Sunday, October 21, 2012

Thinking Out Loud: On Laptops and Classes

     One of the highlights of the start of my academic year or semester is actually looking for and buying my notebooks and pens. Yes, I consider that as a highlight for some reason. But somehow, I think that that kind of thrill isn't something that the younger generations would experience as vivid as me and my peers did.

     See, just this semester I noticed something in one of my classes. As we were about to start the lectures and discussions, I pulled out my notebook and pen, ready to take down important notes. My seatmates did the same. Most of my classmates pulled out things from their bags as well. The thing is, it wasn't notebooks and pens, instead, it was laptops, iPads, and digital cameras. While I was writing, they were typing and taking pictures. While I was turning to the next page, they were pressing enter. While I was crossing out mistakes, they were pressing the backspace key or deleting pictures.

    And it wasn't isolated to that one particular class either. In my other class wherein a lot of my classmates where freshmen, this also happened. And it was even the freshmen who were using their laptops and iPads. It kind of caught me by surprise, is this now the norm?

     I remember it very clearly, back when I was a freshman in 2007, laptops were almost exclusively seen used by the students that really needed it (e.g. students taking up BS Computer Science), or by the students who came from wealthier families. I'll probably have around two or three classmate who would use their laptops to take down notes. There were already those taking photos of presentation slides, but most used their camera phones, contrast to today's digicams and DSLRs. I even remember I had some classmates use their cellphones to record what the professor was saying during the lectures, only for them to listen to it later on to check if they missed something during the lecture. 

     Now, what am I getting at? I am in no way saying that using laptops and cameras are bad, or the students would learn less if they use laptops instead of notebooks and pens. This tells me two things. First, is that the population of the students in the university is certainly trending into having students from richer families. One may argue that the lowering costs of laptops may actually be the cause of the increase in number of student laptop users, and not because that they come from wealthier families. I won't argue against that. However, when the laptops that you see are more of the Macs, HPs, and Sony Vaios, instead of the laptop notebooks, then I tend to think that that is because to be coming from a more well of family. Now, is this a bad thing? Not necessarily. If these "rich kids" are also the most qualified students to enter the university, then there is absolutely no issue.

     Second, it just shows me how fast technology is evolving and is becoming more accessible. Like I said, just as few as five years ago, classrooms just felt so traditional and, pardon the pun, old school. Now, it feels so familiar, yet very different. It makes me think, how much more will the classrooms change in another five years? in a decade? Will notebooks be essentially "extinct" in the foreseeable future? 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Rewind - Heads!

The Eraserheads are going to have a North-American Reunion Tour. Below is the poster for the said concert tour. Obviously, there are a lot of 'Heads songs symbolized in the poster. So why don't you go give a try and guess the songs represented below?


I've got my guesses after the jump. :)

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

UPdates!

Bakit?

I wonder kung may nagbabasa pa rito.

Anyway, as I said in the previous post, I would try to make this blog REALLY active in the next 2-3 months at least.

The following would be some of the things I am planning to post.

1.) Daily letters!
-----Think of these as like, letters in a bottle. Or a diary open to the vastness of the interweb. Or just me ranting, or whatever. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I'll be writing these in Baybayin, soooo..yeah. :D

2.) Tangwayers!
------ Those that know me, know that UP Tangway is a huge HUGE part of my life. Literally, it is my second family. So I'll try my best to post one entry about each Tangwayer that I could remember, starting from those that I am still with (alphabetically, and I would be using my phone contacts as a reference) all the waaaay up to the Alumni that I had spent significant time with (Wooo! MK Reperesent!). Basically, my memories of them, what I want to tell them that I just cant manage to say, and my best memory of him/her or with him/her.

Basically, it is like a compilation of parring words (dun-dun-dundun)

Also, that is why I specified the 2-3 months above. Currently, there are 48 members (excluding me). One a day would bring it up to 1 and a half month. Add in maybe another 20 alumni, and that would be 2 months and a week or two. Add in a couple of delays, and voila, 3 months!

3.) 90's Memories!
-A 4 part special. I'll write about my most vivid memories about the 90s, specifically, the music, the games, the shows, and other misc. stuff. :D

So there, I would still be writing even if no one would read these stuff. I just love writing, so I'll just keep on writing and writing.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Admin Stuff - Two New

For the next two months or so, I'll try to post everyday, two new entries, each of the same topic. This would be beside my other posts. so..yay me?

Friday, July 27, 2012

Thinking Out Loud - Creating Creativity

Bakit ka excited?


Well, yeah. I am excited about this. I am set to graduate in a year, and part of it is taking graduation pictures. One category among these grad pics is the creative picture. From the word itself, it is a picture where you can be as creative as you want to be! I've been excited for this since my first year in college. And now that I am more or less two months away from having my creative pic, I still can't decide on what to do!

Here are some of my ideas after the jump!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Rewind: Isang Huling Taon


(1)
Isang araw na naman ang lumipas

Kay bilis na nagdaan walang iniwan na bakas

Palagi sinasamahan ka at hinahatid pag gabi na
Saya sa bawat pagkikita huwag ng mawala sana

(Refrain)
Lagpas limampung linggo para makasama ka
Kada araw na bago hinahanap-hanap ka

(Chorus)
Idinaraan na lang sa pahatid hatid
Dala mong saya ay walang patid
Susulitin ang bawat pagkakataon
Sa nalalabing...isang huling taon

(2)
Umibig ng di sadya at napamahal ng tunay
Oras sana'y madaya, makasama ka buong buhay

[Refrain]
[Chorus]

Tinamaan sayo, Tinangay ng todo
Tindi ng nadarama, Tinatangi ka..

[Chorus]

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Bakit pa? Bakit ba?

Bakit ka nagsusulat?


For the past 10 or so months, I have written two songs, and who-knows how many poems about a specific..topic. And now, really, I don't know what to do with it. What to feel about it. So I just thought that, hey, maybe I'll just put em up here.

So yeah, maybe later tonight, maybe.

Ciao.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Rewind - An Ode to You

Bakit mo ito ginawa?

'Cause I was inspired! Really, I'm no songwriter, nor am I a singer. But that shouldn't disallow me from writing a song right? If this is a song, that is.

Oh yeah, no title yet. Hey I just wrote this, and this is crazy, I've still got no title, so help me maybe?

