Geog 192: The untold stories of my Team Albay experiences*

 Every summer, groups of 3^rd year standing Geography students are sent out to different places to practice the knowledge and skills they acquired from the courses they have taken. Basically, that’s Geography 192—a 6-unit summer field class.

When it’s finally the turn of my batch to learn outside the classrooms, there were 3 field sites: Adams in Ilocos Norte, Candelaria in Quezon Province, and Ligao City in Albay. I was assign in the latter together with 15 other students and 2 field advisers.

PRE-PRE-FIELD

Aside from the basic geography courses, there are 4 prerequisite subjects to Geog 192. The following are those courses with side stories from my memory.

There is Geog 121 (Landscape and Map Interpretation, aka Fun fun fun!) which by the way has its own prereq courses namely Geol 11 and Geol 11.1 which I had so much fun studying. (Do I have to mention our memorable class field trip in Baler, Aurora where 4 classmates were almost eaten by the rip current while I was transect-mapping wearing my swimsuit with my Geog 161 classmates? PNoy was there while we were mapping.) My super favorite subject, Geog 161 or Principles and Concepts of Land Use, is also one of the prereqs.

Geog 197. Digital Cartography. ArcGIS. 5 units. 10 hours every Saturday. I have nothing much to say.

Last but definitely not the least is Geog 135 (Urban and Rural Geography). I loved this subject as much as I loved Geog 161. It’s probably because they tackle almost the same things, and in fact, Geog 161 is ideally taken before 135.

As I was completing the pre-field subjects, I was praying for a good field site and awesome field mates. I wished for that on Christmases and on my past 2 birthdays. It was an answered prayer.

PRE-FIELD

Second semester hell week was not yet over when our Department called for an assembly and/or general orientation for the field classes. Students were then divided into 3 teams. A week after came a 2-day pre-field seminar. That’s when we discovered that our team will be missing 2 students; we’re down to 16.

Right after that workshop, my group (Team Albay) started planning our strategy, assigned specific tasks, mined data, and bought supplies—practically numbered our days.

What I don’t have to say was that I was exhausted as early as those days. What I always wanted to say was that I hoped to be part of the Ilocos Norte team instead (because of the 55 barangays our location has). What I don’t want to remember saying [to one of our field advisers] was that I couldn’t get a medical certificate that weekend because I was having my period then. What I never said to anyone was that I almost missed Geog 192 that summer when my mom changed her mind about allowing me the very morning of our departure.

FIELD PROPER

Being under the roof with the 2 youngest faculty members of our Department, I could say that our team was the most competitive. As soon as we started data gathering in Ligao, somebody initiated jokes against the other teams and among some team members. Some of my teammates were dubbed as a carabao, a pig, a cow and a horse. We also lost our concept of night and day early to where I made a significant contribution and became a human stress ball as they make fun of me crushing on somebody’s brother.

Every authorize person was strict on schedule that one by one a member lost his/her chance to bathe. Take note, I said “lost the chance to bathe,” no one forgot to, s/he just can’t make time for it. On rotation, some of us were up in the mountains to map out water sources and some were drafting the EP in the day. At night after our regular meeting, everybody would be writing, organizing files and/or preparing the materials needed for tomorrow. In fact, I didn’t bathe the night after I helped organizing the GPS points until dawn for in the morning (just a few hours after my last task) I went walking in the urban barangays for their land use, completed the remaining parts of our sector in the afternoon and edited others’ sectors in the evening and finished at 7am.

Burnt out, there’s no doubt that I malfunctioned out in the field. I was the most intimidating interviewer in our team, worse presenter even. We reported to the City Mayor the night before we presented to the 55 barangay chairpersons, 16 department heads and other important people from the City Hall. The venue was a Chinese restaurant in Lagaspi City, where I peed 7 times before my presentation—that was within 45 minutes approximately. I was so uneasy before my turn that I felt collapsing in my seat. Here’s the thing, I even envisioned a scene where I took the arm of the nearest person to me and cried as I embraced it! I really messed up big time that I practically rendered the Mayor and the rest of the team speechless, and probably angered.

