Sailing.

I was answering this quiz from www.candymag.com about who my ideal Candy cutie is and the result:

Match Made in Heaven: The Strapping Jock
Confidence, coordination and athletic prowess—that's what you go for! Basketball court, race track or soccer field—it doesn't really matter as long as he's got the sports smarts and talent to show. These guys like a challenge, like Phil Younghusband, who gravitates towards girls who challenge him as well.

Apparently, I really like jocks.

After the Storm.
So, it's a Saturday, and we just had our event last night. I was in Teatrino the whole day setting the sounds and light, organizing and checking the ticket stubs at the front desk, and being the photographer for Universitas. Yeah, I was practically everywhere, except the backstage. I'm not much of a people person to be coordinating with the artists. There was even a point yesterday when I snapped because of mixed up job assignments. I ended up doing someone else's job, plus mine, and I feel like I'm not being given enough credit for it. And that's the part I mostly hate. But after that, I tried to calm myself down. I won't let that little incident ruin my night.

Oh, and if you have seen a red USB with the Ferrari word on it, tell me. It's Abby's. I sort of forgot about it yesterday 'cause everything was really chaotic and messed up. Sorry, Abby.:(

Braving the Southern Seas.
We're not actually through with schoolwork. I still have Marketing and Theology next week. The only thing that's keeping me alive is Basketball. I'm looking forward to the start of PBA today! Yey! Finally, professional basketball. I missed watching my favorite players, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes who're both from Sta. Lucia Realtors, play. I'm looking forward to Kelly's spectacular slam dunks, Ryan's thrilling steals, and the lot. I know, I know... I'm a Basketball fanatic.

I'm still waiting for A.M. and we can start doing our Marketing report today. I just want school to end. A few more jobs, then I'm done.

Catch me soon.:)

Arrivederci, A.

Fortunate Turns of Events.

At long last, I have finally found the time to make a new entry after almost two weeks. Everything is so crazy with our finals coming up. Luckily for my course, we seldom have written and on the spot final exams. I'm taking up 8 subjects this semester:

Accounting: No final exam needed and we're done with that.
English: Take home exam to be submitted next week.
History: We had our final report about China and that was it. My group got a 1.25. (3.5 is failing)
Arts: Our event/finals is tomorrow. Hope it all goes well.
Marketing: We have our product defense next week. A.M. and I will try to make our presentation better on Saturday.
E.M.P.E.: Our finals in P.E. was a game. We just played frisbee and that was it. We were graded individually so, it was alright even if my team lost. Sucks though.
Theology: OK. So, Theology... yeah. I failed to pass this subject by 3.5 points, so, technically, I have to take the final exam on Friday. So, I have to study, study, and study for this.
Ethics: Like English, we just need to pass our take home exam next week. Very easy.:D

I'm still thinking about what Jeanne told me before. I think I would be more motivated to study harder if I was attending the university I wanted to study in. But I have decided not to apply to Ateneo anymore. As much as I love Ateneo, I have gotten myself involved in this crazy jungle of Entrepreneurial Management and I figured I should finish this. And I've learned to love the people I'm with and the adventures we get ourselves into everyday.

And besides, there's always Ateneo Law School or Ateneo Graduate School of Business.:)
But I'm short of 6 units in English for Ateneo Law School. I still have to work on that.

It's Tiu's Day. It's Tiu's Year.
I failed to update you about the super fun things that happened this past week. I'm sure you've all heard about The Ateneo Blue Eagles being the Champions this season. They won against De La Salle, 62 - 51. It's not really the score I'm expecting during a very crucial championship game two, especially to De La Salle even if an important key player was ejected from the game and the other one got fouled out. I expected De La Salle to get back in their game and fight for their teammate to show the Blue Eagles that it's not over even with Maierhofer and Casio gone. But, Ateneo is too strong and obviously, smarter than them.


Chris Tiu put an end to his college basketball career bagging 16 points last September 25. I think everyone who's rooting for Team Blue is really happy for Chris, because finally, he had won his first and only championship for Ateneo, and on his last year too. Even I'm happy for him and for Ateneo. I've been waiting six years for a championship. Hope another stripe comes next year.

Being there in the Araneta Coliseum and witnessing as Ateneo history unfolds itself right before me felt really awesome. It's definitely one of a kind. The intensity that the crowd was exuding was really incredible. You can feel the Ateneo community's solidarity as they cheer "Go Ateneo! One Big Fight!" and as they raise these posters saying "Champions!" altogether like they were choreographed.

