College Get Together

Last week, January 14 to be exact, me and my College classmates had a get together after a month or year of not seeing each other. Though there were only four of us but it was great to have communicated with them once again. We talked far and wide not just about lovelife, work but more particularly on the current events such as the impeachment trial on CJ Corona and Sendong event of which the four of us shared the same sentiments of hating the YELLOW administration. We are also in cahoots with each other on despising what our local government has done with regards to improperly allocating the food, money and other resources for the victims of Sendong.

Our girls night out was all about fun and intelligent discussions on the government and how will we be able to help especially so in preventing to have a sequel of Sendong. Oh well, it was a blast! Totally I had a great time with the leap year girls Gemma and Cyril as well as with best bud Glenice. Although we may have drifted apart for years but we haven't forgotten each other. Now that we're reunited, there are really tons of things to catch up and I am glad to be with them once again. Here are a few pictures I took to reminisce the moments we had at Iliganon's private karaoke room and at Zoey Cafe.

Biboooooooo ang polsci. Sikhai! (Nazi salute style) Hehe. I can never forget those cheers during CASS days thanks to JR's creativity. LOL! I do miss my other college classmates. I do hope they are okay and that soon enough, hindi lang apat kundi the entire class shall have a reunion. It'll be exciting! We might not be complete when we had this unplanned get together but I hope more of my classmates will join especially this coming Feb. 29. The leap year girls big day. Waa!! I haven't gone to the beach for months maybe because of the Sendong tragedy but the girls are planning to celebrate their birthday at the beach. It's been three years already and look how time flies by. I am just overwhelmed and lucky that our paths have merged and created something beautiful - FRIENDSHIP.  ♥ =)

Mr. Unpredictable

The most awaited moment after the New Year celebration is to be with my closest girlfriends on the first day of class and have dinner with them at Jollibee and chika just about everything with them all. Yet, out of the three gal pals I've been so closed with, only one came with me but no worries. I still loved the company of a true friend like Richie. I know the others are quite busy with work and stuffs but we'll all be reunited for sure.

Well, to start off, Richie and I were definitely giggly about updates from our lives, Sendong, school and especially matters of the love department. It was such a joy sharing with her of the things I so wanna share with my sisters but couldn't do so because they might not approve of it and it felt quite awkward to have it talk out with them. What is even weird is I feel more comfortable being with my non-biological sisters when the topic shifts to talking about boys and the likes. Haha! 

And the moment when we were kind of talking about our lovelife, I felt so happy for my girlfriend since she's starting to move on with her last relationship. She now finds another love interest and she hopes just like any girl is praying for that this one she is crazy about might be the right one for her. 

Then all of a sudden, during our ever so-loud laughter and bruhahas, we kind of babbled about reciprocal love for she and I have such similar situations. I asked her about her opinion on my recent "kilig" and she thinks there's a special thing going on between me and the guy, let's just call him, Mr. Unpredictable. :) 

The fact that both of me and that dude felt something special for each other even after so many years has passed by, Richie and I are certain that there is indeed a "compromise of reciprocal concessions" between Mr. Unpredictable and me. Haha! Inspired by Secured Transactions class, I guess SO. 

I really hope that Mr. Unpredictable will still sweep me off of my feet and stay true to his feelings for me. It wouldn't take a scientist to know what's actually going on between us for even a 6 year old kid knows that when you looked me in the eye, there were sparks in it and that for me,  it is undeniable that for years, that same feeling I get from the very first time I fell for you is the one that gets me everytime I look into those eyes. 

This was the feeling that is the hardest to deny. Your smile, everything about you even the thought of your name alone creates a sudden upsurge of different emotions, the fast beat of my heart and no matter how I try not to still feel that same feeling for almost eight years now can not be controlled. YOU are still the one. I still feel you the way I felt when I was just 15 years old.

I don't know if you are reading this right now, but I am pretty sure if you do and if you still feel the same way for me after all those years, I will just be here waiting for you to come back and let's see where destiny takes us.You are still my very heart and life. Always. But recently, you have been missing in action and it's kinda bothering me at times. Hmn.. the last moment we chat was amazing but why the sudden disappearance? Hey, Mr. Unpredictable, are you still there? ♥ =)

Puto Maya On A Gloomy Saturday

It's raining again. Can't help myself but become traumatic that that Sendong event might occur anytime again soon. Rain-Phobia. There are still evacuees here in a school nearby and it's sad that up to now they have not been relocated to houses that are supposed to be managed by the local officials here in Iligan. I hope things will be better for them soon as well as for my sisters who have also been victims of said calamity.

So today, my family had an early chika (talk) while taking our breakfast eating puto maya (another form of rice cake/kakanin) and a cup of hot coco. This is the best food on a rainy morning while they are sharing their experiences of TS Sendong meantime I've been munching the delicious puto maya. Hehe.