*WEH

Anyway, here it goes. :)



(1) 

Tinangay ako ng iyong ngiti
Sa aki'y isang magandang pagbati
Ang iyong pagtawa ay musika
Sa tuwina'y hinahanap hanap ka

(2)

Di namamalaya'y nahulog sa'yo
Hinihiling na magkasama tayo
Sa mga nalalabing pagkakataon
Sulitin ang isang huling taon

(Refrain)

Ngayong matatapos na ang lahat
Ang kaunting panahaon ba ay sapat?
Upang sabihin sa'yo ng buong tapat 
Ikaw ay aking minamahal at...


(Chorus)

Ikaw ay ang aking pangarap
Ang siyang aking hinihintay
Dumating ng di ko inaasahan
Ako'y maging sayo panghabangbuhay


(3)

Pag gising ika'y nasaking isipan
Naaalala ating mga usapan
Kung panaginip lang ang lahat ng ito
Wag ng matapos mahimbing na tulog ko

(4)

Lubos ang pasasalamat sa taas
Nawa'y hindi pa ito ang wakas
Tinatangi ang bawat segundo
Ika'y aking buong buhay at mundo

(Refrain)
(Chorus)

(Bridge)

Tinamaan sayo, tila ako'y napana
Buong pusong sasabihin sayo na...

(Chorus)

Thinking Out Loud - The Anatomy of The I-Love-You

Bakit I-Love-You?


Yeah, this probably would be just another of one of those cheesy posts, or one of those posts that make me sound like I know everything, and mostly, this is the one of the posts that when I look back at 3-4 years time, I'll just go "Haha! What a doofus!"



But hey, I had such a lightbulb moment a few days ago and it would be such a waste to just let it fly by. So i've got to write it. Write write write!

Therefore, The Anatomy of the I-Love-You.

What is in the I-Love-You?

Simple!

I.

Love; and

You.


Let's start with the I.

Love others by loving yourself.


You can't love others if you do not love yourself first.


Love for others come from love of ones self.


And a lot more variation of that quote, which all mean the same thing. You must love yourself first before being able to love others. One must know thyself before being able to love others. It is a cliche, but it is a cliche for a reason, and that is because, it is true.


Have you ever bought something, anything, from anyone selling whatever when he himself seems unsure of the product? Of course not! Mamaya malason pa ako riyan!


Same thing, albeit in a much much simplified manner. How can you really say, and prove, that YOU love someone, when you yourself don't love yourself, and don't even seem to know HOW TO LOVE. 

How then do you love yourself? That is for you to know. Simply because of how I look at the second word.

LOVE


WHAT IS LOVE?

That could be the one question in the world that has the most answers, both correct and wrong answers. Love is a four letter word, love is blind, love is like the wind, love is me, you, us. Have your pick, you won't run out of definitions of love.

Why is it so? I think it is because love is different for each and everyone of us.

How we feel love, how we make others feel love, what we consider as love, how we fall in love, how we look at love, how much we love, and so on and so forth. In short, how we define love.

You look at love at a different light as I look at love. I am 100% sure at that. That doesn't mean that how I look at love is the right, or better way of looking at it, the same way that how you look at love is better than how I do. It's just different. Just that.

I am a person filled to the rim with my kind of love. I love people easy. Heck, I fall for people easily. People would say that I should guard my heart, but those same people would say that I shouldn't and couldn't stop myself from loving people. So what is it really? This all roots from the point that I look at love at a different way than they do. Am I correct? Are they correct? Neither.

Now how does this relate to the anatomy of the I-Love-You?

Simple, knowing what YOUR love is goes a long way into knowing what we are giving. It helps us manage our feelings better. It gives you understanding of what to and how much to expect (because really, those that say "Never expect anything" are speaking nonsense. Expectations can never, ever, be terminated).

Back in the analogy of the salesman, you could be the most confident salesman in the world, but that would mean nothing if you do not know what your product is.

"Oh hi! I have this really awesome product that I give my greatest and utmost recommendations! It is literally the greatest thing ever!....What's that? What kind of product this is? Well uh...let me check the catalog.. So..yeah...greatest..ever....greatest...thing...ever.. Just a minute... Uhh,, do you really need to know more besides it being the greatest thing ever?"

Well, yes. I need to. Who knows, mamaya malason pa ako riyan.

Finally, as Soulja Boy would say, YOU! 

(well actually, he'll say, Youuuuuu.. but you get the point.)

Now you know the I, you know the You, time to get to know the YOU.

Simply put, how can you truly love someone without knowing the YOU. This is not to dispel Love-at-First-Sight for you people that believe at that, so bear with me here.

Knowing YOU does not exactly mean that you need to be super close friends with someone before really loving them, nor does that mean that everyone has to go through the "getting to know each other" phase. I frankly believe that that could go hand-on-hand, side-by-side. You fall in love, you love someone, while getting to know the one you love.

Everyday, you get to know her more.

Everyday, you fall in love with her more.

Everyday, you love her.

You find things that you both like, say an internet site like 9gag, or a comedy series like How I Met Your Mother, or a movie like The Avengers. You find things that you disagree on, like Robin and Barney, or Robin and Ted.   You find out things that there is absolutely no connection with, like say, she studies chemicals, you study public policies. You find out things that are cute, like the way she says "Hi guys!", or the way she laughs. You find out things that are, kinda unique to her, like her favorite artists being Maroon 5, or Somedaydream, or her being a grammar nazi, or her being a fan of science related articles.

The point is, each and everyday, you get to know her more. And as you know her more, you love her more. YOUR love for her evolves in such a way that it fits both of you.

Analogy time again, you cannot sell the greatest thing on earth without knowing who to sell to.

You can't sell a comb to a bald man. You can't sell a PS3 game to an XBox 360 owner. You can't sell an Ilocano-Cebuano dictionary to an American based Brit.

You need to know the one.

In conclusion,
I - Knowing one's self.
Love - Knowing one's love
You -Knowing one's love one.

Simple, yet complicated. But ain't them all?

And oh yeah,

I love you. :)  

Monday, June 25, 2012

From the Vault: 60 2 Do

Bakit sixty? 


Because this is another article I wrote for the college. And 60 because it is the 60th anniversary of our college.