Anyhow, I made time to do unnecessary things too. One of the many was hurting my dominant foot by getting drowned after diving to seemingly shallow waters and hitting a large rock. Although I was dripping wet for more than an hour during our drive back to the lodge and spent 4 days unable to neither walk nor stand properly, I never regretted the time I jumped from the boat.

What I regret not making time for was thanking my instructors. I’m grateful for the first one’s not getting mad for my stupid deeds and for imposing impossible deadlines; indebted for the other’s always praising my performance and taking my side. Had it been any other faculty member, I would have been punished for intimidating the Mayor, been blamed for getting out of the boat with a wounded foot and wouldn’t have delivered anything on time. If it weren’t for the latter’s support, I might have hated myself and/or cried every night due to pressure.

POST-FIELD, FINAL EXAM/EXIT INTERVIEW

Two hours after we alight from the bus from Ligao, Mt. Mayon erupted. I should have known what it meant. I thought that our 2 days off before we were required to go to school and complete our outputs were paradise.

I almost lost my father to an accident the night before I had to go back to school. Lola Medi died on the very day. More than the constant pressure, I was consumed with emotional stress. It was very tiring all day every day in our work place but it was even harder leaving home in the mornings. That was the very reason I was always late; I never had the chance to defend myself for that.

But I needed to be with my teammates somehow. I never wasted the chance to be strengthened with their hugs. Besides, I never wanted to be a burden to them.

TURN OVER

We were the only ones to be graded on time. To my dismay, as soon as some teammates saw those numbers, they turned their backs. Most of us were ‘traumatized’ by the higher authorities, if not disappointed with what they were given, that they wanted to forget everything as soon as possible. So bottom line, our field advisers were left with only me to run errands for them. I was the only one willing to make time to print our outputs. Once, I flew to the faculty center after having a lunch out with my family. It was Sunday and since no one else was there, aside from a teammate who dropped by for a couple of minutes, I had to stay here until almost 8pm. FC was so damn scary at night, more so on a Sunday. I almost asked one of our profs to accompany me in the stairs.

When it’s time to ‘end’ our tie-up with Ligao, I’m still the only one available to personally hand our outputs to the Ligao City officials. Of course, I was with one of our field advisers.

GEOG ASS

My fieldmates’ bitterness continued and I have no choice but to still be on my own on doing what needed to done before Geography Assembly.

I’m glad to be a member of Team Albay. I’m proud to be there through it all. <3

*For further details, please read my field diary. (Please don’t.)

love and other dreams

I witnessed a wedding last weekend. It was out of the town; though I loved travelling, I went home drained.

The bride’s family has been very hospitable and the groom has much resource to host such an extravagant event and spoil the guests. All we actually did was to eat and swim in liquor with the home-made dishes, catered food and hotel room service for three days. Ironically, I should have had the time of my life but since I brought along my distresses, I have been very emotional through out.

Especially during the wedding ceremony. I found it extremely hard concealing my tears as the bride walked down the aisle despite the fast beat wedding march (Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” played). The bride is my only sister’s bestfriend. She has also been an older sister to me. I’ve seen her been happy with her groom for years and I should be glad with this moment. But I cried and my tears weren't even that of joy.

I don’t have the problem with her having her own family. It’s not the idea that my own sister will get settled soon either. I was just jealous that another soul completed its search when I’m still lost.

--

Everytime that I’m being asked about my dreams, I always had to formulate lies to satisfy everyone. I’ll announce that I’ll enter Law school after my undergrad or if I won’t make it in, I’ll pursue any profession in the government related to the field I’m studying. But those are merely future plans, I’ve never really dreamed of having careers or anything for that matter.