Unlike suman (see previous post), puto maya is another kind of the classic Filipino rice cake of which the rice is in color violet. And just like suman, it has the same process of cooking and taste as delicious as the former. It's one of my favorite ultimate comfort foods especially in this kind of weather. Look it! #LetsEatFilipinoFoods ♥ =)

Year End Countdown for 2011: First Times & Freedom

KASAMA Team!

Last year was such a joyride. The ups and downs. You name it! I have to say it has been a very busy, fun, liberating, shocking and absolutely one helluva scary ride. I say busy 'coz I've won the position as treasurer in the College of Law's Student Council last February but sad because I've to give up my online job because I have not been active on it especially during campaigning time. Thus, I was jobless for a moment but not for long.

More so to in February, my MKP family held a first ever sportsfest and it was also the first time I have played bowling. It was great! Also, we did a feeding and outreach program to some communities in Iligan. We went to some schools and in Bantay Bata to cheer up and give goodies to female kids who have been victims of rape. It was something I've always wanted to do which is to help other people in their ordeals in life. It was a gratifying feeling to have helped them & made them smile because of our lil efforts to make their day special.

Precious, Zam, Jehan, Glen and Me :)

By March my batch, the so-called "Fortiores in Fide" is now, for one year, a certified member of Mu Kappa Phi. And in the same month, I have concluded my second semester at law school - FINISHED. I may be an irregular student and surely I will  not be able to graduate on time but it doesn't matter so long as I will be diligent in my studies and be optimistic still. Like what my friend told me, IT ISN'T A RACE. Just do good at school and aim for the top :)

The creative Taurean/Earth Snake that I am and like I said, I will not be jobless for long. I have been hired as a legal researcher/secretary at Gandamra Law Office in the month of May. But then again, I realized the work was kinda stressful and I had to be more focused on my studies for next semester therefore leaving me jobless again. It would have been a pretty awesome job knowing that I am a law student and the experience would have been grand. It would have helped me honed my skills in the said profession very soon especially making docus on memorandum, pleadings and the likes. It was actually a great working place the fact that my bosses are my fraternal brod and sis in Mu Kappa Phi and I feel comfortable but sadly it wasn't good for me to work there for full time and I am concerned about the fact that I might have lots of absences at work due to my being an officer in the student council too.

My take on the pixie-look. Haha! Me with the beautiful ladies
Monique, Joyce and Niel at Malibu House,
Malaybalay, Bukidnon. :)

Still, in the month of May, my being so busy has now commenced in full throttle. Such as talking about traveling and a few contests to attend to such as the ALSP event at Bukidnon with brod Nader and ate Joyce. It was a great experience and again, I met new faces and traveled alone without any family member to escort me there, FOR THE FIRST TIME.

After that said event, I felt a bit freed from having to stay in Iligan for years now. It is time for a new adventure! It was like breaking monotony. I've indeed, started to put my best foot forward on this year.



And so back to reality, before the start of the class on June, I thought I was jobless but that was just for a few months since I got back to teaching at MTIM. They called me on the phone and hired me again after teaching for second semester last January. I never knew I'd be teaching now in MTIM for a year and a half already and it feels so good. I just hope they will offer me more units to teach not just the English subject but my forte per se, which is political science. During this year's event I've met  so many faces and became close to them such as Safa and Seddik, who through, partly my influence, has become instructors also of the same College.

DK, Vienne, Joyce and Me at Manila Gateway.

Then on June to July, I together with some professors and law students, I went to Manila for the first time to attend the PBIEL Seminar. It was quite exciting for again, it was another first time for me to travel the capital city of the country. It was my first time to ride on an LRT/MRT. It was quite fun but dangerous at the same time since alot of people are on the train and I think it's where most snatchers are looming to steal anything they could get taking advantage of the scenario. Oh well, new experience begets new friendship. I got really acquainted with the other law students and learned something from the seminar as well. Again, freedom is here to stay! Plus, it was also the time when my mother bought me a netbook for the sake of this seminar. It was pure heaven! Haha! :)) 

Ate GM with my MKP buddies Glen, Zam and Raffy :)

On September, I met my sister in-law, Ate Gay Marie (GM). She's the wife of my brother Junjun. A true blue Davaoinian. She's also sabay like my Kuya (big bro). Though for her short stay here in Iligan, I've already learned to like her. We strolled her to some of the nice spots in Iligan with some of my closest friends. My family loved her for she reminds us of my elder brother. Soon enough will meet each other again with their lil angel. Hehe. It'll be another addition to our already big family. I can't wait! ;)

Still on September, it was also the month where Ate Anne got hitched with her long time boyfriend Kuya Gerald. Ate GM, my brother and I were invited but the lovers weren't here in the Philippines for they're still at Saudi so I had to act as their representative per se. Their motif was the color red - LOVE! I am with her other STAR-CM friends Ate Rose & Clint, Ate Jonalyn and the others of whom I forgot the name. Hehe. :)

Now here comes the month of October where I've been so preoccupied at law school. The horrors of Atty. Lanto's subject on partnership. Having to deal with assholes y' diablo disguised as human beings the moment I decided to run for school politics. Deym! May Lord God grant them forgiveness of whatever scornful things they've than and may they change for the better. This enriching experience have definitely warned me who to trust and who to stay away from. Poker-faced syndrome is a must and I have somehow managed to learn the art of it.

