From The Vault: Ano Nga Ba Ang Patinikan?

(ed. note: I have a thing for speeches and public speaking. So here, I am posting my opening remarks speech during the Patinikan 2012. Added some pictures to make it less text heavy. :D)


To our board of judges, to our guest speaker, to all my co-members in UP Tangway, to all the participants and their advisers, welcome to Patinikan 2012, and good morning.

"Bakit Patinikan?" That has been a question asked to me countless of times before. They ask, shouldn't it be, Panitikan? Taking a look at the archives of our organization, it shows that Patinikan started off mainly as an essay writing competition. Hence, Patinikan is indeed a play on the word Panitikan. Not to mention, Bataan is a province very familiar with fishes, making the name Patinikan appropriate. But then, I am asked yet another question, "Ano ang Patinikan?"

Patinikan is an inter-highschool set of competitions. But is that all there is to it?

I'd like to think that there is more to Patinikan. That it is more than just the usual academic competition. I look at Patinikan, and see it as a medium to carry out a message, and raise awareness on the different issues that are prevalent in our society today. Two years ago, we talked about the role of mass media in the government, last year it was about the drive of the Filipino students in learning, and this year is about the responsible use of technology. To put it shortly, Patinikan transcends being a competition and is now a medium for awareness, a medium for change.

Yes, this may all sound very idealistic. Yes, we are not that big of an organization, and yes, who knows if what I am saying right now makes any sense, at all. But this reminds me of a video that went viral on YouTube about two years ago. It is a video of Professor Winnie Monsod's last lecture for that semester, and in it, she mentioned a quote. The quote was, "I am only one, but I am one. I can not do everything, but I can do something." Patinikan is our something. And if we each do our something, if we each do our part, then that moves us closer to achieving our everything. It would take all of our collective effort to achieve that everything, and it would be hard. It would not be easy, it isn't easy at all, and frankly, we shouldn't expect it to become easy. But then again, that nothing in this world that's worth having comes easy.

Again, a good day, and may we have a very memorable Patinikan ahead. Thank you. :)

Thinking Out Loud: Endings and Thoughts About It.

First, a quote from my favorite tv series, Scrubs.

Endings are never easy. I always build them up so much in my head that they can’t possibly live up to my expectations and I just end up disappointed. I’m not even sure why it matters to me so much how things end. I guess it’s because we all want to believe that what we do is very important. That people hang on to our every word, that they care what we think. The truth is, you should consider yourself lucky if you even occasionally get to make someone, anyone, feel a little better. As my mind drifted to faces I’ve seen before, I was taken to memories of family, of coworkers, of lost loves… even of those who have left us. And as I rounded that corner they all came at me in a wave of shared experience. And even though it felt warm and safe, I knew it had to end. It’s never good to live in the past too long. The future can be whatever I want it to be. And who’s to say this isn’t what happens? Who can tell me that my fantasies won’t come true, just this once?

I'll just cut to the chase: I somehow, someway, suck at endings. I don't think there ever was an ending in any part of my life which did not leave me disappointed. Be it my high school graduation, my last moments in my provincial organization, or my college's recognition rites. After each and every one of it, I end up with a feeling that somehow resembles disappointment.

At first, I thought it was because, like what the quote above said, I build up these endings so much in my head that they can not possibly live up to what I have envisioned them to be. You know what they usually say, "Don't expect, because it'll only get you disappointed." The usual.

So recently, I tried to change my mind set, my approach to these 'endings'. I lowered my expectations, and heck, even attempted to not expect anything at all. I didn't think of any situation, I didn't make up any sequence of events and the like.

But recently I realized that wasn't the case. I still felt bad, and instead of disappointment, I think what I was feeling the whole time was emptiness. There was no emotion, at all. It seems like at every ending I encounter,  I have no emotional attachment to these things that are ending, or maybe more specifically, to the persons involved in whatever was ending. I used to think that no one cares for me, even if I care so much. But now, I feel like it is me who has a problem with caring. I feel like I care too much just for myself.

One more thought. When I looked at my friends feeling the moment of the recognition rites while I was just standing there, a thought popped into my mind. Could it be that the reason why I don't feel any of these endings is that because, there are no endings for me. What do I mean by that? Actually, two things.

First, and the darker thought among the two: There are no endings for me because there weren't anything to end to begin with. To put more detail into it, most people get all these emotions from the ties that they have built with whatever is ending; the institution and more specially the people connected with it. Emotions are on a high because of the bond that they have forged with their friends. How can I feel any of those emotions during endings, if there are no bonds in the first place?

