The Graduates

On a typical Saturday morning, as my mom turned on the T.V. and with nothing really interesting to watch on ABS-CBN, she tuned in to Cinema One. THAT always wakes me up on a Saturday morning (I sleep on the couch) and because I couldn't go back to sleep anymore, I,well, spent the first few hours of my day on a movie released years before I came to Earth -- The Graduates.

Very timely indeed, it's March! The movie starred the stars of 80's. A graduation ceremony opens it and a class reunion sets the ending -- and what's in between? Of course the "what happened to who after graduation".

- Snooky, a rich, and intelligent young lady, ended up planning to put up a business with her boyfriend, Gabby, a rich kid who got everything he wanted, who by the way once tried to go illegal with smuggled guns. 

- Lani put up her own restaurant, supposedly with her best friend Dina, whose dad was accused of estafa. 

- Selling all kinds of good to anyone, Gina ended up marrying a doctor to whom she 'sold herself' and had a good life.

- Ronnie stayed in his talyer fixing cars, and breaking them to claim money from the insurance company where Orestes worked as a clerk, and earned more from his under the table commissions.

-Joel, the simple guy, by the end of the year received an award  for a successful project on peace as an executive assistant of their barangay.

- Though highly qualified with her diploma, Maricel settled on baby sitting, left with no choice because no company would hire her.

- And the leadership awardee, William, refused to work abroad and work under foreign companies with the belief that Filipinos should not be 'colonized' again, and spent his year working for their University's annual.

...................

A new batch of graduates, thousands of them,will be there marching (or have marched already) with a little fear perhaps but full of hope for their future. But really, "what will happen to who" after graduation?

My fellow instructor asked me once,"What would you feel if you see your former student, who finished a 4-year course, selling stuff on the street?" I immediately said, "At least, he has a job, and he's not a bum." And when I actually saw a former student (he's my student in Philippine literature) on the street selling bananas, I wondered, what happened to his degree? Was he able to use it in any way? Or is it just that there are very little opportunities for him? So what was the 4-years (or more) of being in school for? What was his diploma for? (Has my subject Philippine literature helped him in any way?) Was it his teachers to blame? The university? The government? Him? ..........And more questions in mind..and I guess I have even more questions for those who were left unemployed after graduation.

A quarterly data of the government statistics office reported that there are 2.92 million unemployed Filipinos in the country, and this rate is among the highest jobless rates in Southeast Asia. And 17.8% of these are college graduates.

Yes, these are just statistics, but this is an alarming fact. If those who finished college cannot have a job, what more are those who didn't even reach high school? Or should it be, do you really have to have a college degree to land into a job? Is the 4-year college program an enough training to make us prepared for the future? Or should we be just thrown into the ocean and choose right then and there whether to get drowned or learn how to swim?

After receiving their diplomas, these graduates will have to go face this what they call "real world". A lot may not be fully aware that it's harsh out there. That their diplomas are NOT enough weapons to fight the "battle" of survival in this brutally sweet world. Their dream bubble of a "good life ahead because you've got a college degree" might suddenly be poked right in front of them. Reality check.

There's nothing wrong about being idealistic, but one cannot escape the reality, so they should strike a balance between the two. No one knows after all. They might go big time, or maybe not. They might go illegal, or maybe not. And they might probably be part of that increasing percentage of college graduates who are jobless, or, maybe not.

For now, let them march their way to receiving their hard-earned (or maybe not) diplomas. Congratulations, Batch 2012! :)

Cue: Aida March

I Won't

photo credit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 

When the funds are low and the debts are high, 

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 

When care is pressing you down a bit, 

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, 

As every one of us sometimes learns, 

And many a failure turns about, 

When he might have won had he stuck it out; 

Don't give up though the pace seems slow-- 

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than, 

It seems to a faint and faltering man, 

Often the struggler has given up, 

When he might have captured the victor's cup, 

And he learned too late when the night slipped down, 

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-- 

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, 

And you never can tell how close you are, 

It may be near when it seems so far, 

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- 

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown 

Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin

I remember writing a paper as a final requirement for my PanPil 17 (Panitikang Pilipino at Kulturang Popular) class about Bob Ong, being a 'pop culture'. By then, he had written I think four books (ABNKKBSNPLAKo, Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ang mga Pilipino, Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas,Alamat ng Gubat). Then it was followed by more books, and just before 2011 ended, he (she?they?) released the 9th Bob Ong book, Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin. And as usual, I took time to read it.