Ang mga superheroes, hindi basta basta nagiging superhero. Dumaraan din sila sa mga pagsubok at pagsasanay! Ang mga iskolar ng bayad, ganun din. Di lang basta basta nagiging iskolar ng bayan. Oras na para maging isang tunay na Isko at Iska! Pero papaano? Basahin ang sumusunod na ilan sa mga bagay para ikaw ay maging isang tunay na isko!

1. Hindi maaring magutom! Kaya mamili ng hot monay with cheese sa askal. Dahil paglipas ng mga taon nila sa UP, malilimutan na nila ang value ng pagkain, higit lalo ang breakfast.
2. Damhin ang kalikasan. Mag nature tripping sa Lagoon.
3.  Automatic na dapat ito, pero manood ka ng Lantern Parade!
4. Saan ka man nanggaling, burgis man or promdi, dapat ikaw ay makakain at makatikim ng isaw!
5. Kung masobrahan man sa pagkain ng monay at isaw, wag kalimutan ang jogging sa acad oval!
6. Pero kung sobrang dilim sa acad oval, isa lamang ibig sabihin nito at iyon ay Pailaw na! Manood ka nito!
7. Hindi ka din makakapag jogging kung sobrang daming tao at mid-February na, dahil ibig sabihin noon ay UP FAIR na!!!1!!?!,!!. Halata bang big thing ito?
8. Kaso pag fair, mahirap sumakay ng jeep pauwi, so dapat mapatunayan mo na walking distance lang ang anumang point sa UP, kaya maglakad mula Math Building hanggang gym!
9. Ngunit tandaan, ayaw nating maging forever alone, kaya’t sumali ka sa org! Acad org man yan, or frat/soro, or provincial org, or hobby org. Kung di naman yan ang trip mo, just make sure na merong kang mga astiging friends.
10. At pag meron ka ng sariling Justice League mo, halika na at tumambay sa Sunken Garden!
11. Syempre, nakagugutom tumambay, kaya after tumambay, mag food trip. First up, Kumain sa Roddics!
12. Pero hindi lamang tayo puro tambay at kain dito sa unibersidad na minamahal. Para pampalakas ng school spirit, panoorin ang UP Pep squad, sa UAAP CDC kung kaya.
13. At kung tatak UP na lang ang usapan, sumakay ng isang buong ride ng ikot at toki. Dagdag na challenge, patagalan ng nakasakay sa ikot o toki ng isang beses lang nagbabayad.
14. Kailangan din natin ng pag unlad, di lamang sa loob ng silid aralan. Isa sa mga magandang paraan para dito? Manood ng mga theatrical play!
15. Kung ayaw mo naman lumabas sa apat na sulok ng silid aralan, okay lang yan. Umattend ka na lamang ng ACLE.
16. Kapag ka nasa UP, dapat, praktikal at madiskarte, kaya manguha ng freebies!
17. At kung praktikal at sulit na food trip ang usapan, food trip na sa KNL!
18. Speaking of food trip, kung sawa na sa KNL, kaunting kembot lang at kumain na sa mga kainan along Maginhawa!
19. Kung may extra money ka naman, why don’t you know, like try eating along Katipunan?
20. Ngunit kung tinatamad namang lumabas ng campus, aba, marami naman within peyups!  Sa Lutong Bahay, sa SC, sa mga food carts!
21. Habang nasa loob ka pa ng campus, bakit hindi mo bisitahin si Oble? Yung totoo ah, at hindi siya yung nasa harap ng Quezon Hall (alam mo ba yung Quezon Hall?) Nasaan si Totoong Oble? Abangan..mamaya!
22. OR, kung di ka naman makapaghintay na, puntahan at pasukin LAHAT ng buildings sa UP!
23. Pero tandaan, WALANG building na TBA ang pangalan! Therefore, dapat maexperience mo din ang mabiktima and/or mangbiktima ng TBA!
24. At isa sa mga buildings na ito ay ang Vargas Museum. Sulit na sulit ang pagbisita dito. (Side quest, may cafe sa tabi nito, baka gusto mo ding mag food trip dun? :D)
25. Umalis naman tayo sa UP, kaya kahit man lang isang beses ay sumama ka sa isang field trip ng inyong klase!
26. Pag uwi mo galing sa field trip, pagod ka syempre. Magandang pamparelax? Makinig sa UP Carilion.
27. Para kumpleto na ang pagrerelax, bumili ng dinner sa may Area 2 at kainin ito sa may track oval.
28. Doon ulit tayo sa school spirit. Para kumpleto na, bumili ka ng mga UP shirt, lanyard, jacket, bag, or ano pa man!
29. At habang suot suot ang UP shirt mo na bagong bili, umattend ka na din ng mga seminar at forum. Boring pakinggan, pero sulit yan.  
30. Or kung gusto mo naman ng maaksyon, manood ka ng laro ng UP Fighting Maroons, mapa basketball man or ano mang sports.
31. Balik tayo sa acads. Ang masasabi ko lang, hindi kumpleto ang UP experience mo kung hindi ka  pumila para sa enlistment ng subject!
32. Para di ka naman magutom habang nakapila, kumain ka ng fishball at pancit canton!
33. Palakihin pa ang iyong social circle sa pamamagitan ng pag attend sa mga dorm activites like Open houses!
34. At kasama ang iyong mga bagong dormer friends, manood ng mga sobrang mura, or minsan ay libre pa nga na movies sa film center.
35. Dapat din lagi kang updated, kaya magbasa ng mga official publications ng peyups.
36. Matapos basahin, may tatlo kang pwedeng gawin. Itabi ang mga ito, i-recycle, o kaya’y gamitin ang mga ito para mag iwan ng giant message sa sunken garden.
37.  Kung ibang giant naman ang gusto nyong makita, tulad ng mga planeta at bituwin, mag observe sa observatory given the chance.
38. Sabihin natin na gusto mo namang tumambay, sa FC ng lang para makapanood ng mga nagrerehearse.
39. Pwede ka ding mag library. Double purpose na, masarap ng mag-aral dito, masarap pang tumambay at matulog.
40. Pero kung ayaw mong tumambay at ang tipo mo ay maglibot, pwede mag explore ng mga iba't ibang grafiti and vadalism sa mga pader at desks.
41. At kung sa iyong paglilibot ay nakita mo si Oble, magpapicture ka sa kanya.
42. On second thought, wag gagawin ang number 41. May curse daw kasi. Ang gawin mo na lang, alamin ang mga curse stories sa UP.
43. At dahil nabanggit na si oble, wag kalilimutang manood ng Oblation Run!
44. Kung mapapasigaw ka at mapapamura sa makikita sa Oblation Run, isave mo na lamang ang lahat ng ito para sa iyong pagsusumpa kay CRS. Madalas dalas mong gagawin yan.
45. Ang isa pang madalas na mangyayari ay makita si Zoro. Kaya meet and greet Zoro!
46. Madalas din ang mga rally at walk out, makiisa, makisama! (Pero yun lamang ay kung umaayon ka sa kanila at naiintindihan mo talaga ang gagawin mo).
47. Isa pang bagay na dapat ay naiintindihan mo bago pumasok ay ang magka lovelife. Parte ng buhay yan, kaya wag na tayo mahiya at tayo ay palaging...
48. maging open mided. Hindi mo lubus lubusang ma e enjoy ang mga nakalista dito, at ang buong UP experience kung hindi ka open minded.
49. Dahil malapit na ang rainy season, isa sa mga must do ay ang maghintay hanggang lagpas hating gabi para sa announcement na walang pasok. Lahat ng ibang schools, wala ng pasok, tayo, kahit announcement wala pa.
50. Kaya papasok ka kinabukasan, pero nagdadasal ka pa rin na sana masuspend ang class. Masususpend ito pag wala ka ng natitirang class at wala ng ulan. Nakakastress ba?
51. Kung stressed ka na, mag declare ng self declared holiday. Ayusin lang ang timing.
52. Pwede ding pang alis stress ang paglalaro ng bilyar at duckpin sa alumni center.
53. Matapos mawala ang iyong stress, i share ang good vibes at maglakad lakad sa campus at mag hi sa mga tao.
54.  Dahil malakas na ang loob mo, mag sit in sa isang class na hindi mo naman talaga class
55. Itodo na din ang confidence at lakas ng loob at pumasok na naka pambahay na attire
56. Pag may nagtanong sayo, sabihin mo gumagawa ka lang ng music video. Speaking of which, maghanap ng music video na nag shoot sa campus at hanapin kung saan ito sa campus.
57. Pero dahil nga nasa UP tayo para mag aral, mag aim ka na maka uno kahit minsan, kahit pe or cwts lang.
58. Subukan din ang maglakad along the university avenue, mas okay din kung may mga sunflower na.
59. At kung may sunflower na, kahit walang connect, kabisaduhin ang UP Naming Mahal. Kailangan mo kasi yang kantahin sa graduation mo, whic means na ang huling must do sa UP ay..
60. Grumaduate!

