They say that in life one has to choose his/her friends well. Well, in my 20 years of existence, and say, 15 years out of that, I was lucky. Not only did I choose my friends well, but with God’s help of course, I was able to choose them wisely.
I have the greatest sets of friends. All of which reflect my personality, my ideal personality at some point, or a complete opposite of myself even. They make me smile every time I’m down or simply not in the mood. They are there to listen to my zany stories, as I would also listen to theirs. I share with them the high highs and low lows of my life. And I will always be grateful for that.
Realistically though, a smooth sailing trip with friends isn’t always possible. C’mon, there are many instances when I want to choke a friend or pull her hair out. Friends aren’t perfect. Admittedly, they would get on my nerves, as I would on theirs.
Pakikisama. That magic word for friendships. Even if I practically grew up with my friends, or spend every school day with them, or I see them at their worst behavior, I practice pakikisama. I have no problem with this, since I observe the golden rule, “Do unto others what you want other’s to do unto you.” But what if they say a very offending word, without realizing it? Makikisama ka pa ba? Obviously, not.
Wish I’m practicing what I’m preaching. Hanggang saan nga ba ang pakikisama ni Tets?
I am the “Taray Queen” of our batch. But with friends, I am never this persona. I can tolerate even the most obscure behavior. And I cannot understand this side of myself until now. Of course there are limits to this, only if I am really really really really fed up, to the point that I’m on the verge of exploding, would I react negatively. And don’t expect me to be courteous of course.
This I can say for myself. I am a good friend. And one characteristic I’ve acquired while growing up is being observant. Lastly, I have a really good memory. I take each criticism from friends, even hurtful words, or say, unacknowledged misdoings silently. Friends do not easily offend me because I love them. I have the longest patience for each of them. But I always remember each and every single act—good and BAD. If they may take this against me, then go ahead. If this may serve as a warning, then heed my call.
Nakisama ako, nakikisama at makikisama ng walang hinihiling na kapalit. But please don’t abuse your license of friendship with me. Let’s spare each other from future pains of the heart. Please?
Saturday, August 6, 2005
Friday, July 8, 2005
Hopeless Romantic
As I listened to MYMP’s version of “Kailan” originally done by former Smokey Mountain, I typed in my favorite poem whose author remained unknown to me until this very moment.
I was just a lucky girl browsing through someone else’s Friendster homepage when lo and behold I bumped into this poetry. Beautiful, hopeful and positive. Warning: Not for the faint hearted. hehe..
Where are you?
The daily search of my life
The only one who I will give my heart to
The one I have been looking for, and always will until that day comes
The day when I find you
You are…unexplainable, unpredictable, unimaginable
How I await to know you
Know your name, know who you are
For I pray the day come soon
The day I discover you
The day when all the search is over
And I know you are the “one”
How I long for this day
Wanting it, to keep me from the tears at night
Save me the pain inside, of loving anyone but you
Keep me from the desires of the world
In my prayers will you remain
Praying for you, whoever you may be
And will continue to until the day you are found
Asking the God of my soul to watch over you all the days of your life
Never giving up, I have faith, I will find you
God will send you to me, so the search will go on, until you my love, is finally discovered.
PS: No more comments from me…moving on c”,)
I was just a lucky girl browsing through someone else’s Friendster homepage when lo and behold I bumped into this poetry. Beautiful, hopeful and positive. Warning: Not for the faint hearted. hehe..
Where are you?
The daily search of my life
The only one who I will give my heart to
The one I have been looking for, and always will until that day comes
The day when I find you
You are…unexplainable, unpredictable, unimaginable
How I await to know you
Know your name, know who you are
For I pray the day come soon
The day I discover you
The day when all the search is over
And I know you are the “one”
How I long for this day
Wanting it, to keep me from the tears at night
Save me the pain inside, of loving anyone but you
Keep me from the desires of the world
In my prayers will you remain
Praying for you, whoever you may be
And will continue to until the day you are found
Asking the God of my soul to watch over you all the days of your life
Never giving up, I have faith, I will find you
God will send you to me, so the search will go on, until you my love, is finally discovered.