The cover looks like a typical Precious Hearts Romances pocket book. And it would surely be thought to be one, except for the picture of the 'couple' with the guy with big muscles and the girl which looks like a typical Filipino aswang.

And I guess the cover itself almost says it all. It is a book, basically about Bob Ong's presentation of the 'reality' on Philippine TV and film industry, presented in three major themes: action (with comedy and fantasy), horror, and romance. The book is divided into these three parts:

action, horror, romance

I can't give a detailed description of what's inside this book. Bottomline of it is that, the Philippine media (primarily TV and movie) have already become too commercialized, to the point that they have lost the essence of a good TV or movie or song or book material. Everything is based on profit, based on popularity. They make the viewers stupid and shallow with the kind of material and acting they provide, yet the viewers love it. It also discusses the Philippine materials (film, songs, TV shows, books, etc) as a copycat from Hollywood, giving it a Filipino touch, but still remains a copycat. Yes, we've got really good artists - directors, script writers, writers, graphic designers, actors and actresses, film makers, song writers, musicians, singers - yet most of them are not appreciated, or not even given the chance to be appreciated as the "big" names overshadow them. Quoting Bob Ong:

"Nawawalan ng silbi ang magagaling na artista dahil napupunta ang mga trabaho sa mga star na may pinakamaraming fans! Pinapatay ng komersyalismo ang sining na siya ring dapat bumubuhay sa mga negosyante at ordinaryong tao sa industriya natin!"

Another good point discussed in the book is the less readers produced by this generation. Because of computers, internet, TV and other forms of popular media, only few people (particularly young Filipinos) spend time to read. And I mean, read a good book, and read a book written by local authors. There might be a pretty good number of readers still, but they read the foreign. Thus, Philippine literature might be dying...

"Bayani pa rin ba si Rizal kung walang nagbabasa ng Noli Me Tangere? Panitikan pa rin ba ang mga papel na may sulat kung walang taong magbabasa nito?"

The entirety of the book might be seen as trying to reflect on what is happening in the Philippine art. But looking at the smallest details of every line delivered by every character (the book is written as a script), one will see all other issues that hunt the Filipino people, and the Philippines as a whole. Full of wit and satire, this book is a wake up call for everyone. But at the end of the day, we ask ourselves, "What do we do now?"

No,no,no I'm not Anna Go

I have always been mistaken (as in AAAAALWAYS) as my sister Anna Loraine Go. You know those people (my Mom's friends way back) who would always tell me, "Uy, Anna, kumusta na?" "Uy, Anna ikaw na ba yan? Ang laki mo na." Then I would always give them a sweet smile with "Ay,hindi po ako yun, Ate ko po yun." :))

So I thought of listing down 5 things about ANNA GO ( to prove them I am not her). :))

Here it goes....

1. She's a very bibo kid - always part of different intermission numbers, always a participant of different school or inter-school competitions whether it be extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, with her sweet and pleasant smile (obvious ba? Uhm, konek?) and her talent and I.Q.

2.  She consistently topped her class. Well, no need to say that she was always the first honor in her class since she entered school. (Ikaw na! :D)

Plus she was a Papa's girl. :)) 

3.  She's our Achie (oldest girl in the family) but her height doesn't seem to agree. Haha! Peace. :))

4.She is a beauty queen. :D She had won various beauty pageants (Ms.Palaro, Ms. ARASOF, Ms.Nasugbu) and was always a favorite muse of different basketball leagues, with her Chinita beauty and oozing confidence and poise. :)

And most importantly...... 

