Strange Past

It will be always really awkward whenever you bumped to a person who used to be your lover. It's been five years. Both of you were young when you first met. It was high school. It all started with a simple tease by your classmates.

Then, the rest was history.

Ironically, you seemed to be uncomfortable with her despite the fact that you didn't have any forms of communications for the past five years. The approach was cold. Very cold. It is as if you don't know her. Apparently she doesn't know you either.

And the cycle of life goes on and on. Both of you started as strangers. Soon, you become friends. Then, the relationship blossomed and both you entered a romantic relationship. Everything went well until something messed up. Both of you fought constantly.

It was a bitter ending.

Five years had passed and once again both of act as if you don't know each other. It was pretty obvious. Both of you can't move on.

Can't move on.

Can't fucking move on.

Of First Days

Everyone seems excited about their first day at school tomorrow. You know, I always look forward for that specific day. It is the day when I can finally meet my friends and classmates. It is the day when I can meet new set of professors/instructors. And the most important thing is, it is the day when I can finally meet and stalk my crush… again.

Just kidding!

I remember when I was younger, my parents will buy me new school stuff - shoes, uniform, Cattleya notebooks (I despise Jolina-Marvin notebooks), socks and etc. Everything seems to be in order during the first day, but as the school year progresses, everything will be different. Pens get lost and uniforms lose their buttons.

But today, at the current state of my life, everything’s different. I won’t deny that I still can’t get over from the fact that I am already a college graduate. I won’t deny that I miss school, especially college. I may not have the opportunity to become a student again (aka med school), but hey, maybe I wasn’t meant for it. I always welcome every opportunities that may come in my life.

Well, I have already embarked into a brand new adventure. As the cliche goes, life goes on. We have to move on.

And always remember kids, value your education.

Summer Madness

So far, Summer 2011 has been the most exciting summer breaks that I've ever experienced. Usually, I spend my summer breaks at home, surfing the net all day, all night. It's an exasperating activity, I tell you. More so, I'm this type of person who really wants to explore different places and witness their different cultures and heritage.

I always crave for an adventure.

This summer, I had the chance to visit various places from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

1) Zamboanga City, Philippines

Located on a peninsula at the western part of Mindanao, Zamboanga City enjoys a calm climate since it is located outside the typhoon belt. Over the years, the city has become a melting pot of different cultures due to its geographical region. The city is relatively small compared to other major cities of the country but I guarantee that every traveler will enjoy his stay at the Asia's Latin City. Chavacano is widely spoken in this city followed by Visayan.

Places to visit: Visit Paseo del Mar. There's a LOT of food here, countless restobars and so much more. I recommend visiting this place during sunset. This is a perfect place for both young and old people. It has one of the best sunset views in the country. If you want to experience Zamboanga's Hispanic history, visit Fort Pilar, located just beside Paseo del Mar (Calle Valderoza). Pasonanca Park and Aviary is also a great place to hang-out with your friends and family!

2) Guimaras Island, Philippines

Located approximately 5 kilometers off Iloilo Port, Guimaras is an island filled with vast plantations of mango trees (their mangoes are very delicious) and pristine white sand beaches. We got the chance to visit the underwater caves and the pawikan sanctuary (I even had the chance to hold them... and they were heavy). The island hopping costs around 500-600 pesos per hour. It's quite expensive but the trips were all worth it. Don't forget to say, "Namit gid!" whenever you eat their mangoes!

3) Angeles City, Pampanga (Fontana Leisure Park)

This trip was sponsored by VYLH (Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health). I, together with my co-delegates from Luzon, NCR, Visayas and Mindanao clusters attended the first national leadership congress at Fontana Leisure Park, Angeles City, Pampanga. The place was really big and beautiful. We stayed in a one-story villa and I must say that the villa caters the needs of a traveler. It has one TV with cable connection, a centralized air-condition unit, and it comes with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (with hot and cold shower). Although most of us didn't like the food, except on the last day of the congress. More so, some of the waiters were a bit clumsy. But overall, the services were not that bad and the place is fabulous! 3.5/5 stars!