I only wanted a family of my own. I’ve been dreaming of a simple matrimony with my true love. Pegged in fairy tales, I believed that I’m going through a lot to be able to prepare for my ‘happy ever after.’ To spend the ungodly hours with the one I can’t live without—someone who’ll never be impatient with my impaired reasoning and won’t get tired of my imperfections.

The house I grew up in had me craving for love. Compassion is the most emotion everyone could ever share under our roof. My parents are just together because they have no one else to turn to but to one another when all else fails. Sad but it made me strong.

--

I kept my earphones on our way home. I conveniently avoided the conservations in the car with regard the wedding and the like. In the midst of my emotional instability, everything is just too much for me to handle.

Nothing Goes Right Lately (written in filipino)

Hindi ako kinakausap ng nanay ko. Umaalis kasi ako ng bahay kahit walang pasok at lagi akong ginagabi. Pero iba ngayon—inumaga naman ako.

--

Sa totoo lang, maluwag ang mga magulang ko sa pagpapalaki sa aming limang magkakapataid. ‘Di kami pinagbabawalang lumabas kasama ang ilang mga kaibigan at wala silang problema sa pagkakaroon naming ng mga kasintahan kahit kailan. Minsan nga lang, kapag walang pera, bawal kaming umatupag ng mga bagay na pagkakagastusan.

Subalit nagbago ang ilang batas partikular na ang mga nakapataw sa akin mula nang nagkolehiyo ako. Duda kasi ang lahat sa kahihinatnan ng asal at pagkatao ko  dulot ng impluwensya ng paaralan pinasukan ko. Pinagpilitan ko lang naman kasi talaga sa UP; mas nais ng buong pamilya naming tumuloy ako sa unibersidad na pinagtapusan ng karamihan sa kanila  Kaya limitadong limitado ang bawat kilos ko; kalkyulado rin ang oras ko—sa ngalan daw ng kaligtasan. At kung matigas ang ulo—o makapal ang mukha ko—‘wag na lang daw akong mag-aral. Pag-aasawahin na lang nila ako tutal doon din naman ako hahantong.

Ayaw akong pasalihin sa kahit anong organisyasyon ng nanay ko dahil marami raw akong responsibilidad sa pamilya. Kahit niya sabihin, alam kong iba naman talaga ang dahilan. Naka-post sa ref naming ang schedule ko upang alam nila kung kalian ako maaring matawagan para siguraduhing walang akong ginagawang ‘di nila alam. Hindi ko nakasanayan, pero ngayon lahat aktibidad ko ay ipinapaalam ko na.

Ang kaso, walang mangyayari sa buhay ko kung lagi ko silang susundin. Isa pa, napakarami ko pang gusting gawin. Sumubok akong sumali sa isang soro, ‘di natuloy. Sumubok ako sa DebSoc; ginagabi kaya hindi ko kinayang itakas at nagkakasakit din ako. Nagkaroon ako ng isang org; makalipas ang isang taon at paminsan-minsang alanganing sitwasyon, ‘di naman ako napatay ng mga magulang ko.

Hanggang sa pumasok ako sa Kule. Pangarap ko ‘to buong buhay ko at ito talaga ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nasa UP ako. Ito nga lang dapat ang pagsusugalan ko ng buhay ko kaso hindi naman iyon ganoon kasimple. Hindi lang naman ako ang mahihirapan, mapeperwisyo rin ang panig ng Kule sa sitwasyon ko.

----

Sumalubong sa akin ang tatay ko pagbaba ko pa lang ng tricycle. Umuulan daw, bakit hindi ko gamitin ung payong ko. Wala akong isinagot, nakiramdam lang ako sa sermong bihira kong marinig sa kanya pero puno ng galit at hinanakit tuwing nagkakataon. Nagtuluy-tuloy na lang siya sa kusina at sumunod na rin ako nang marinig kong inalok niya ako ng makakain.