5. She had a boyfriend, and she now has a husband. :)

We're different, totally different. I can never be her because she's the ONLY Anna Go. Happy birthday, Achie. I love you always and forever. :))

33rd "Monthsary"

The idea is from a dear friend Gracee, who celebrates her 1st month in her new job today. (Congrats!!) And I realized that my first day at work was also on a 15th. It was June 15, 2009 and today is  my 33rd month in BatStateU. :D

That's too long to compress in a single post, too many memories to write (but I really can't write them all) so here are some of the high lights (which were documented) of the past 33 months of Maa'am Val. :D

Dear job,

Happy 33rd monthsary!! :)))

with my students (2009-2011)

BERSEC Team,  July, 2010

President's Night, October 2010

Dart Tournament, December 2010

Mr. and Ms. BatStateU, March 2011

Prof Ed class final video shoot, March 2011

Graduation, April 2011

CTE Summer Outing, April 2011

Fun Run, August 2011

w/ CON, General Christmas Party, December 2011

w/ Ms. Eleonor and Ms. Rhea, Sir EJ's bday, December 2011

HRM Function, February 2012

Let's count more months, and more years. I want you to know that I'm deeply in love with you.  :)) More love!! :D

-Val

Tangled

Today, I was amused and amazed by the magic of a lesson my students taught me: Learn WHEN TO HOLD ON, and WHEN TO LET GO. :)

photo credit

The activity was simple, it's basically the Doctor Quack quack Filipino children of our generation usually played. My students formed a circle holding each others' hands, right hand to right hand, left hand to left hand, and the goal is to untangle themselves. There were two groups with 14 members each. It took time for both groups to finally be untangled. The enthusiasm and excitement was there at the beginning, but towards the end, some were determined to finish it, some wanted to give up. Different personalities were revealed: there was the leader, the impatient, the persistent, the cool ones, the mediocre, and the apathetic, among others. :D You could just imagine how frustrating it was for them to do the activity. After around 20 minutes, both groups were able to form new circles. :) 

But before they reached their 'success', each group had to come up with different decisions: One let go of each other and started all over again, and the other held on and continued untangling their arms. Both, though, succeeded few minutes after making these decisions.

It was supposed to be about group communication, group dynamics, and team work. But the issue of letting go and holding on caught the interest of my students more than anything else. What if group one decided to let go, and do it over again, and group two decided to hold on and continue untangling themselves, would they still succeed? What if the 'leader' of the first group gave in to what some of the members wanted, that is to redo everything? And what if the 'leader' of group 2 did not listen to the other members saying, "Let's just do it again?" 

This, however, was not just a matter of 'destiny', but a matter of choice. Group one had to let go two times and redo everything before finally, they decided that this time, they had to hold on until the end. Group two had to hold on, and believed at first that they should follow the basic rule of the game: no one lets go of his group mate's hands, before they finally decided that it's time to let go and start all over again. And they were untangled.

Perfect timing. :))

Sharing a Piece of You

"Service is the rent we pay for living."

Marion Wright Eddelman

 

 

It just feels so good to be able to give a part of yourself to other people. And for that, my deepest gratitude to the College of Arts and Sciences for giving me the opportunity to be a faculty extension volunteer. (Lakas maka-speech nito. Haha!)

 

Who wouldn't want to be helped in times of difficulty? And who, wouldn't want to lay a hand on those who are in need? For the record, I am not rich. And one doesn't have to be rich to be able to help. Money is not the only thing that you can share. Unfortunately, in this "material world", money talks. But though money is ,yes, I must admit, important, having it is not everything. Perhaps, lucky are those who have the money to share to others, to provide for others' needs, to give help to those who are empty-handed. They are those who are more often than not, always given the opportunity to reach out to others. Politicians, celebrities, businessmen, just to name some. But the unsung heroes are those who give a piece of themselves without having to be as rich as those I mentioned. They are those who are given the opportunity to give out their service, to share a little of their time, and a little of themselves to provide not for others' material needs, but for something more than what the eyes can see. But whether you have the money or not, what's important is the heart that you have for giving. 

