1. The three of us --Joseph, Benson and I were buddies that time. Bryan, the eldest is also a Thomasian. He's currently a freshman taking up Journalism. The two younger brothers are Benjo and Benedict. When Uncle Benjie came to the scene, I also showed respect.
It was not too long when they were all packed up. They put all their baggages in the van and then made themselves get ready to leave. It was my first time to ride in their van. Ate has already ridden in it I guess twice already when they went to the province. I also remembered that it's the same van that Tatang used to ride when they go to La Union. The destination then was at the Fariñas bus station along Lacson. I know it because it's near our school. The trip wasn't that long because it's just near so when we reached it, they all said their goodbyes. I got a hug from Ate Gina and a goodbye from Jasmin. I wished them all a happy trip. As for Ate and I, we explained to Auntie Marlyn that our way going home is in España so they let us ride in their van again. While in the van, Auntie Marlyn was talking to us about stuff and I must say that it's a good way to have no dead air..hehe. When we reached the corner of España and Lacson, we said our thank you and goodbye to Auntie Marlyn and Uncle Benjie.
From there, we rode a jeepney going to Cubao. Then another one going to SSS Vill. It's already past 11pm when reached our house.
First of all, let me start at the beginning of the day. It's a Monday today and what I was worrying about early in the morning is that I haven't washed yet my uniform!Waaahh!! All I did a few moments after I got up from bed was I washed my uniforms. I really hate this kind of task because it's really boring and at the same time..tiring, but I have to do it for I can't rely unto others. Just before I finished this task, I heard from ate the condition of Bakekang, our pet kitten. She was very weak that time and doesn't move much so I was thinking maybe it was about time for her to die. I have seen even before that she's really suffering from so much pain right at her stomach part. I guess on the bright side of the incident, she has ended her agony. Goodbye Bakekang..
So much now for the sad part because this day, I said to myself that I'm going to enjoy my day! Before lunchtime, the phone rang. I was the one who picked it up and it was Kuya Joy. He said Ate Gina wants to talk to ate but I said she was busy with something so I was the one who talked to her. It was about their planned gimmick this day which I already know because my ate told about it to me last night. I asked if I can also come because like I said I want to enjoy my day. Ate Gina replied.. Oh sure. I was delighted by her response..hehe.
It was already lunchtime when I started preparing because they agreed to meet at around 3pm at Auntie Marlyn's house in San Andres Bukid, Manila. I also started watching the movie clips that I downloaded in youtube. It is the latest movie of Jeon Ji-Hyun entitled Daisy. At first, I was expecting so much because I've read from some of the reviews about the plot of the movie that it's good. I can't judge it right then because I haven't finished watching the whole film but I was hoping that the story will soon progress because it's kinda lame at the beginning.
We arrived at Auntie Marlyn's house just a few minutes late. When we got there, as if there was no plan agreed upon because Kuya Joy was sleeping on the sofa and everyone also I guess was sleeping before we arrived. However, Ate Gina needed to get an internet connection to check her email so the gimmick had to push thru. After a while, I noticed that it was only Ate Gina, Kuya Joy, Joseph, Ate and I who were ready to go and Jasmin wasn't at all getting ready that time so i wondered why wasn't she coming with us. It was later that day that I found out that she and Ate Gina had misunderstandings and I guess I'm out of it. Just after everyone else was ready, we went out the house and then walked to the corner of the street to look for a taxi cab that will take us to SM Mall of Asia. The street there is full of kids unlike here in our compound in Marikina where there's only a few. It took us a few minutes to take a a cab because almost all were refusing to take us. When we finally had one, we got ourselves into the cab though we were too many to get accommodated comfortably.