Second, and a much more positive outlook: There are no endings for me because, a part of me, believes that this is not the end yet. So why would I get all emotional when deep inside my mind, even if I am not fully aware of it, I honestly believe that this is not yet the end. Yes, sure, things would change. But they always do.  And maybe, just maybe, the thought that things are always changing makes me believe that things wouldn't end just because there would be changes. Since I believe that things aren't ending yet, there is no ending for me then, and thus, none much of these emotions during such instances.

So which of the two would I prefer to believe at? Well definitely the second one! I guess it is counterproductive to believe at the first one, because really, what would one get from thinking in such a way?

Anyway, sorry for this negative post / rant. I just really needed to get that off of my chest. This is the fifth night that I would be spending all by myself, and trust me, it sucks. I never really felt the sting of truly being alone until yesterday, when I was sick and all, and yet I was all alone. Sucks I know, but hey, you know what they say. Nowhere to go but up!

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Playing on the Background:

Halik by Kamikazee:
"Pagnawala dun lang mamimiss.."

Mariposa by Sugarfree:
"Ayoko ng mag-isa, ayoko ng mag-isa, ayoko na na na na..."

Rewind: Shooting in Diliman

I'm pretty sure that we all have at one point in our lives experienced seeing in TV a place that we are familiar to. It may be our hometown, or a place that we always go to, be it your school, work place, or just a place where you often times hang out. I, for one, gets all giddy whenever I see my school, UP Diliman, on TV, be it the news, or a commercial, or as the setting for a movie or a teleserye (ehem Ina Anak Kapatid, anyone?)

Hello UP!

For this entry, I decided to compile music videos by OPM artists that were shot in the campus. So without further ado, let's start this one after the jump!

Thinking Out Loud: What's Next?

Now that I am to graduate college in a few days (please no jinx!), I am about to enter a new part of my life. So the question arises:

What's next?

But before all of that, I would like to take a look back at the persons, groups, organizations, and institutions that was with me in this six year journey. I'd like to focus on them on separate posts, so, that is "What's next".

At first glance, It looks like I would be making at least three posts. Stay tuned. :D

The Podium: Approaching the Ring!

I am a big fan of the World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE. While many of you might be saying right now how wrestling in the WWE is fake, rigged, or scripted, I won't argue otherwise. WWE isn't supposed to be a sport, it is supposed to be entertainment, along the lines of American Series, Soap Operas, and the like. You watch it for the story, for the entertainment value, for fun. I've been a fan since they were known as the WWF, until the pandas came.

Steel chair! Steel chair! STEEL CHAIR!

One of the main components for the entertainment side of the WWE are the wrestler entrances. It helps greatly in giving a wrestler his character, as well as to induce reaction from the crowd. The best wrestlers often have the most memorable entrances. For this entry, I'll be listing my top 10 favorite WWE entrances. It would be very hard to rate them in any kind of order, so I shall list them in no particular order. I determined this mostly on everything a wrestler does during his entrance; the music, the pyro, the video on the titantron, and everything else. Let's begin this countdown right after the jump! :)

Shutter: Browsing through Pictures, through Memories.

So i was skimming through pictures in my laptop, old and new pictures alike. I decided to post some of them in here, together with some description about them. It really is fun to reminisce sometime, isn't it?

Anyhow, here are the pictures. This would be a rather long entry, so there would be more pictures after the jump. If ever you are in any of these pictures, would be great if you comment down below what your memories are of those pictures. :)

And here we go!

Family first, right? This picture was taken in December of 2011. My tita and cousins from the state went home after..I don't know, 7 years? Though we were missing two cousins, and we really really miss them, it still felt great. Wonder when we would be complete again?

This one was during a Christmas Party in our old home in Makatarungan (MK). It was my home for almost four years, the first four years, of my college life. Endless memories were made within the walls of that home. And seriously, ang papayat pa natin diyan!

This one is after Patinikan 2010, taken in Early March of 2010 in front of the College of Law. Those in black (and red, and green) were us Tangwayers, as we assisted students from Bataan in the contest. Those in uniform were students from Tomas Del Rosario College, with two of them becoming future Tangwayers. Really cool.

(more pictures after the jump!)

On Deck: Sports Thoughts - April 15-21

Just some thoughts about sports for the past few days. :)

Petron Blaze Boosters

So Petron had two games this past three days, against the same team, but with different results. They locked horns with Talk N Text last Wednesday and last night, winning the former and losing the latter. It does sting however as last night was the first game of their best of 3 quarter finals match up. While there may be some questionable calls, specially in the 4th quarter, Petron had their chances, and sadly, they did not capitalize on it, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. TNT just made fastbreak plays one after the other. Some luck also helped TNT's cause (hello that Fonacier three?), but then again, Petron had more than their fair share of chances (Tubid losing control of the ball on a fastbreak attempt, Sims losing the ball to RDO).