Also, to stray away from law books for awhile, I have decided to buy and to collect John Grisham books. It was another avenue to motivate me at law school. It was yet another influence to make me love more what I will soon become. At least I've had something to add in my very own bookshelves in my mini-library upstairs.

To continue the privilege of freedom given to me by my beloved mother, in the month of November, I have now joined the bar operations committee. Again. For. The First Time!!! Haha! I was with great people and being surrounded by them motivated me to push forward with life. I was again back in Manila and this was another great experience to treasure. It has helped me loved my soon to be profession, THAT MUCH. For I have quite figured out the small details about law school and those sorts of stuffs. It made me appreciate what I'll be doing soon as an administrator of justice, as a lawyer, of course.

Then all of a sudden, Sendong hits Iligan City on December. Just like that! The scary journey I had being an officer is that same feeling which drastically haunted me when alot of people died and many houses were damaged at dawn on December 17. It's was unbelievable. We never thought Iligan could experience such tragedy. It was the first ever that tons of casualties and properties have been juggernaut. Even my sisters who lived in Orchids Subdivision and in Lambaguhon have been victims of this tropical storm. I am just grateful to the Lord that they've survived this calamity. We could not imagine the things they have experience on that day the fact that seeing the aftermath of the flood was way beyond our expectations. It was an instant ghost town. Totally wiped out! We were hoping we could have celebrated my Dad's birthday on that day but what was to happen next was astonishing. Lives were taken and things that were in the way of Sendong were all destroyed in a blink of an eye. Dreams were crushed and hearts were crying. 

But on a lighter note, "UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY" occurred out of this unforgettable battle, whether due to Mother Natures wrath or be it a man-made calamity in itself. Iliganons and those from CDO received help and various donations from different parts in the country. We've witnessed the spirit of bayanihan irregardless of the fact that you are rich or poor, a Christian or a Muslim. There were no boundaries. Everyone even those who have been victims too have helped other victims. Therefore, making each of them a catalyst for positive change in the aforementioned cities.

Truly it is painful to see those people who have lost everything, whether material or losing a loved one. Others are up to now, still haven't found the missing bodies of their family members. I am just thankful that out of this unimaginable experience, my family is in good hands. And that a positive thing has happened because of this event. I've in the process, matured into another level. I have come into good terms with my sisters whom I haven't been in total contact with for the past months/years. The hatred inside my heart was also totally wiped off. That deep seated anger finally subsided. It felt like that burden I have carried for a long haul has now finally been unloaded. 

Indeed, blood is thicker than water. I can say I now have peace of mind especially so that beginning today I am starting to rebuild the damaged relationship I had with them. Each of us may have our faults with each other but, if God can forgive the sinners then who am I not to forgive my own blood. 

Sendong's wrath taught me a lot of lessons. I forgave. I loved. I cared. I was able to extend a helping hand to the victims by doing relief operations be it in my individual efforts or with the help of my colleagues at law school. It was my way of thanking God for saving my family through that raging storm. It feels like everything is renewed inside my heart. It felt like we just landed on a new territory while on board on Noah's ark. A new beginning awaits as we welcome the year 2012.

When Sendong left Philippines, the hatred I've felt begins to vanish into oblivion and the secrets I've carefully concealed for years have now been let out of the bag. I've managed to open my secrets to my mother when it comes to matters of the heart. It felt great. I felt light. I felt so open. I felt so safe. It was freedom. It was amazing to have shared my emotions with my mother now that she gave me the permission to be in a relationship for my 22 years of existence. Haha! I am a bit pressured but I'll just go with the flow. Only God knows what my fate will be. I lay it all in His Glory. 

And ow, since we're talking a lil about my lovelife here, then maybe an old flame can be possibly rekindled? Haha. THAT I have yet to discover as 2012 unfolds. Question is, "Will this year of the water dragon be in favor of my soon to be blossoming lovelife? Or will it stop me from  a terrible heartache?" It remains to be unknown. I am scared but again, together, let's find out. Hang on tight, you! It'll be another roller-coaster ride for us. Hehe. ♥ =)

By the way, Happy New Year! Happy New You! :)