At last, when we alighted from the taxi cab, I finally felt comfortable. It was my first time to get there at SM Mall of Asia. It's really that BIG! There's also a wide area for parking. At first we didn't know where to enter because like I've said it's our first time there and Ate Gina wanted to take photos of everything but decided not to do it yet. It was easy to find the entrance because there were also people going into that direction. When we finally got in, the interior of the mall is just like the other malls but of course the difference is that it's new and only a few people are strolling there yet. Maybe in a few years now, it will be flooded with lots of people just like in SM Megamall. There are so many alleys to go to and the shops are expectedly bigger than the usual so we definitely can't roam around the whole mall so Ate Gina decided to go directly to the computer section to look for a hotspot for her laptop. We reached the part of the mall with no aircon and in this portion is where the park is situated and the computer section is also there. Just then, I thought that the hotspots are usually in cafe bars so we then looked for Starbucks. We saw the Manila Bay in one part of the mall. I thought Ate Gina would take photos of us there because it's really a nice spot but we just passed by it. We also passed by the cinema hall and then saw the entrance to the iMax. I really want to try watching here but I guess it wasn't the right time yet. Anyways, there are still so much time to go to Mall of Asia and I'll love it with my barkada.
We went to Starbucks and then Ate Gina got her email checked. He just sent message to her boss about where she is already and how she's doing. She also showed the website of the library that she's working in. It is the Palmesrton North Library. When she was done with everything, she let us check our email but it was only Ate who did it because I don't expect any important message from anybody. Just then, we saw that Kuya Stephen has a message to her. Ate said, she hasn't replied yet to it so we told her to scribble anything so that we'll make use some of the remaining time. However, ate refused because she said she wants to do it when she's alone. Then we laughed. Ate Gina started to type in some words to greet Kuya Stephen and then put in there that we are at SM Mall of Asia. When we no longer have anything to send email to anybody, we decided to stroll around. The next shop that we got into was Bench. Ate Gina told us to get anything we like because she'll be giving it as her gift this coming Christmas. I picked one and it's a perfume. RED Series Edition is the name. I find it friendly to the nose because there's like only a few content of the ethyl alcohol and the scent is somewhat unique. It's a bit costly though but Ate Gina didn't mind it anyway.
Afterwards, we decided to eat at KFC. Ate Gina ordered a bucket meal for us. What I like in KFC is the coleslaw and I keep coming back there because of it. Just like in UST, whenever we eat chicken at KFC inside UST, I also order coleslaw. That is when I'm not in a tight budget. The drinks were also upsized so we had tumblers. It's Happy Feet. I forgot to get my tumbler from Joseph so I didn't have a souvenir when we ate with Ate Gina.
Our day in SM Mall of Asia was about to end after eating but before we left the place, we had photos of ourselves inside the mall. We had it infront of the giant Christmas tree. I forgot that I was wearing a red polo shirt that time so maybe the color of my shirt blended with the background..haha. I'll post it here when we already get the copy from Ate Gina. There were also shots taken from different parts of the mall and what Ate Gina wanted to have a shot of was the globe outside but it can't be seen when captured in the digicam because it's already night although the globe has light which changes from different colors like blue, green, red, yellow and violet.
Just then, we decided to go home to San Andres because they will be leaving for Luna, La Union later that night. We were supposed to ride in a taxi cab again but the drivers refuse to take us because there can't be five passengers in a cab so we decided to take the FX. The four of us, Ate Gina, Ate, Joseph and I were seated at the back and Kuya Joy was at the middle seat. It took about 20 minutes before the FX left because the seats should be complete with passengers first. That time, I was feeling like about to urinate but I just controlled it because the mall is too far and at any time a passenger may come to complete the seats so the FX may go. When the FX was already running at great speed and we were in the middle of Roxas Boulevard, I was feeling sick already because I was just controlling my pee. They said use my mind to control it like mind over matter but I felt like my bladder was gonna explode. I really don't want to be placed in that situation because I don't know what I'm gonna do. They were making fun of me like telling me to just pee in the tumblers that we got at KFC. I also laughed but the more I moved my body the more I was feeling that it's gonna come out so I just concentrated. When we were in Quirino Ave. I already gave up. When the FX was at a stop and we were infront of a gas station, I opened the backdoor of the car and rushed to the public toilet. I didn't think of anything that time other than myself getting rid of that really bad situation.