From the Vault: Survival Tips

Bakit?


This article is something I wrote for our college, so, enjoy!


            So you’ve finally made it to the premier university in the country. But as a famous saying in the campus goes “Mahirap makapasok, mas mahirap makalabas.” Passing the UPCAT and enrolling in UP won’t mean anything if you can’t graduate, be it on time or not. In short, you need to survive in UP! Since we are ‘sUPer students’, where else can we look for advice but from the best super heroes out there? So we would be looking at two famous super hero teams; the original line-up of the Justice League, and the Avengers in the recently released movie of the same name. Let’s start shall we?

The Justice League



            First of all, one of the most important thing to remember when in UP is to be quick and fast, like The Flash. One must be quick to think and fast to react. UP won’t wait for you to get yourself ready, in and out the classroom. Being late is not an option, and always remembers that deadlines are really deadlines.  Being quick and fast also helps a ton when it comes to buying your lunch during jam-packed lunch breaks, or trying to catch a ride, be it a jeepney or a cab, or being the first one to use the shower in the morning.
            Most of us are familiar with the concept of culture shock, and it should come as no shock (pun intended) that a lot of iskos and iskas experience culture shock. There would be those that came from province, or graduated from exclusive high schools, and some even came from outside the country. Aquaman came from the City of Atlantis under the oceans before spending most of his crime fighting time on land. You would experience culture shock, or some variety of it, at one point or another, but that is not the point. What is important is to be able to adapt. If you are a freshman reading this, you would spend at least four years in the university, and you wouldn’t be able to survive here without adapting. That does not necessarily mean changing your lifestyle or attitude. It simply means getting to know how things work around here, and then adjusting yourself to it accordingly. It is not easy, it is never easy, but hey, you are in UP, where nothing is easy.   
            Speaking of culture shock, most attribute it to being alone, to not having any friends to be with, to the feeling that you are like a Martian from Mars that came to Earth. Well, do you know who really (well, not really-really, but comic book-really) came from Mars and was the lone Martian on Earth? Martian Manhunter (or less known as J’onn J’onzz) that is! He was accidentally pulled to Earth by an experimental teleportation beam, and thus, he was the lone Martian on a planet of Earthlings. But hey, he found the Justice League who he considers as friends. In the same vein, it would help your survival here in UP if you have your own group of friends. You can find friends from your blockmates, or from various organizations, such as hobby orgs, academic orgs, and provincial orgs. While it is the common notion that UP promotes and develops independence, that shouldn’t come at the price of being forever alone. To put it simply, let me say it this way: The value of having friends can never be overstated.
             Moving on, among the things that I discovered to be useful while being in UP can be described using one word, “willpower”. The same willpower that, through his ring, gives Hal Jordan, The Green Lantern, his powers. There would be countless times when your confidence would be shaken, when you would doubt yourself, when you would be demotivated to the point that you would feel so worthless, when you would simply want to give up. It is not an issue of IF, but an issue of WHEN. Trust me, it would happen. The thing to remember is to be able to have enough willpower to continue, to stand up after falling. No one gets out unscarred. You would get hurt, you would lose and you would fail. But at the same time, you would stand up, you would be better, and you would succeed. And that would only happen if you have willpower.
            Just a quick question, do you recognize that Wonder Woman has a lasso? She has and it is called the Lasso of Truth, which forces anyone it catches to tell the truth. Now, I don’t know if this should be filed under ‘survival tips’, or under ‘everyday things’, but while in UP, and even out of it, tell the truth! I won’t make this long, it is not worth it to lie, or cheat. Let me repeat that, IT-IS-NOT-WORTH-IT. Keep honest, tell the truth, and just stay on the right track.
            Okay, given that you now a UP student, it only follows that you are one of the best students in the country. Which means that you are pretty awesome on your own. But you would even excel and achieve more if you are in a group. Much like Batman. Batman is an incredible superhero on his own, but he couldn’t do it all alone. There are just some opponents that could be bested with the help of the League. Like I’ve said earlier, surround yourselves with friends, but in this particular instance, friends that do more than just hang out with you. Have study groups before an exam, or have a discussion about that long reading that was assigned to your class, or solve problem sets together. Of course, you would accomplish an exam and other individual requirements on your own, but that doesn’t mean that you have to prepare for it alone. Not to mention that there would be a lot of requirements that are to be done as a group, and learning how to work within a group is such a vital lesson to learn.
            Now, we go to the man in blue, one of the most famous superheroes of all time, Superman. The Man of Steel has often been referred to as being the boy scout among the superheroes. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know what they say about boy scouts, that is that boy scouts are always ready. Likewise, UP students should also always be ready. Do not go to your classes unprepared. Do your homework, read the assigned readings, always have your course syllabus with you, have some extra money in case of emergency, always bring an umbrella, and never forget to bring your pen and paper. It goes a long way to at least have an idea of what you is being discussed in class. UP is a microcosm of the real world, and much like in the real world, there would be a lot of instances that would and could catch you in surprise. The only preparation against this is therefore to always be ready for any situation that may arise.