I didn't go to school that day for the game, and as I was waiting patiently inside the Araneta Coliseum, guarding seats for my father and my younger brother, Gab, I found out that I needed to take the final exam for Theology. Bummer, but that didn't stop me from celebrating at the end of the day. I also felt bad for neglecting my duties in Arts. I was supposed to have this room-to-room promotion for our event with my groupmates, Jeanne and Cam, but I put basketball first that day. Fortunately, for me, something happened.:D

Rumors. Flops. I Hate It.
Ateneo won. Period. I've been hearing and reading rumors that everything was biased and that Ateneo's championship was a hoax, that referees were all in favor of Ateneo because they were hired by former Blue Eagles, members of the winning team have been seen trash talking and taunting but were not penalized, and many more. I really don't get people. Can't Ateneo have their victory in peace? Can't you see that they are, apparently, the strongest team in the league? Have you seen their statistics? They beat De La Salle thrice, and I really didn't expect them to lose to their archrivals. Sure, the Green Archers are a good team, but Ateneo is better.

I even read an article about Rabeh Al-Hussaini, this season's MVP, that he eyed De La Salle when he was a kid but didn't get in because of poor grades. Years later, he was donning a Blue and White jersey and is now the league's best player. I mean, come on! So what if he used to have low grades? People can change for the better. Who knows? He might be improving academically.

People just don't know where to stand, so they create such rumors to make a winning team look like a they won because of dirty manipulation.

Ateneo is better than that. They don't do such things to get fame. They work hard for it and that's exactly what they did. Put it to rest, guys. Ateneo won. Period.

The Party Must Go On.


September 30, Tiu'sday, the end of Rabeh-dan was the Ateneo Bonfire. Hahaha. It was super muddy, chaotic, tiring, but absolutely, all worth it. Bands like Chicosci, Kjwan, Parokya ni Edgar, and Spongecola performed. Ateneo alumni were there, people from different schools and universities were there too. It didn't matter to the Ateneo community if they were swimming in mud, the party must go on.

There were 4 Champion teams that were introduced that night. The Women's Swimming Team, The AGS SBP Team (headed by an acquaintance, Coach PJ), The AHS Blue Eaglets, and of course, The Ateneo Blue Eagles. Congratulations to everyone!

I really had a great time! It was my first Ateneo bonfire and I'm looking forward to more the following years. Hopefully, it won't rain na that time.;)

Anyhoo, this blog entry is already awfully long. I'll update tomorrow. I promise! We'll be having our Afro-Latin Concert tomorrow in Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills. AZURE: Jive to the Afro-Latin Rhythms. Hope you can drop by. Ciao!

Arriverderci, A.

Adrenaline Rush.

I'm in it for the thrill. I'm in it for the cheers. I'm in it for the crowd. I'm in it for the players. And most of all, I'm in it for the GAME.

Being inside the Big Dome, for me, is like being transported to another world. I forget all about my worries, my cross on my back. Everything seems to disappear except for me, the crowd, and yes, that orange ball.

PBA or UAAP, you name the league 'cause I'm all about the basketball game. I got my favorite basketball teams. I'm all about the green for the PBA and the blue in the UAAP.

Ateneo - De La Salle, Game 1 of the Championships.
My brother, Apa, and I were the only ones that got to watch the game live because our dad is in Cagayan de Oro and we only got two tickets so, our mom and our other brother just stayed at home. Bummer.

Today. WE DID IT AGAIN! Ateneo won over De La Salle by 8 points, 69-61, with Rabeh Al-Hussaini leading the Blue Eagles with 31 points. Wow! Almost half of the score was his. Good job. Both teams have this different kind of confidence when it comes to the Finals. Many fouls were committed, lumalabas na ang mga pikon, but I'd have to say that the Blue Eagles kept their cool.

Just one more game to go. I have faith in my Blue Eagles!

ONE BIG FIGHT!

Arrivederci, A.

Carpe Diem.

I haven't been blogging for about a week now, though I had a gazillion attempts to. This week is filled with school work, plus I got sick, but I'm all better now. Let's rewind back the days and see the interesting things that happened.