After I've released it out of my system, I went back to the road and then expected to see that they were already gone. I decided that time to just take a cab because I was new in that place. All I knew is that it's the intersection of Qurino Ave. and Taft Ave. I also saw the LRT station in Quirino. I wanted to get to Radium street that time immediately because I didn't want them to worry about me so I didn't take the option of riding a jeepney along Taft which was the only route that I knew how to get there. Without thinking about anything, I just crossed Taft Ave. then I saw the street name plate with San Andres in it so I thought maybe if I just go straight ahead I'll get to where I'm supposed to go. I also saw some pedicabs so I asked one of the drivers if Dagonoy market is just near. A couple of drivers instructed me to take a jeepney in the street that one of them was pointing then I'll just alight at 7 11 in Onyx. I immediately rode into the jeep that first passed by me. In just less than 15 minutes, I reached the place where I'm familiar already so I just walk briskly to Radium street. When I was finally at Auntie Marlyn's house, I was relieved. It was my first time to see Auntie Marlyn so I paid due respect. They said I was fast because it was only a few minutes after they've arrived when I got there too.
Unlike when my Ate and I first arrived there in the afternoon, the house was already full of people. The whole Doroteo family was already there except for Uncle Benjie. They were waiting for us to arrive so that we'll have dinner all at the same time but Ate Gina told them that we are already done so they decided to eat. While Ate Gina, Joseph and Kuya Joy were packing their things, Ate and I were just watching TV in the sala. I wasn't able to talk to my third degree cousins but I understand. Of the four brothers, I had once become a company of Benson when we were in Rimos 1. The three of us --Joseph, Benson and I were buddies that time. Bryan, the eldest is also a Thomasian. He's currently a freshman taking up Journalism. The two younger brothers are Benjo and Benedict. When Uncle Benjie came to the scene, I also showed respect.
It was not too long when they were all packed up. They put all their baggages in the van and then made themselves get ready to leave. It was my first time to ride in their van. Ate has already ridden in it I guess twice already when they went to the province. I also remembered that it's the same van that Tatang used to ride when they go to La Union. The destination then was at the Fariñas bus station along Lacson. I know it because it's near our school. The trip wasn't that long because it's just near so when we reached it, they all said their goodbyes. I got a hug from Ate Gina and a goodbye from Jasmin. I wished them all a happy trip. As for Ate and I, we explained to Auntie Marlyn that our way going home is in España so they let us ride in their van again. While in the van, Auntie Marlyn was talking to us about stuff and I must say that it's a good way to have no dead air..hehe. When we reached the corner of España and Lacson, we said our thank you and goodbye to Auntie Marlyn and Uncle Benjie.
From there, we rode a jeepney going to Cubao. Then another one going to SSS Vill. It's already past 11pm when reached our house.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Proud to be a Filipino
I'm back again. It's a Sunday. It's a great day to relax after a tiring week. My sister woke me up early this morning for the reason that we supposedly be going to San Andres Bukid, Manila to see Ate Gina there who has just arrived from New Zealand yesterday. I decided not to go for some personal reasons and one of them I should say is that I have to wash my clothes so that I would lessen the things that I have to do like to review my notes for the quizzes this coming week. I should say I wasted half of my day in doing non sense things but I did get away from procrastinating after I've eaten my lunch.