 

I'm lucky to have the opportunity to serve, to a small community in our town. It's not as big as other projects like "Sagip Kapamilya", or, "Kariton Classroom". But as stated in our certificate (not so clear in the picture though): "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something."

 

'Til next August, team CAS! :)) 

No I'm Not A Singer....

.... but I sing Whitney Houston.

The Greatest Love of All, All At Once, Run To You, Dance With Somebody, I Will Always Love You... Who, in my generation, wouldn't know these songs? And who among all the greatest and aspiring singers in the country wouldn't know Whitney Houston? I grew up listening to these songs in singing contests, or in programs in school, or in the classroom where my friend, Natasha would always be asked for an intermission number. I would always wish I could sing these songs in public; or I'd wish I could sing, period. Unfortunately, not all wishes come true. :| 

I was in Grade five, and I vividly remember sitting on the stairs beside the stage while rehearsing for a play. My classmate was also rehearsing for an intermission number, and she sang The Greatest Love of All. For some reasons, the song seemed to be so magical that I kept on singing it in my mind that day, and I was able to memorize the lyrics just by listening to my classmate for one day. And after that, I would sing it at home, trying to perfect the entire song, reaching all notes, and embracing and feeling all the emotion of every single word of the song. I loved the first lines and I might be very young that time but I also believed that the children are our future.. :)

Then there were Run To You, All At Once, Didn't We Almost Have It All, When You Believe .. and a long list of songs I would sing in the bathroom, or in my mind, or in the karaoke. All these inspired me to sing (my wish still hasn't come true though). But more than being inspired to sing, I have always been inspired and touched by the message of her songs.

It's been more than a month since Whitney passed away. There have been a lot of speculations about her death, and a lot of negative publicity as well. People talked about her misfortunes, her addiction to drugs, her mishaps, her flopped concerts, among others. But more than all these negative things, people, I guess of all walks of life, remembered her for her songs, her soulful singing, her inspiration to all aspiring singers, and her contribution to the music industry. She had touched the lives not just of the singers, but also those like me, who might never be able to reach the right notes, but will still sing my heart out with all her songs. 

And I................................................................. will always love you, Whitney. :))

Due Tomorrow? Do Tomorrow!!

I'm a big fan of cramming. And I love procrastinating. My mind works best when I'm under time pressure. Ideas pop out my head during the last minute. You know, the adrenaline rush. :)

I was always "Honda". (H) On-the-dot. My papers were submitted almost always at the exact time of deadline. If extended, I submit it on the deadliest deadline. (except for my thesis!)

When I started teaching, I thought I couldn't be like that anymore. I should learn how to utilize the time given to me to do paper works, reports, and other assigned tasks. I should focus on my work, work,work. First few months I was successful, but,nah, I couldn't be consistent. I still love the word LATER and TOMORROW. :| 

The Haciendera/Heredea Turns One :)

My uber cute and uber kulit and uber smart goddaughter, Cara Denise Neri-Buenaverntura celebrates her 1st birthday on March 23 (party will be on March 24)

 

*Photos courtesy of Mark Cruz

Photo Friday

Few months ago, I HAD to learn the basics of photography for one of my classes in graduate school. I enjoyed shooting anything and everything I found worth shooting. Haha! And here are some of my first shots on my first attempt to produce some (hopefully) good photos. :))


... Angels

.... Philippine jeepney!! :)) (miniature)

... and they're moooooving

... Fishy-fishy-fishy!!!

:))

She's a mistress,now what?

The death of Congressman Iggy Arroyo has become a headline for the past few weeks in and out of the country. But more than his death, more than his affiliation to the former president and first gentleman, and more than his being a person, the drama between his common law wife, Grace Ibuna and his legal wife, Aleli Arroyo has really been the "talk of the town", specially on Twitter:

Yeah, I know these tweets I collected are all (almost all) against Ms. Grace Ibuna. I wanna say that I have nothing against them, but, I just can't help but feel really bad about how easily we people judge others just by what we see on TV, or hear from other people, or read on the news. For some reasons, all these hurt me. I am not in any way related to the Ibuna's. But I am a daughter of a "Grace Ibuna". I am a daughter of a mistress.