PS: No more comments from me…moving on c”,)
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Haughty UP?!
“I think, therefore I am from UP.”
Those were the brave words written on my newly bought shirt. It’ll be a good memorabilia from the school I am about to leave in a year or so. Somehow, I summoned the courage to buy, and gathering still, more courage to wear it loud and proud.
Actually, this shirt is the most modest UP shirts on sale that day. Have I wanted more attention, I could have bought the more spirited designed shirts like:
“UP ako, ikaw?”
“OO, taga UP ako. Ikaw?”
If you have visited the parking lot of the Office of the University Registrar already, you should know what I’m talking about. If not, well…you can only imagine what’s written on those shirts.
On the day I first stepped foot on UP grounds, I already felt the scholarly spirit. From the freshmen orientation, they taught me to be proud of myself, because I am in the only school in the Philippines, and that is no less than the “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.” As I would later find out, there are only two schools in the Philippines, UP and others. And in my three years, I have endlessly heard my professors tell the whole class that we are among the best students in the country.
“Did you get it class? You should get it co’z you’re in UP for God’s sake! Otherwise you should transfer to another school, somewhere in Vitocruz!”
I’m sure you’ve heard some campus jokes already, and yes, they have been retold so many times by different professors-- especially about the school somewhere along Vitocruz. Heard it so many times, and in certain instances, I remembered laughing along too.
“You should be proud because you are the few students who passed UPCAT.”
***
THUG!!!
I came from Vitocruz. Three years ago, I was just a “kolehiyala,” clad in my uniform, wearing make-up, and walking along Vitocruz. Not anymore.
"Iska" ako ngayon dahil pinili kong maging “iska”.
Isa nga akong “iskolar ng bayan” ngayon, dahil ipinasa ko ang pagsusulit ng prestihiyosong unibersidad ng bansa.
I am a transferee who got in UP by answering an essay question. Easy? You wish!
***
Does being a transferee makes me less smart than the rest of the UP population?
Or does transferring to UP make me smarter than the classmates I left behind?
Why did I transfer then? Two things: Economical and academical reasons. Not an issue of whose smarter or any of the likes.
I transferred because like any other middle class family in this country, I could no longer afford the 4OK something tuition of my “kolehiyala” education.
I transferred because I am fulfilling my father’s dream of sending his children to UP.
I transferred because according to my relatives, UP is UP.
And they are right. I am indeed enjoying my university life. I am enjoying a certain freedom I never experienced in my former school. And like the rest of UP students, I am enduring the pressure that comes with being a UP student—great expectations from bright minds.
But then again, I wonder, does making fun of other schools and labeling the students in it make UP students smarter than the rest?
Of course not.
So why are the brightest minds of the country enjoy this triviality?
***
During an interview with my boss for my internship, he asked me, “Do you think UP is overrated?” Not contended with that question, he also asked this, “Do you believe that there are also dumb students in UP?”
My answer is a simple no. No, I do not think that UP is overrated because UP graduates are indeed brilliant people. UP students meet your expectations and in some cases, exceed it.
Secondly, I do not believe that there are dumb students in UP, or in any other school for that matter. There are no dumb students, only lazy ones. Being in UP does not exempt one from occasional procrastinations. I should know, I have had my share of this and have witnessed my classmates and friends went through this as well.
***
Like any other school, UP has its shortcomings as well, say a faulty enrollment system, or limited resources, or lazy ass know-it-all professors even. And this is exactly what life is; each has its own assets and liabilities.
I am proud to be an “iska,” like I am proud to be a “kulasa” then.
There are many undiscovered minds in the country that may not be in UP, but they are not less of who and what they are.
I have no problems with wearing my school name loud and proud as they say.
But I quote one of the most admired professors of my department on the t-shirt issue, “Why make such a BIG deal out of it?”
This is not a college sports fest nor is it a fancy tournament on who is better than who.