September 13.
I got sick. Really, really sick. My temperature went up to 40 degrees. My brother, Apa, got sick too. We just layed in our parents' bed covered with comforters the whole day. I actually lost 5 pounds in 3 days. My dad even joked around saying, "Kawawa naman mga anak ko. Hindi lang manonood ng Ateneo - UE, nagkasakit na."

I think it was partly true.:D

September 14.
We didn't watch Ateneo-UE because we had a family meeting (paternal side) and it's my little cousin's 2nd birthday (maternal side). And for yumping yimminy! Our grandfather got tickets to the game! Since we were sick, Apa and I, didn't get to go to any of the three. We just stayed at home and watched the game via TV. Thank God for TV but SAYANG YUNG TICKETS!!

Yes, and as predicted, Ateneo won. I was actually scared during the first quarter because Ateneo had a very hard time scoring. They actually fell 11-5 during the first few minutes. Jai Reyes was the only one scoring. Then Eric Salamat came in, and that's when Ateneo started catching up until they were already leading by 10 points in the second quarter. Reyes with 13 points and Salamat with 11 really stood up. The bench players like Nico Salva and Ryan Buenafe* contributed a lot during the game, with 5 and 9 points respectively. And we won't forget Nonoy Baclao who produced 12 points and Rabeh Al Hussaini who got 10 points.

And in the end, Ateneo won by 20 points, 70-50. Hehehe.

I'll see you, guys, on Sunday!
___________________________________________________________
*Bacon Austria was used in the starting five instead of Ryan Buenafe.

September 15.
I didn't go to school 'cause I was really weak to even hold a pen. I couldn't even speak when I woke up. My voice was still shaking whenever I would talk. I needed to go to Ateneo at 10:30 A.M. 'cause I was going to meet up with Mav's mom to get the shirts I bought from her. I love her shirts. It's simple, cute, and very creative. It only costs Php 250 and a part of it will go to charity. I bought 2 shirts, both in royal blue (the one of Kirk Long's) for my brother and myself. I fell in love with this shirt when I first saw it in Araneta during the Ateneo-La Salle game but since there were so many people and we were hurrying to go inside the Coliseum, I didn't get the chance to buy. I was hoping to see it in Multiply but I didn't know what to look for. But fortunately, Chris Tiu posted the Multiply site on his blog and I found a way to contact her. Yipee! If you want this shirt, you can visit this account: getbluefever.multiply.com. Mav is also having an auction there for two autographed shirts. The bid starts at Php 1,000 and this is for a good cause. Check it out.:D

September 16.
First day in, I was feeling sick. I was too lazy to do anything. I cut History for the nth time to do Marketing or Accounting, but I ended up resting in Starbucks with A.M. and Ella. I was actually trying to blog, but I didn't get to do that either. I was just looking forward to going home the whole entire day.

September 17.
E.M. Cup day and since I was still feeling a bit sick, I didn't join the mixed volleyball game. I just sat and watched at the officials' table. We also had our All-Star Game today, and Division B won. I was secretly rooting for Division A. Hahaha. They actually had a chance to tie the game, but the last shot wasn't planned enough for it to actually go in the basket. Oh well. That's basketball. I love it.;)

September 18.
I went to the airport to drop my Dad off because he was going to Cagayan de Oro with his friends. I was late for P.E., I was hit by a frisbee right smack in the middle of my nose where my bone-like-lump is, and I was feeling much better today.

Oh, and the most perfect part of all... I GOT TICKETS FOR SUNDAY'S GAME!

Need I say more?:D

and lastly,

September 19.
I'm just waiting for time to fly. I'll go to Ten O2 Resto-Bar in Timog later to plug our event. I need points, baby! Points! Our prof is giving out 20 to go and stay there, and another 15 points to those who will plug it on the mic. I think I'll go there around 10:00 P.M. and it's only 6. Still a long wait.

I'm excited for Sunday's game. My second Ateneo-La Salle game, my third UAAP game, and my sixth live basketball game. Yes, I'm a self-confessed basketball-oholic. I get this different high when I'm watching live. I don't know. It's the game, it's the fans, it's the players. It's everything about it. I love it.:D

"Seize the day, boys! Make your lives extraordinary!" - Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society

Arrivederci, A.

T.G.I.F.

A countdown until I break free from my small prison cell.

1 and a half hour of Accounting.
Another full and a half hour of English.
My self-declared free cut for History (after imposing my once a week History class this month).
10 minutes of deciding whether we should eat lunch and where.
80 minutes of lunch break.
Lastly, 90 minutes of Arts.