Harder than I thought

April 27 is fast approaching and I am so nervous about it. WVSU will release the list of qualified students for its medicine program on that date. According to the forum I’ve read from the university’s official website, only 70 will be admitted from the first batch out of 200. I believe I did well in the interview last April 13 and my GWA is higher than the required GWA as well as my NMAT grade. But who knows, right? Anything can happen. But I am still hoping that I’ll make it to the list.

Because if not (OMG), well I have no choice but to find a decent job. I only applied for UPCM and WVSU because aside from the quality education that I will get and its competitiveness, the tuition fee is cheaper compared to other medical schools. And since I didn’t make it to the initial cut-off NMAT grade at UPCM, WVSU became my one and only hope. My family simply can’t afford UST, AdMU, St. Lukes or even here at Davao Medical School Foundation, where tuition fee per semester ranges from Php 80-100,000.

I don’t have any fall back if ever I won’t make it to WVSU. I forgot to take the preliminary exam of CAAP, a requirement when applying for the position of Air Traffic Controller (yes, my uncle’s a senior ATC, naki-avail lang sa connection) here in Davao (or any major airports in the country). Training will be held at Pasay City (near NAIA) for 8 months. Moreover, I’m currently browsing JobStreet and it seems that all of my dream jobs require a certain amount of work experience. Cebu Pacific’s currently hiring flight attendants living in Southern Mindanao region. Unforunately, they are only looking for female flight crew members. Sad feys.

So yeah, if all else fails, I’ll try applying to other med schools here in Mindanao like in Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan or MSU. Come what may. One thing is sure: I am not ready to face the real world yet.

Hay naku, magaartista nalang ako. Medyo cute naman ako eh. Shetlang.

Think positive.

The Finish Line

Four years ago, I was really happy when I learned that I passed UPCAT. I didn't expect it, knowing that I didn't finish the English and Math subtests. I didn't have any second thoughts of pursuing my UP dream. My parents were all supportive with my plans, well actually, they are the ones who convinced me to study at UP because it's one of the country's prestigious universities. Add the fact that the Mindanao campus is just 15 minutes away from my home, ergo making my UP dream possible since my parents can't afford my college education in Manila (specifically UP Diliman).

I was really surprised when I first entered UP Min. Aside from the fact that we were outnumbered by goats, wild chickens and carabaos, UPMin's a thousand miles away from downtown. Travel time to the nearest mall (SM City Davao) is around 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the traffic along McArthur Highway. Good thing was, my blocmates were friendly thus I didn't feel lonely during the first few weeks of being a freshman student.

The succeeding semesters weren't easy.

Oblation of UP Mindanao. Photo courtesy of Sam Sanchez.

I had the chance to travel to different places in Mindanao with my classmates. I got the opportunity to see the beauty of mother nature. I experienced flunking one subject (Biochemistry) and repeating it the following semester due to my indolence. I was also on the brink of not graduating on time due to conflicts with my thesis adviser. But all of these experiences made me a better and stronger person. Back in high school, I was always on the top. Everything had changed in college. I was no longer on top of the class, but I learned a LOT of things not just from the academic aspect.

UP made me realize that honor and excellence is not defined by just getting high scores in exams and eventually graduate as cum laude (or better yet, magna/summa cum laude). Honor and Excellence is rather defined as how you, as an Iskolar ng Bayan, will serve the country base from what you have learned from the university, be in the field of Mathematics, Biology, Communication Arts, Political Science and etc. UP had also taught me on how to become a selfless and a sensitive person. It is not a good idea to celebrate from passing a difficult subject or complain that you only got 1.25 instead of 1.00 whilst your classmates have a hard time of getting at least a passing grade of 3.00. The university had also taught me on how to serve the people. I may not be the type of person who joins some of the university's demonstrations or rallies but one thing is certain: I will serve my country, in any possible way and help those people who are in need.