But I see a problem common to all schools, TOO MUCH school spirit.
You see, I think that the bright minds work in silence. Really.
Those were the brave words written on my newly bought shirt. It’ll be a good memorabilia from the school I am about to leave in a year or so. Somehow, I summoned the courage to buy, and gathering still, more courage to wear it loud and proud.
Actually, this shirt is the most modest UP shirts on sale that day. Have I wanted more attention, I could have bought the more spirited designed shirts like:
“UP ako, ikaw?”
“OO, taga UP ako. Ikaw?”
If you have visited the parking lot of the Office of the University Registrar already, you should know what I’m talking about. If not, well…you can only imagine what’s written on those shirts.
On the day I first stepped foot on UP grounds, I already felt the scholarly spirit. From the freshmen orientation, they taught me to be proud of myself, because I am in the only school in the Philippines, and that is no less than the “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.” As I would later find out, there are only two schools in the Philippines, UP and others. And in my three years, I have endlessly heard my professors tell the whole class that we are among the best students in the country.
“Did you get it class? You should get it co’z you’re in UP for God’s sake! Otherwise you should transfer to another school, somewhere in Vitocruz!”
I’m sure you’ve heard some campus jokes already, and yes, they have been retold so many times by different professors-- especially about the school somewhere along Vitocruz. Heard it so many times, and in certain instances, I remembered laughing along too.
“You should be proud because you are the few students who passed UPCAT.”
***
THUG!!!
I came from Vitocruz. Three years ago, I was just a “kolehiyala,” clad in my uniform, wearing make-up, and walking along Vitocruz. Not anymore.
"Iska" ako ngayon dahil pinili kong maging “iska”.
Isa nga akong “iskolar ng bayan” ngayon, dahil ipinasa ko ang pagsusulit ng prestihiyosong unibersidad ng bansa.
I am a transferee who got in UP by answering an essay question. Easy? You wish!
***
Does being a transferee makes me less smart than the rest of the UP population?
Or does transferring to UP make me smarter than the classmates I left behind?
Why did I transfer then? Two things: Economical and academical reasons. Not an issue of whose smarter or any of the likes.
I transferred because like any other middle class family in this country, I could no longer afford the 4OK something tuition of my “kolehiyala” education.
I transferred because I am fulfilling my father’s dream of sending his children to UP.
I transferred because according to my relatives, UP is UP.
And they are right. I am indeed enjoying my university life. I am enjoying a certain freedom I never experienced in my former school. And like the rest of UP students, I am enduring the pressure that comes with being a UP student—great expectations from bright minds.
But then again, I wonder, does making fun of other schools and labeling the students in it make UP students smarter than the rest?
Of course not.
So why are the brightest minds of the country enjoy this triviality?
***
During an interview with my boss for my internship, he asked me, “Do you think UP is overrated?” Not contended with that question, he also asked this, “Do you believe that there are also dumb students in UP?”
My answer is a simple no. No, I do not think that UP is overrated because UP graduates are indeed brilliant people. UP students meet your expectations and in some cases, exceed it.
Secondly, I do not believe that there are dumb students in UP, or in any other school for that matter. There are no dumb students, only lazy ones. Being in UP does not exempt one from occasional procrastinations. I should know, I have had my share of this and have witnessed my classmates and friends went through this as well.
***
Like any other school, UP has its shortcomings as well, say a faulty enrollment system, or limited resources, or lazy ass know-it-all professors even. And this is exactly what life is; each has its own assets and liabilities.
I am proud to be an “iska,” like I am proud to be a “kulasa” then.
There are many undiscovered minds in the country that may not be in UP, but they are not less of who and what they are.
I have no problems with wearing my school name loud and proud as they say.
But I quote one of the most admired professors of my department on the t-shirt issue, “Why make such a BIG deal out of it?”
This is not a college sports fest nor is it a fancy tournament on who is better than who.
But I see a problem common to all schools, TOO MUCH school spirit.
You see, I think that the bright minds work in silence. Really.
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