That being said, at least it has shown that Petron can definitely match up and beat Talk N Text, even if they have to do it twice in a row. They do however, need to play with the same intensity all 48 minutes of the game. With the way that that Talk N Text capitalizes on mistakes and turnovers and turns them into fastbreak points, Petron cannot afford to have unforced mistakes.

On the bright side, boy oh boy, this guy is really making a big fan of me.

June Mar-freaking-Fajardo. Boy got some moves down low. Amazing footwork, with a touch around the perimeter, and an improving defense and passing. Would love to see him reach his full potential. Would be good for the national team, first and foremost, and for Petron as well. It is plenty obvious that him, and Marcio Lassiter would be the future cornerstones of this franchise.

New York Yankees

The Yankees went 4-1 from Monday to today, losing only yesterday in an extra inning affair against the Diamondbacks. The starting pitching is starting to sort itself out, most of the bullpen is returning to their lockdown mode, and the bats are coming alive, at least against right handed pitchers. The line-up they had yesterday was just painful to watch. Can't wait to have the injured players to return. The team would be crazy deep once that happens.

Speaking of injuries and depth, it is sad to know that the Captain, Derek Jeter, would be out until the All-Star Break. Infield depth is really taking a beating now. Nunez would probably be able to provide replacement level value at short, but with injuries an always lingering issue, it is kind of unsettling that the next on the depth chart is Jayson Nix. Nothing against Nix, but if the Yanks aim to compete for the title this year, they would ideally have more depth. It's not like they have any infield depth in the minors as well. They don't need All-Stars or MVP type players in every position, but they would need someone who would be able to contribute something significant, either with the bat or the glove.

And since I have already mentioned the MVP, I am standing by my prediction that Robinson Cano would win the AL MVP this year, en route to his $200M contract.

Look at that swing, LOOK AT IT!

Coming Up:

Petron goes up against TNT for Game 2 of the Quarterfinals, a win-or-go home game for Petron.

Yankees play the Blue Jays for the 2nd game of their series in Toronto. #HIROK would be starting for the Bronx Bombers.

Real Madrid goes up against Betis early Sunday morning here.

The Chicago Bulls open their 2013 NBA play-offs on the road. They match up against the Brooklyn Nets in this first round 7 game series.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is tomorrow. Practice 1 and 2 were done yesterday, with practice 3 and qualifiers later today. Let's hope Ferrari gets the pole position and races upfront until the checkered flag.

A Super Sports Sunday for me, as all my five sports team are with games. Let's see if I can go five for five.
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Playing on the background:

Bright Lights by Matchbox Twenty
"When all your love is gone, who will save me from all I'm up against out in this world?"

All My Life by K-Ci and JoJo
"All my life, I've prayed for someone like you."

Rewind: After all this time, The Itchyworms are still really good.

We first heard it during this year's UP Fair. Itchyworms performed this song live before it was even released in the market. And in that instant, we became big fans of the song, and we're just again amazed at the amazing song writing talent and performance by the band.

It wasn't the usual Itchyworms though, not the light hearted kind of song like Akin Ka Na Lang, or the "pang-inuman" song like Beer. It was more mellow, but that is totally fine with me. Change is sometimes good, and in this instance, excellent.

It also helps that it is one heck of a music video. Don't tell me that that song, together with the video, didn't even pull a bit of your heart strings. Just a perfectly suited MTV for the song.

This really is a perfect example on why I love OPM. I think it is no coincidence that after this fair, me and my brother seemed to have regained our interest in our OPM collection. See, we (well, mostly him) buy original CDs of OPM artists, as we are really big fans of OPM and we believe that that is the least that we could do to help the industry. Plus, for a collection, a library of OPM albums ain't half bad, right?

So there you go, after all this time, Itchyworms definitely still has it. Have been a fan since their Antipara days, and looks like it is going to stay like that for a long long time.

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As a new part of every post in here, I'll be sharing what is playing in the background while writing my entries, coupled with a line or two from the song/s. It is very rare that I write anything while not listening to music. Obviously for this entry, I was listening to the aforementioned Itchyworms' song, After All This Time. So let me leave you with a line from the song. 'Till next time, thanks for reading The Bakit List!

" 'Cause whatever I do, it's no good without you."