Some people may criticize that I am ONLY from UP Mindanao. Well, I will tell some things about UP Min. We may not have a 'true' ikot jeeps but we do have habal-habal or princess rides. HH or princess rides are way cooler than ikot rides, I tell you. We may not have Mang Larry's isaw but we do have Ate Malou and Burger Machine's buy one take one burger. We may not have Zorro but we do have our very own Sandara aka Maria Cristina Bacareza. We may not have multiple dormitories inside the university but we do have Silva, Chong's and Rubia. And don't forget Ma'am Silva's famous line, "Ichacharge kita!". We may not have a jogging lane but we do have abortion roads... lots and lots of networks of abortion roads! Truly, every UP campus holds a unique culture. Inspite of the cultural differences, we uphold the same principles not just for ourselves but for our country as well.

I will definitely miss UPMin. I will miss those good old days with my classmates. I will surely miss those days when I was still writing my manuscript and had a 'walay klaro' arguments with my thesis adviser. I will definitely miss those epic fail moments with my classmates and professors. I will miss those days when we were still practicing for our cheerdance on wee hours of the morning and sleep inside the Wildlife Laboratory. I will miss those videoke-slash-drinking sessions with my friends. I will miss those days when we were cramming for our lab reports and pass it in the middle of night. I will miss those days when we got stranded inside the CSM because the creek had just overflowed (the road wasn't paved until the first quarter of 2010).

To my professors, mentors, TORMENTORS, friends and classmates, thank you. Studying at UP Mindanao was one of the best experiences of my life.

And now I'm going to open the new chapter of my life and embark on a new adventure.

A Letter For You

Hello!

It’s been a long time since the last time we’ve met. How are you? I hope you’re doing fine. I just moved from Singapore to Darwin, Australia a few months ago. People here are warmhearted, so I don’t feel home sick. How’s Davao? I’m pretty sure that it is still green, still the same since I left my beloved hometown several years back.

You know what? I really miss you so much. I keep on reminiscing those sweet memories we have back in college. I can still remember the time when we first met. I was in bad mood that time. You know what our university has to offer during enrollment period. Students have to wait for their turn forever. I was losing my patience that time until I saw you. Those eyes… those pretty and expressive eyes. But I did not pay attention that much. You smiled to me but I did not smile back.

It was during the school’s annual sports event when I first heard your sweet voice. You were asking if I were a player. I was caught off guard. Of all people in the field, you chose me to ask some questions. I wasn’t even the committee head of that sports event! I was really intrigued.

As days go by, we keep on seeing in other, well, unintentionally. I was eating my lunch alone, as usual, in the university cafeteria. You came and we ate lunch together. We talk a lot of things and crack some jokes. Ah, you really have the sweetest laughter. Do you still remember when we broke the university’s rule by going to the building’s roof deck? It was such an amazing (and funny) experience. We almost got caught and apprehended by the guards.

Months have passed and I realized that I wanted to see you more often. There are days that I don’t meet you due to our indefinite schedules, but hey, it may sound cheesy but… you make my day complete, all the time.

After all these days of being with you, I just thought that I’m falling for you, but the thing is, I don’t have the courage to profess my love. I don’t know, maybe I wasn’t ready for this or what, but I think I just wasted every opportunities that came. But then again, I just keep on telling myself that “this is not the right time, maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.”

Months before my college graduation, our batch committee decided to throw a formal party. I thought that this was the perfect opportunity, but I did not muster enough courage to invite you as my date. So, I sent you a text message. You told me that you should invite me personally. So I did it. After the party, I made a confession. You gave me an answer, but not the much-anticipated one.

It was a no.

You told me that you were already taken months after your 18th birthday. That was a year and a half ago. I was not mad at you for not telling me a part of your life. I respect it, I mean, I don’t have the right to know all personal things about you. I am just a friend, not a police officer or a CIA Agent.

I admit that I got hurt but eventually I moved on. Certain thoughts circulated my mind after that moment:

What if I asked her earlier?
What if I was courageous enough back then?
Is there really a future between the two us?
Will it really work as time goes by?