......
And now I wonder how much pain my mom had to go through on my Dad's death. Now I wonder how many "tweets" of hatred my mom received all the time she was with my dad. I wonder how she faced, or maybe is still facing all the judgements. And I wonder how she feels now about the Grace-Aleli issue.


We never talked about her being a mistress. Well, we never talked about it seriously. I mean, we joke about it. We make fun of the things we had to go through as illegitimate kids. Like when we say that we're more beautiful than our 'other' siblings so it's ok. Or that my mom was still my dad's master even if she was just a mistress. And stuff like that. Sometimes, I want to take courage to ask her how she really feels about the issue. About her being a mistress. About us being illegitimate children. About this society which has been judging her and putting her down just because she fell in love with a married man. I can never take courage to do that, we might just both break down and cry a bucket of tears.


It has never been an issue for me, or the rest of the family (at least not that I know). I just really can't help it but feel bad (or maybe feel mad) at those who explicitly say things without thinking how much they could hurt a Grace Ibuna, my mom, a mistress.


......
I don't know the two "wives" in any way except for those things the media show about them. I have my own judgements and biases as well. I respect those opinions of others. But the sad reality is, this country's "freedom of expression" is almost always abused.


And the Grace-Aleli drama continues...

The Many Faces (and a pair of cheekbones) of Keith

She is....


      ...... a child

      ...... a princess and a goddess

       ...... a model-wanna-be

      ...... a balot-lover  ...... a Stitch huger   ...... a Glee fanatic  ...... a sleep addict

       ...... a nurse

        ...... a volunteer and a friend

      ...... a little sister, an Ate a Mimi

      ...... a daughter

...... a wife

  ...... and a soon to be MOM. :))

Happy birthday Mimi. I love you forever and ever. AMEN. :))

Because old brooms know the corners... :)

You know those friends whom you have known for such a looong time, and have not seen for quite a long time,too but the friendship still seems so fresh and so exciting? Those whom you can talk to about anything and everything (literally), like jumping from one topic to another? Those whom you pay a surprise visit and would always make time for you wherever they are? And those who make you wait for a couple of hours (because of their long time of travel) and make you complain but still make you feel really happy as they arrive? Well, luckily, I have them.

Le, Robert and Ronan at the UP Lantern Parade, 2007

Last Friday was an another faculty development seminar in Batangas City, for BatStateU's 11th Charter day celebration. It was a whole day seminar but I had my final exams the next day so I just went to Manila straight from Batangas City. I didn't know it would just take me almost two hours to get there so I basically had plenty of time to spend that afternoon. I went straight to UP, stayed in the library and studied for my exams met up with Robert and Ronan, ate somewhere in the Shopping Center, and talked and talked and talked. :))

We spent like four hours (including the almost one hour of waiting for Ronan) of nonstop walking around the campus, eating and talking. Politics, impeachment, devolution, media, plans, virginity, relationships, boyfriends, girlfriends, students, high school, prom, former teachers, allergies, food, Maginhawa, Moon Leaf, (oh,this is an endless list), I mean, everything. As in EVERYTHING. :))

That was a refreshing conversation with them. I can actually spend the whole day talking to them, for we never have dull moments. We talk about anything that pops out our minds, and everything that slips out of our tongues. We can be serious, hilarious, ridiculous, spontaneous. And I love it. They are the kind of friends whom I don't see that much but seem to know me from head to toe. They're those who know the Le, and not just the Val. They're those whom you can have the craziest, most senseless, but still most senseful conversation ever. 

Well, that's a very good night-before-a-torturing-final-exam, spent with two of the most INTELLECTUAL (naks) friends I've got. :))

............

And here are the tweets after that meeting:

'Til next time!! :))