The Avengers





            Having an observant eye could be one of the most underrated skills to have while in UP. A sharp eye, like that of Hawkeye. For starters, your teachers most of the time would write a lot on the black board, or flash text heavy powerpoint slides. Do not be surprised if your teacher does not wait for you to finish copying everything before they erase the notes on the board or move on to the next slide. It is imperative therefore to be able to have a quick eye and spot all the important words and key ideas in all those texts presented to you. During exams, it would also greatly help if you would be more stringent in reading the instructions, the questions, as well as the answers. For instance, there would be some true or false exams that would instruct you to write F for true, and T for false, or in Math, multiple choice answers whose only difference is the sign or placement of the decimal point.  Outside the class room, being observant also help. Room numbers most of the time follow a pattern, and getting familiar with said pattern greatly helps. I’ll give one more example that maybe even the non-freshmen hasn’t noticed. Have you noticed that Ikot and Toki jeeps have yellow roofs? While Katipunan bound jeepnes are marooned/browned roofed. Going to Philcoa? Ride the jeepneys that are of green roofs with yellow on its side, while if you are thinking of going to SM North, or MRT, or Pantranco, the jeepneys with the pure green roofs are the ones to ride.
            So you are surrounded by the following people: The God of Thunder, a master assassin proficient with the use of deadly arrows, a hulking green giant with anger management issues, a genius, playboy, billionaire, philanthropist with a super powered suit of armor, and a legendary super soldier that lives up to the legend, how would you feel? Most would feel like an ant among people, but not Black Widow. Even among all these marvellous beings, she does not shy away and actually holds her own. The message is simple, even if everyone seems so special and you seem to be normal does not mean that you can’t do anything. You’ll encounter a lot of people that make it seem like getting a grade of uno is a part of their daily routine. The key is to not compare yourself to these people and just hold your own. Do your stuff, and do it in your absolute best. If you keep comparing yourself to others, your just wasting time that could have been used to actually catch up to them. 
             Quick question! What is one thing that Thor can do that no one else can? Lift up his hammer, the Mjolnir. No one else can do it. Likewise, there would be things that only you can do, or at the very least, be the best in doing it. There would be always someone better than you, that is just a reality of life, but even to those people better than you, there would be specific things that you would do better than them. It all goes back to having confidence.

            It could be said that UP is an obstacle course that challenges your physical limitations, mental prowess, social capabilities, and emotional capacity. With that in mind, keeping your emotions under control actually helps a lot during your stay in UP. Being the master of your emotions is a big thing, just ask the Hulk. All kinds of emotions could work for and against you. There would be times when you would be sad and depressed for whatever reason, be it a failed exam or an important paper that you failed to pass before the deadline, or a subject that you did not pass. The important thing is to not sulk in depression. Angry because you got late or missed a class because of whatever unfortunate accident that wasn’t your fault? Don’t let your anger get the best of you. Because if so, then you risk losing even more, without even actually having to gain something. Your emotions is the proverbial double edged sword; if used properly it would motivate and help push one to newer heights.
            I’ll go straight to the point for this next one; learn to step up as a leader, a leader like Captain America. Some of you reading this might have been leaders already before, while others might have shied away from the responsibility of being a leader. Nonetheless, you would have to take on the mantle of being the lead guy or girl on a team. As I said above, there would be a lot of group requirements, and at one point or another, you would have to lead. Even outside the classroom, such instances would rise, be it in your group of friends or in your organization. Learning to lead sooner rather than later would be a crucial survival tip while staying here in the campus. After all, we are UP students – future leaders of our generation.
            Finally, we go to the final superhero on the list, Iron Man, who is all sorts of awesome, which translate to a survival tip of...well.... just be awesome. That’s it. Be-freakin’-Awesome.
             

Image sources:
  

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Thinking Out Loud - Caught in the Middle

Bakit ba pag wala ka na, ako'y kulang? Ako'y kulang?

Have you ever had that feeling that you missed out on something? Like when you look back that the things that you have done, you wish you could have done more, or done it better? When you see other people having fun and thinking, "Why couldn't have I do that too?"

Yeah, I know, it sound sourgraping. And yes, I also know that if I keep dwelling on this the chances are I would be missing out on opportunities to actually have fun, in essence, to live!

But let me just share what I have in mind right now. It's just that, i feel like I have never really lived in the moment, I never lived in the present. I was either in the past, or in the future.

When I entered college, and through my first three years, I lived with my brother, together with his (and eventually mine as well) friends and orgmates. It was a great house, definitely a home away from home. One of the most unforgettable moments of my life. Something I would never regret. I was 16 back then, and most of them were around 20 years old. It was great! I heard countless stories that would make them laugh until the break of dawn, moments wherein even with the lights turned off, all it took was a slight remark from someone to elicit their memories from years past and trigger a night of laughter and stories. Drunken nights, timeless stories, real friendship. It was priceless.