Umaga na pero mainit sa ang hapunan namin; mukhang hinihintay talaga ako ng papa ko. Ayokong pinanunuod habang kumakain kaya nagsalita na ako, “Galing ako sa opisina ng Kule.” Tinanong niya kung nagsusulat na ako, sabi ko malapit na kapag kaya ko na. Nangungulekta siya ng mga isyu ng Kule kaya inaasahan kong lolobo ang ulo niya sa tuwa sa akin. Naasar tuloy ako nang pumalatak siya’t pinagmukha akong manhid na anak: “Huwag mong ipagmalaki sa akin ‘yang pinagdurusahan mo. Anak kita, wala kang kailangang patunayan sa akin. ..”

Halos mabutas nang pagbalikwas-balikwas ko ang kama ko. Ang sakit lang sa puso ng mga bagay-bagay. Dalawang punto: nagdurusa ako, itanggi ko man, nakikita ng tatay ko.

--

Maka-lola ako buong buhay ko dahil ‘di ako malapit sa kahit sino sa mga magulang ko. Sa pamilya namin, pinakamahalaga sa akin ang lola ko sumunod ang mga kapatid ko, tapos ang mga pinsan ko at ang mga tita’t tito ko. Halos wala talaga akong puwang na nirereserba para sa nanay at tatay ko. Mahabang kwento ng hinanakit.

Masyadong mapapel ang ina ko sa buhay naming magkakapatid at nararamdamang kong ibang bagay—maliban sa pagmamahal at malasakit—ang dahilan noon. Masyado syang mababaw at madamdamin; hindi siya naging matatag na ilaw ng tahanan. Ibang usapan naman ang kaso ng ama ko. Bihira siyang makialam sa lahat ng bagay; sa madaling salita, medyo wala ring siyang pakinabang bilang padre de pamilya.

Parati kong nakakasagutan ang nanay ko, pero wala nang mas titindi pa sa alitan naming mag-ama. Matindi kung sumbatan ko siya. Nagkakapira-piraso ang mga kasangkapan namin sa tuwing pinapainit ko ang ulo ni papa. Mahabang panahon kaming hindi nagkikibuan pagkatapos. Minsan na rin niya akong pinaliguan ng gasolina, hindi ako umuwi sa bahay nang sumunod na dalawang buwan. Ilang beses ko ding ipinagdasal sa iba na lang sana ang naging tatay ko.

Ngunit mas nagmalasakit siya sa akin kumpara sa buong angkan naman. Wala siya noong ikalabing-dalawang kaarawan ko ngunit ipinarating niya sa akin ang hiling niya: na sana habambuhay na lang akong dose anyos nang sa gayon, ‘di maging kumplikado ang mundo ko.

At ngayon, nakukutuban nyang hindi ako maayos sa kinaroroonan ko. Ni hindi niya nga ako nakikita nitong huli pero alam niya ang kalagayan ko maging ang tumatakbo sa isip ko. Binanggit niya rin ang mga salitang kailangan ko upang linawin ang nalilito kong pagkatao.

SPEECH PLAN plus some realizations

I was cleaning my stuff today in preparation for the opening of classes next week. Although I do this every sem break, I was still surprise to see how much of a hoarder I am for keeping every piece of paper I used since I entered college. Those are my wealth; I’ll never have the heart to throw them away.

Here’s one of them, my Comm3 extemporaneous speech plan first sem last, last year. This shall not serve as a warning to the freshies. J

[Some comments inserted.]

SPEECH PLAN

(Speech to Entertain)

TITLE: “Perfectly Imperfect” [YES, YES. I SUCK AT GIVING TITLES FOREVER.]

SPECIFIC SPEECH PURPOSE:

                To entertain my Comm3 classmates and instructor with my rollercoaster life in UP.

STATEMENT:

                By turning my life upside down, UP has brought out the best in me.