And finally, I'm free to enter my sanctuary.

So, I needed to attend Accounting today and English too.

After 3 hours of staring at the wall and letting my mind wander, Nicole and I went to Greenhills to run an errand. Make that Nicole, Camille, Rina, Lawrence, Pao C., Emman, Kevs, Myc, and I. We went to Promenade, ate some Belgian fries (where it led to the conversation that Nikki wanted it short but hard, I wanted it long and hard, and Cam wanted it long but soft... nothing green here. It's just fries.;)), played in the arcade, and went back to school at 12 noon.

That was fun and spontaneous.

For lunch, I ate turon and drank water after practicing our Arts musical skit. We sang, danced, and acted to the tune of When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls.

And finally, I'm free as a bird.

Jeanne went with me to Ateneo to see if I can post our event poster in Moro Lorenzo Gym. We saw 4/16 of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.:p I saw Jai Reyes, Mike Baldos, Bacon Austria and Yuri Escueta. Nothing interesting. Actually, we were waiting for Nica, A.M., and Pie to pick up the posters and... secretly waiting for Nico Salva and Nonoy Baclao (for Jeanne). Hahaha. And ever since we got into my car, all I kept saying was "Sayang! 'Di natin naabutan si Nico!"

Oh, well. Next time.:)

After convincing my feet to finally leave Moro, we went to fetch Apa from training. He hasn't given yet his coach his report card. I so pray to God that he still gets accepted for Mini-Paya 'cause he has a grade of 71 in Math. Great.

We were leaving and our van went to pick us up near the grade school gate, when the car door automatically opened and Japheth jumped out and said "Bye, Apa!"

Yeah. Go figure what happened to me. Hahaha.

We went home afterwards and Jeanne was still with me. We actually had a conversation about me wanting to go to Ateneo... She was actually right when she told me that I might be more motivated to study if I was going to the university I really wanted to attend. My line was "I'm meant to be Atenean... I am Atenean..."

Her driver picked her up here in my house.

She was gone more than an hour ago and I was left inside a cold room with this piece of rectangular technology, two triangles of white Toblerone, and with this longing to attend the university in front of my house.

I think I should go and find myself right now.

Arrivederci, A.

Should Have Been There.

I woke up at around 7:45 am today, went back to sleep, and finally got up at around 8:30 am. I was running late for my E.M.P.E. classes, but I was still in a snail-paced manner this morning. I didn't even bother to look outside my window to see if it was still raining. So, yeah, I took a bath, brushed my teeth, you know the drill... I left my laptop open over night. Good thing it still has batteries. After I was done in my room, I fled to Ultra for P.E. classes, and yes, it was still raining when I arrived. Our professor asked us if we wanted to have classes, and all of us said yes, but in the end, our prof gave us a free cut and we don't need to make-up for it.

From Ultra, Camille, Jen, Jeanne, and I went to Jen's house to change into some decent clothes for school, 'cause we were all in jogging pants and shorts. We still had time to admire the tadpoles and the tiny frogs residing in Jen's abandoned, green-watered pool in their house, and I kind of wanted to stare at their salt-water aquarium for a bit 'cause I miss SCUBA Diving. I haven't been diving for almost 4 years now. Damn.

Anyways, from Jen's house, we went to Camille's to get her clothes, and then went Mark's place to watch Hell Boy II. We didn't get to finish Hell Boy, 'cause we needed to be in school at 12 noon for Jen and Jeanne's Arts 2 meeting.

I was out in the rain most of the time today and yesterday aiming to get sick, but unfortunately, my immune system seems to be working so well, that I only got a mild headache today during Theology. I didn't attend Ethics, again, 'cause I had to do this thing for Arts.

I won't forget my 5-minute meeting with Fr. Santos regarding about Spiritual Direction.

It's almost 9 pm right now, and I still hadn't done anything for my classes tomorrow. I don't even know why I'm this lazy nowadays. And recently, all I ever look forward to is going to the Ateneo after classes to watch my youngest brother train for varsity.

Earlier today, as we were driving around Ateneo, I wondered if things would be different if I was studying there. Maybe I'd study a gazillion times harder than what I'm doing now in my current university. I still hadn't decided yet if I'd take another entrance exam to Ateneo. I'm still weighing my options. I hope I find the answer sooner for my dilemma.

But for now, I still have to study Accounting and do my homework.

Arrivederci, A.