Back then, I swore to myself to have friends similar to those that my brother had. Not that I want to be like my brother, this is not a case of me comparing myself to him. It is just a case of seeing something so great, and wishing to have something that would have the same effect. Not the same, but just something alike. I just wished to have friends to grow up with, make mistakes with, and have experiences that later on would be stories to tell and laugh about. In a nutshell, I want to be in a similar situation as my kuyas and ates were when I first met them.

But of course, them being older than me, they had to move on to other things. Work, career, some even started or will start their own families. Every now and then, we would still get together, though I think we have not been complete for at least two years. That being said, I started to develop new friendship with new people, mostly those that are younger than me. This was the set up for the next two years, and most likely for this coming 6th and final year.

During those years, I saw them live out stories similar to those that I have heard from my kuyas and ates. Adventures, growing up together, making mistakes and looking like idiots. Laughter, cries, screams, high fives, hugs, and songs sang on the karaoke. I was around 19 or 20 at that time, they were 16 or 17.

You know where this one is going.

Back when I was 16, looking at my 19 year old friends, I caught a glimpse of what I want, a part of my future to be like. To be able to tell tales of experiences that would be so simple, yet so memorable.

When I was 19, looking at my 16 year old friends, I caught a glimpse of what I wanted my a part of my past to be. To be able to experience adventures that would translate to tales the would be so simple, yet so memorable.

In essence, I missed the present.

Sure, I do laugh, real laugh with them. Whenever I hear the stories of the past, or see stories happen in real time, I laugh my heart out. But the difference is, I was never a part of it.

When my brother and his friends shared stories, I laughed together with them, I had a grand time. Mostly because those stories were great and funny. But they who have experienced it themselves would be feeling something deeper. They would be reliving some of their best memories.

When I see my friends go through great, and at time embarrassing experiences, I am with them in laughter and fun. But I could never tell those stories with much joy and bliss as they would be able  to, as I was never a part of it.

It is like similar to being the cameraman. You take the picture, you see the picture, you know a lot about the picture, when it was taken, where, who was in it. BUT, you never are a part of the picture.

And now, I'm on my last year. I spent the first three years of my college life wishing to have that special bond, and I have seen in the latter two years those bonds being formed by other people.

One year to go, is it too late for me?
           

Friday, February 24, 2012

On Deck - 8 and 62


Saan nanggaling ang 8-62?

0-14, 3-11, 3-11, 0-14, 2-12

            Those are the records of the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team since I entered UP as an undergrad student back in 2007.
            Over those years, I’ve seen various players come and go. I saw how Migs de Asis impressed and show promise (that sadly wasn’t realized) during his rookie year. I heard how Martin Reyes got compared to a certain Allan Caidic. I saw Woody Co win the rookie of the year award and I saw him play his last game. I saw Jay Agabayani’s gallant effort during his last game as a Maroon, and the same goes to long time Maroon Miggy Maniego. I was one of those that was estatic as Mikee Reyes led the team to a win during his rookie season against DLSU. I am one of those firm believers that Mark Lopez could have been a part of the national team if given more training. I was one of those that were eagerly waiting for Mike Silungan to finish his residency, and one of those pleasantly optimistic with Jelo Montecastro’s performance during the summer leagues of 2011.
            During those years, we saw DLSU win a championship a year after being suspended, Adamson slowly improve and become a contender, UE go 14-0, NU and UST field MVPs, FEU make back to back finals appearance, and ADMU win 4 straight championships.
             UP finished no better than 6th, and was dead last in the other 4 years. Given that, I still was an avid fan of the team. I am still excited whenever talks about promising new guys are joining the team. Still hopeful after every good showing in the preseason. Still filled with joy with every win, and is still bummed after every defeat. With very little to show for in the last 5 years, why do I still support the team as such?
            I guess it is simply because I love UP so much and I love basketball just as much. Sure, it hurts not to see my team reach the same success the other basketball teams reach, but eventually, it goes beyond winning. I’m proud to be an Isko, and everything that comes with that. Win or lose, I’ll still support the Fighting Maroons. I am sure that within my lifetime, UP would win the championship again, and at that point, all these years waiting would be more than worth it.

           It's bound to happen, right?

Monday, February 6, 2012

Link Cable - It Shouldn't be a Big Deal.

Bakit ako gumising ng maaga kanina?

Dahil may exam kanina. Still, despite that, I still manage to log in Facebook and there I saw a link Ate posted about an article. I'll link you to that article in a while, but before that, let me post here some lines  from said article that I really liked.

If you think you love someone, chances are you probably do. That’s it. Why do we build it up so much?

You felt love for this person and wanted to show it. What’s the crime there? Why should we feel insecure about it?

 It’s just a natural progression for us when we care about someone. When it has to do with friends, we often don’t even think about it. “Oh yeah, I love my best friend. Duh.” So why do the rules change with our boyfriends and girlfriends? 

 Life is too short to not let the people we know that we love them,

Link to the full article here: Why Saying “I Love You” To Someone For The First Time Shouldn’t Be That Big Of A Deal 
 
 
 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Rewind - Drums and Bass

Bakit mo pakikingan at panonoorin ang video na nasa ibaba?

Because..well, just watch it.


That is Buddy Zabala (of The Dawn) in bass and Raimund Marasigan (of Sandwich) in drums, both, needless to say, are members of the best OPM band in history, The Eraserheads. In the video above, they are playing some Eraserheads songs. I tried to listen closely and identify which songs they played in the medley, then added in my unsolicited comments.

0:00 - Alapaap. Only fitting that they kick off with Alapaap, it is after all, the song they used to open up concerts.

1:10 - Sembreak. "Naalala kita pag umuulan. Naalala kita pag giniginaw. Naalala kita pag kakain na."

2:28 - Minsan. One of the more underrated, yet popular songs of the Heads. At least for me. :D "Minsan, sa may Kalayaan."

3:40 - Alkohol. Since this is a song where Raimund really sings, he actually sings in the video!

4:36 - Kailan.

5:28 - I had a hard time identifying what song this is, though the intro is very familiar. I'm guessing it is Fruitcake?

 6:40 - Back2Me. From Cutterpillow. "..Let's give love another chance.."