But I believe all those things happened for the reason. And with that, I am still happy that we remained friends.

Even if you already have a family there, you will always have a special place in my heart. I will never forget you. Ever. You were the first person to leave a mark in my heart. You were my first love… and I will forever cherish those happy moments that we have back in college.

Girl Power: Fight For Democracy

Last week, in our Asian History class, we watched a documentary film entitled “Inside Burma”. The documentary was produced by some independent journalists of Great Britain. It showed the real situation of Myanmar, an oppressive military-ruled country in Southeast Asia. Child labor and slavery is rampant to this country. During the filming of the documentary, the British journalists were highly guarded and even risked their lives.

This is Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced as Awn Sahn Sue Chee), daughter of the the Father of modern-day Burma. She went back home from England in 1988 to take care of her sick mother. Coincidentally, in the same year, the long-time military leader, General Ne Win stepped down. This led the Burmese people to revolt and fight for democracy which resulted to bloodbath last August 8, 1988 (8-8-88 Revolution). On 26 August 1988, she addressed half a million people at a mass rally in front of the Shwedagon Pagoda in the capital, calling for a democratic government. However in September, a new military junta took power. Later the same month, 24 September 1988, the National League for Democracy (NLD) was formed, with Suu Kyi as general secretary.

She was put under house arrest in Burma for almost 15 of the 21 years from July 20, 1989 until her release on 13 November 2010. Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, “Suu Kyi’s struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades. She has become an important symbol in the struggle against oppression.”

“In awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour this woman for her unflagging efforts and to show its support for the many people throughout the world who are striving to attain democracy, human rights and ethnic conciliation by peaceful means.”

Today, Burma (or Myanmar) is still an oppressive military-ruled country. Despite being rich in natural resources such as oil and the availability of foreign investors from United States and France, the country remained poor. The country’s economy is controlled by its military government. According to my professor, the UN can no longer appeal or penetrate to Myanmar’s predicament since it didn’t affect its neighboring countries. Needless to say, attempts of attaning freedom and democracy in this country is futile.

PS: Burma - connotes freedom/ Myanmar - military ruled country, oppression

Of Activism and Leadership

I once asked a freshman student a few months ago about the role of the University Student Council in our university (UP Min). She frankly replied, "Kuya, medyo naiintimidate ako sa USC natin this year eh. Rally ng rally. Minsan, natatakot ako sa kanila."

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against with student activists who keep on rallying either inside the campus or in the busy streets of Downtown Davao about issues in privatization of the state universities, the never-ending budget cut dilemma and the 'ibagsak si (COPY-PASTE NAME OF AN OFFICIAL)' scheme. I respect their ideologies. I used to be a USC Officer (College Representative) last year and I just noticed that they only have one parallel goal, that is to fight for their rights as a student no matter what happens.

I admire their courage. It's not that easy to shout about the current (and dying) situations of our beloved university on the streets. It hurts when no one gives a fuck about what you're fighting (or shouting) for. I've been there. We cannot really invite all people to join the rallies. We cannot force people to join our pakikibaka para sa bayan, tungo sa kaunlaran. And most of all, we cannot really change people's perspectives and ideas about handling social issues.

The problem lies with the way they find solutions about these underlying issues of our country. They try to solve the national quandaries first before the issues inside the campus. I don't know, but there are more issues that need to be resolved inside the campus. Let's face it. No matter how hard we try to shout our concerns in the public, the officials would not really listen to it. Yes, hearing and listening are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. They hear our pleas, but do they give their time to listen, even for just a minute or two?

My point is, if we really want to help our nation, let us start addressing the smallest issues first. How about helping those flood victims in nearby towns? Or, how about proposing some ideas to the administration about promoting solid waste management and rain-water catchment system? Or how about conducting some outreach programs to nearby communities?

I believe that there are OTHER WAYS to SERVE our COUNTRY. It is not necessary to create placards and write national issues to it. It is not necessary to rally in the streets.

But then again, what matters most is respect.