I turned on the computer and launched the TVR at around 2:30pm in our clock to watch the long-time awaited third match of Pacquiao and Morales. I wasn't that much excited to see the match although i really am interested to see it because I already received a spoiler from my classmate that Pacquiao's going to win by a knock-out on the fifth round. I still want to experience the feeling of solidarity as a Filipino takes home pride and honor to his homeland. I wasn't able to catch the beginning of the main event when Sarah Geronimo sang the Philippine national anthem and it's a bit disappointing but I immediately thought that it can be downloaded in you tube anyways. While watching the match, I really am proud of how Pacquiao threw his blows on to Morales because it indeed is highly destructive to his opponent. Truly it was, because right in the second round, Morales was knocked down due to the strong blow of Pacquiao close to his ear which the commentator said is very damaging because it has something to do with the balance. In the earlier part of the third round, Morales was again down on his butt, one more then he would be out of the limelight of his career. Destiny has been good for Pacquiao for he has taken all the energy in the third round. Right before the round ended, Morales was down for the third and the last time. I then realized that the spoiler was wrong because it wasn't on the fifth but on the third round. It was really sad to Morales' part but he has to accept that he has finally reached the turning point of his career in boxing. To Pacquiao, good job! Filipinos are truly proud of you. Mabuhay ang Pilipino!!!
*****
Another thing that I was anticipating this night was the performance night of The Philippine Idol. It was a good timing because the show has just started when I scanned the channel to 5. I didn't know who the guest judge was going to be. I was surprised to see that it was Lea Salonga. I've already read from the forums of peyups that the idols are soon be doing some sort of a theatrical performance and it was during this night. Lea is the best guest judge for this theme of the performance night of course because of her experiences as Miss Saigon. This night, the idols were good although it didn't worked for Miguel, I should say. Lea is really good in judging though she said that she has never done that before. She said everything that she saw in the performance of the idols and she didn't care about how the fans would react. I really am amazed in Lea's judging because she is that good and I hope that she'll be given the chance to be back there again. Tomorrow, Lea will be doing a number and I'm looking forward to it. If I would be asked, my choices of idols to be included in the final three are Mau, Gian and Pow. I should say, this night, Mau did nail her performance.
Oh well, right now, I'm watching Pinoy meets World. It's late again. Be back next time..
I turned on the computer and launched the TVR at around 2:30pm in our clock to watch the long-time awaited third match of Pacquiao and Morales. I wasn't that much excited to see the match although i really am interested to see it because I already received a spoiler from my classmate that Pacquiao's going to win by a knock-out on the fifth round. I still want to experience the feeling of solidarity as a Filipino takes home pride and honor to his homeland. I wasn't able to catch the beginning of the main event when Sarah Geronimo sang the Philippine national anthem and it's a bit disappointing but I immediately thought that it can be downloaded in you tube anyways. While watching the match, I really am proud of how Pacquiao threw his blows on to Morales because it indeed is highly destructive to his opponent. Truly it was, because right in the second round, Morales was knocked down due to the strong blow of Pacquiao close to his ear which the commentator said is very damaging because it has something to do with the balance. In the earlier part of the third round, Morales was again down on his butt, one more then he would be out of the limelight of his career. Destiny has been good for Pacquiao for he has taken all the energy in the third round. Right before the round ended, Morales was down for the third and the last time. I then realized that the spoiler was wrong because it wasn't on the fifth but on the third round. It was really sad to Morales' part but he has to accept that he has finally reached the turning point of his career in boxing. To Pacquiao, good job! Filipinos are truly proud of you. Mabuhay ang Pilipino!!!
Another thing that I was anticipating this night was the performance night of The Philippine Idol. It was a good timing because the show has just started when I scanned the channel to 5. I didn't know who the guest judge was going to be. I was surprised to see that it was Lea Salonga. I've already read from the forums of peyups that the idols are soon be doing some sort of a theatrical performance and it was during this night. Lea is the best guest judge for this theme of the performance night of course because of her experiences as Miss Saigon. This night, the idols were good although it didn't worked for Miguel, I should say. Lea is really good in judging though she said that she has never done that before. She said everything that she saw in the performance of the idols and she didn't care about how the fans would react. I really am amazed in Lea's judging because she is that good and I hope that she'll be given the chance to be back there again. Tomorrow, Lea will be doing a number and I'm looking forward to it. If I would be asked, my choices of idols to be included in the final three are Mau, Gian and Pow. I should say, this night, Mau did nail her performance.
Oh well, right now, I'm watching Pinoy meets World. It's late again. Be back next time..
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