7:35 - Kaliwete. One of the my first favorite Eheads songs.

8:59 - Torpedo. "Di ko kayang sabihin ang aking, nadarama.."

10:32 - Magasin. Really, who can not recognize that opening part?

12:17 -  Ang Huling el Bimbo. Though for the first few seconds, I thought it was Huwag Mo Nang Itanong.

So there you have it. Did I got it all correct? It is kinda cool to see them play some Heads tunes. How about you guys? What is your favorite Eraserheads song?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Thinking Out Loud - The Bucket List


Bakit Bucket?

So this is where everything started. As stated in my first post, the name, The Bakit List, was partially inspired by the term bucket list. Just before 2011 ended, I decided to create a bucket list of mine to be accomplished during the whole of 2012. Not really sure if bucket lists are to be shared, but, hey, I'm sharing mine anyway. So here it is, and at the end, some notes and comments. :)


List after the jump!



Shutter! - Bohol in Pictures Part Three


Bakit meron na naman? Tama naaa...


No. Suffer! Buwahahahahaha!

Anyway, joking aside, here is part three. If you haven't seen it yet, here are Parts One and Two. The fun starts after the jump!

"Woah! There is a part three?"

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Shutter! - Bohol in Pictures Part Two


Bakit hati pa ang Bohol Adventures post?

Kasi masyadong mahaba na kung sa isang post lang lahat. Anyway, as usual, picture story comes after the jump!


"Does every post about Bohol really need to start with me?" 


Friday, January 27, 2012

Shutter! - Bohol in Pictures Part One


Bakit ngayon na lang ulit may post?

Sorry for being out for so long. Just went through a rough week in school. Anyway, I am back and I'm returning with a picture timeline of our Bohol Adventures! Enjoy! The fun starts after the jump!



You'll continue reading, mmmrayt?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Link Cable - Bohol Adventures!

Bakit may ganito? Ano ito?

Let me introduce you to one new feature here! Link Cable! Simply, it is just me, linking to other quality blogs. :)

I'm busy right now with my acads and stuff, so I wouldn't be able to post much. However, I'm linking you to my brother's blog.

Check out his post regarding our Bohol adventures! He is one great writer, so don't forget to check out his blog every now and then!

Go there now: It's More Fun in Bohol Day One via My Life as a Pidgeot!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Thinking Out Loud - When Being Restricted is Fun

Bakit gugustuhin mong magka girlfriend kung ang sarap sarap maging single?

Tama naman.

There are a LOT of things a single man can do. Party all night, get drunk, do wild stuff, get to not listen to her stories, or to accompany her in shopping, or to pick her up after her classes, or go home early. Look at other girls, heck, flirt with other girls, think of other girls, think of other girls. Really, the list could be endless, and filled with fun and crazy things.

But once one is in a relationship, then that changes. A lot that would be in those list would be explicitly banned, forbidden, disallowed. You can't get drunk too much. Can't go home too late. Must tell her where you are. Have less time for yourself to be able to listen to her, to go with her shopping (and seriously, shopping with girls is really hard). Think of other girls no more, and start to think less of yourself, and more for the both of you (not that you start not taking care of yourself, you just start to consider her more, factor her more in your decisions and actions.)

ALL of these, it is chocking in a way. It is binding. It is restricting. And frankly who would want that?

I would.

Call me crazy, yeah, I am. But I would. If she tells me to drink less, or none at all, so that we would be able to talk, then I would willingly do that. If she asks me to go with her shopping and that causes me to miss watching my favorite basketball team, then I would willingly do that. If she constantly asks me what I am doing, where I am, and if I had already eaten, then I would gladly answer all of that. Because nothing is more intoxicating than listening to your voice and your stories. Nothing is more thrilling than see you get excited on what clothes look great on you (and the truth is, everything would). Nothing is better than feeling of having someone care, of being with someone, even if there are already a ton of people around you.

And even if she wouldn't ask for it, I would stop looking at other girls. I will do (and had done) that. I will stop looking at other girls. Stop thinking, and thinking of other girls. And the next girl that I would want to say I love you to? Our future daughter.

So yeah, shackle me up. Chain me in. Restrict me by all means. But if that meant I would be chained forever with you, I'll throw the keys to the chain to the deepest depths of the ocean, for I never want to part with you. Ever again.

Now, when will I be able to let you read this?

(author's note: This doesn't mean that I'll give up my life for that girl, whoever she is. It's just that I would be more than willing to let go of things for her. Of doing less and less of the single stuff, even though it is more fun.)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Podium - Sugarfree Songs

"Bakit ngayon, malamig ka bigla?"


Welcome to the first edition of the returning, "The Podium"! In this edition, we would be listing my top Sugarfree songs. Let's begin, shall we?

But first, a bit of introduction! Sugarfree is a local pop alternative band formed back in 1999. It had Ebe Dancel on vocals and guitars, Jal Taguibao on bass and back-up vocals (and PolSci prof :D), and Mitch Singson on drums.  In 2006, Mitch left the band and Kaka Quisumbing replaced him. 
   



Sugarfree had four studio albums. Sa Wakas in 2003, Dramachine in 2004, Tala-arawan in 2006, and Mornings & Airports in 2009.


Without further ado, the list starts after the jump! (And let me warn you, this is going to be a long entry.)

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Thinking Out Loud - It's a Small World After All?

Bakit mo pa ako kailangan, sa dinami dami ng kaibigan mo?

Let me rant for a little here, would you?

I'm not exactly the person to have a large social circle. I have a few close friends from the college, then friends from elementary and HS (whom I get to hang out maybe three, four times a year), and then from my organization (UP Tangway), and then, that's that.

Having a smaller social circle than others, I tend to gravitate and give importance to them much more than they would to me. I don't really complain about that, since I still feel that I am a significant part of their lives, it's just that they have a bigger social circle. No biggie.

Pictured: NOT me.

What bothers me to no end are those persons that just don't seem to care for you AT ALL, even after caring for them. It is just so frustrating, to then, see them care for others, for them to appreciate other people. It's like they suddenly turn off their "care" button when they look at you. And I'm NOT talking about romance or love life here. I am talking about friends! It's like they NEVER enjoy their time with you, but they do with other people. It feels like you can explode in rage and just accept sadness at the same time.