INTRODUCTION

I.  ATTENTION STEP:

                Back in high school, I was always told [by my teachers] that there are only two universities in the Philippines: UP and others. Not knowing what the “others “were, I went to UP to pursue my tertiary education. I always thought that I made the right decision, since everybody around me believed that I’m perfect for UP. However, circumstances showed me otherwise—I’m not [perfect] for UP.

[I REMEMBER A CLASSMATE EXAGGERATEDLY GASPED BACK THEN. I SWEAR SHE DID. :P]

II. CLARIFICATION STEP:

                Guys, I’m not announcing my dismissal to this university. I have two 3’s in my TCG already but thank God [OUR INSTRUCTOR NOTED THIS PART AS AN ERROR IN MY SPEECH WHICH HE POINTED OUT WHEN MY TIME WAS UP], there’s no 5. In fact, I’m in good class standing relative to most of my batchmates. [YES, I WAS SO BOASTFUL, MY FRIENDS MADE FACES IN THE AUDIENCE.] I’m just saying that I’m not the best nor the perfect student I thought I was until I entered UP.

BODY

                Let me tell you who I used to be. I used to be the “paragon of an outstanding student”—that phrase was actually written in my report card as my adviser’s comment when I was in 3^rd year high school.

                I’m not bragging. I’m just trying to give you a gist on how I excelled in my academics before. I used to honor my alma mater by winning contests left and right. Reading comprehension contests, also math and science quiz bees. I remember that my [group’s] science investigatory project when I was in first year qualified for the regional science fair. Since I also had the talent in writing, I had a colorful background in journalism. I’ve been to several conferences and I was the editor-in-chief of our school paper in my graduating year.

                Okay, since an outstanding student is “perfect,” I had participated in several extracurricular activities as well. I was a very active student leader. I’ve attended a number of seminars, including the National Youth Congress, and met a lot of big personalities. I even got a nomination to Soroptimist International’s Violet Richardson’s Awards where one of my competitors was Mikaela Fudoling (UPD’s youngest Summa Cum Laude). [I DIDN”T GET THE AWARD BUT I’M FINE SINCE MIKAELA LOST TOO. J]

                So, I thought I had it all. I never knew that I’m yet to experience ‘life’ upon entering college. And I realize that life is not a piece of cake especially when you devote most of your time in UP. It’s harder than you can imagine. I was not able to carry here my personality. I’m not even a paragon for anything. In the beginning I had no friends and for the first time in my life, I felt the need to depend on someone—or something. [AGAIN, THAT SAME CLASSMATE GASPED FOR AIR TO SYMPATHIZE TO ME. I SWEAR I DIDN’T PAY FOR HER EXCESSIVE APPRECIATION.]  I would have to ask questions frequently for do’s and don’ts or else I’ll be lost.

                For example, when I was younger, I was thought to bow my head a little whenever I greet anyone especially those that are older than me. I used to practice that during the first week of classes; next thing I knew I have to refrain from doing it so I won’t be laughed at. It’s so hard to adjust. I’m used to praying everytime a class discussion starts, but as I saw it, it’s never like that in UP—no one is even oblige to acknowledge the arrival of the professor. And a classroom shame of mine was inside Sir Rhayan’s class. I volunteered to answer a question he shoot and as I stood up, I saw astonishment written all over his face. Then he said:”oh, where are you going?” “I’m answering your question, Sir.” Sweetheart, you can recite on your seat.” Yeah, this is my second life already. [I CAN RECALL MY INSTRUCTOR HIDING HIS GIGGLES.]

                Oh, even going home or getting here is hard. I can’t count the number of times I’ve taken the wrong jeepney. Don’t blame me; I have never taken jeepney rides as regular as I did here. [ONE MORE TIME, MY ‘ACCOMPLICE’ REACTED. THAT TIME SHE LET LOOSE AN “OMG!”]