And the worst part of it, it seems like they enjoy the company of those people that does NOT even really care for them sincerely. I know one shouldn't care for someone just to be cared for, but IT.JUST.SUCKS. It just does. That's the truth. You don't want to accept me caring for you, don't want to appreciate me, think of me as boring, then fine. I can't do anything any more. I don't know if I am making any sense at all, but eh, I guess you have such big world that I am as significant as an ant to you. Too bad, you are one of the persons that I truly cared for. But you just don't care.

Y U NO APPRECIATE ME???!?

I guess the best course of action is just to care less, besides, they do say that you'll only see the value of something once it is lost, right?




Friday, January 20, 2012

From the Vault: AnĂ¡lisis perfecto. Es verdad. tan muy verdad

(ed note: This one goes way way back from May 8, 2004)


got this from my kuyas and ates sa uptangway. hehe.. get yours too at http://www.handwritingwizard.com, then post them here! haha..

welcome kelvin rae rodriguez,  here is your handwriting analysis.




kelvin rae is moderately outgoing. his emotions are stirred by sympathy and heartrendering stories. in fact, he can be kind, friendly, affectionate and considerate of others. he has the ability to put himself into the otherperson's shoes. (wow..sakto ito..)
kelvin rae will be somewhat moody, with highs and lows. sometimes he will be happy, the next day he might be sad. he has the unique ability to get along equally well with what psychology calls introverts and extroverts. this is because he is in between. psychology calls kelvin rae an ambivert.(is that even a real word? haha) he understands the needs of both types. although they get along, he will not tolerate anyone that is too "far out." he doesn't sway too far one way or the other. (korak...tama tama.)
when convincing him to buy a product or an idea, a heart rendering story could mean a great deal to him. he puts himself in the same situation as the person in the story, yet he will not buy anything that seems overly impractical or illogical. kelvin rae is an expressive person. he outwardly shows his emotions. he may even show traces of tears when hearing a sad story.(true..d b? haha)
kelvin rae is a "middle-of-the-roader," politically as well as logically. he weighs both sides of an issuesits on the fence, and then will decide when he finally has to.(parang kilala lang ako nung gumawa ah!) he basically doesn't relate to any far out ideas and usually won't go to the extreme on any issue.


people that write their letters in an average height and average size are moderate in their ability to interact socially.(so far, ala pang mali ang analysis.) according to the data input, kelvin rae doesn't write too large or too small, indicating a balanced ability to be social and interact with others.
 

kelvin rae will be candid and direct when expressing his opinion. he will tell them what he thinks if they ask for it, whether they like it or not. so, if they don't really want his opinion, don't ask for it! (tama! haha.. )





kelvin rae is a cumulative and procedural thinker. he likes to have all the facts before making a decision. he thinks or creates much like a brick mason, stacking fact upon fact. his thought pattern or the conclusion will not be complete until the last fact is in place. like that brick wall, kelvin rae learns faster through visual demonstration than through quick verbal instructions. once he has learned new material, and understood it, he won't forget. (ito napakatotoo. as in, ganyan na gnyan..)
kelvin rae is a methodical thinker, therefore he is able to build things and come up with new ideas. in an argument, he often loses to rapid thinking people because he is thinking thirty minutes later about what he should have said (so true..haha..kaya nga daw madali ako madistract ng aking mga pagkakamali..oh..talent's night..haha..). these people often are very booksmart, but can be out-gunned in a rapid fire verbal debate. (ibg sbhin. ung nakaktalo sa akin, booksmarts, but i can defeat them in a "rapid fire verbal debate, ryt? haha..tamang tama! parlia nga ako eh d b..)
he may learn new ideas at a slower pace than other "less detailed" people, but once he gets it, he can handle repetition. some people hate jobs with too much repetition, he can handle it better than most.





kelvin rae is a practical person whose goals are planned, practical, and down to earth. this is typical of people with normal healthy self-esteem. he needs to visualize the end of a project before he starts. he finds joy in anticipation and planning.(tama!) notice that i said he plans everything he is going to do, that doesn't necessarily mean things go as planned. kelvin rae basically feels good about himself. he has a positive self-esteem which contributes to his success. he feels he has the ability to achieve anything he sets his mind to. however, he sets his goals using practicality-- not too "out of reach". he has enough self-confidence to leave a bad situation, yet, he will not take great risks, as they relate to his goals.(tama pa din..lalo na ung "not take great risks" that's me! a good esteem is one key to a happy life. although there is room for improvement in the confidence category, his self-perception is better than average. (tama ito..kahit akala nyo wala akong self esteem, di lang xa super taas.)



kelvin rae has a temper. he uses this as a defense mechanism when he doesn't understand how to handle a situation. temper is a hostile trait used to protect the ego. temper can be a negative personality trait in the eyes of those around him. (not..so good, but true.)



something is incomplete in kelvin rae's life. he feels frustration relating to his physical needs and desires. somewhere in his life there is some disappointment, non-fulfillment, and interruption. this is very likely to relate to kelvin rae's sexual needs. (anung sexual needs???!?!?! haha..pero tama..i do feel those..frustration, non fulfillment..pero d naman kcng lala 2lad ng dati.)
 



for a graphologist, the spacing on the page reflects the writer's attitude toward their own world and relationship to things in his or her own space. if the inputted data was correct kelvin rae has left lots of white space on the right side of the paper. kelvin rae fills up the rest of the page in a normal fashion. if this is true, then kelvin rae has an unhealthy relationship to the past and has a fear of moving forward. the right side of the page represents the future and kelvin rae seems unwilling to face the fear of getting started living now and planning for the future. kelvin rae seems to be clinging to past events and spending lots of time thinking about what happened. it would be best to leave the past behind and move on. stop crowding that left margin. (katulad ng sbi ko, gnun na nga ako, hrap makalimot sa mga ibang pangyayari.. 2lad nung mga pagbagsak ko sa math, mga pagkakamali ko sa app process sa tangway, ung pagkaholdap sa akin..hehe..pero itong part na yung pina malayo sa katotohanan..i actually am moving on relatively good. haha..)


very nice..haha..i didn't expect na tatama xa ng gnung kataas ang accuracy!  try it sometimes guys, masaya! hehe..and oh yeah, mag iwan kayo ng comment ha! okie? salamat!