                Those mistakes really ruined my lifestyles. I always plan everything so I would have nothing to worry about. But come on, expect the unexpected. Come to school in dress and you’ll soon be soaking wet with the heavy rains. Bring a jacket and it would be so hot all day. [PROF SAID: “TELL ME ABOUT IT.”]  Well, I shouldn’t be worrying about what to wear but I have no choice; we’ve got no uniform here. Although once in a while, you’re supposed to wear something red, yellow, black or white to commemorate or to express something. So you see, plans won’t give assurance for a better tomorrow. At least not anymore.

[MY SPEECH HAD THEN TAKEN TOO LONG THAT I HAD LESS THAN A MINUTE. I SKIPPED THIS PART AND JUMPED INTO A RATHER RATTLED CONCLUSION.]

                Life really is hard here, not to mention ironic. I consistently ranked 1^st place in a quiz bee in Chemistry, I was even offered a scholarship by a certain university because of that. And guess what, Ma’am Manalac handed me my first ever failing exam. The subject was NatSci1 which tackles Physics and Chemistry. Also I can remember our school paper adviser telling me that I never failed to impress her. I thought I never knew how to falter but Ma’am Mallari proved me wrong. She had given me an incomplete Comm2 grade* for “the uncategorized bibliography of my term paper.”

                Fortunately, not all the ironies of my UP life are depressing. When I graduated, I bagged almost all the majors awards except for the “Class Varsitarian.” I’ve always been regarded as the clumsiest girl around with handy medical excuses to skip PE classes. But now, my highest grade has been in PE. Perhaps it was a giveaway since it’s not really included in the computation of the GWA. I don’t care. I still got flat one. J

CONCLUSION

[OR SUPPOSED CONCLUSION. I WAS SO RUNNING OUT OF TIME THAT I JUST JABBERED A FEW SENTENCES.]

                Isn’t it a wonder how I change everyday? I’m learning to adjust and eventually to finally belong. I mean, there’s no place for the weak here. I should be able to carry myself along with the crowd well. Moreover, I’m not a princess, this is not a fairytale. None of my siblings nor cousins will come to my rescue and tell me: “I’ll do that for you.” Not that I’m spoiled because I’m not. I was just pampered and sheltered all my life before this. After a good deed, I’m given a break. I’ll watch a concert or a gig with my friends. That is such a luxury now. There’s always a need to be productive and a break only refers to the long-awaited sem break.

                And talk about friends, I have nearly half a thousand of them on facebook. That’s social life for me now. Lately, I can hardly talk to anyone from my previous life. Actually, given a chance I’m not sure if I’ll consider it. I mean, they talk about making it in the dean’s list [which, by the looks of them, is effortless], enjoying the privileges of full academic scholarships, and going on movie marathons even on school days. How can I speak of the things that barely make sense to me now?

                Oh well, this is my reality now--a whole new ball game. I’m struggling for existence, no longer for prominence. And I’m starting from scratches. I have to practically fight for my life because there’s no other way out of this situation. Transferring out is not an option. I won’t leave UP and search for some ‘greener pastures’ even if it is a trend here recently. I won’t be like those guys; I believe that only dead fishes go with the current. Besides, I take it from Alicia Keys, if I can make it here I can make it anywhere.

                Oh, I’ve changed a lot and I owe it to UP. Who would have thought that seeing a sad face in my NatSci1 answer sheet would encourage me to do better? I’m surprised to discover that I need God in life 24/7. I’m praying more than ever. I really love the change. I’m accepting my flaws and in fact I’m thinking that they make me perfect.

                It’s indeed crazy how reaching my dreams actually turned my life upside down and inside out. Just when I thought I’m doing all right, I’ll stumble. I’m an imperfect student perfect for UP. It’s ironic and surprising at the same time. Funny, I used to hate surprises. Perhaps, the “change” has taken over me. Life really is a cycle—with ‘change’ being the only constant thing in it.

Before I enumerate my realizations, I just want to share that while typing I encountered a number of misspelled words. That’s still me, in fairness.

I got a grade of 1.75 for that speech. I figured that it was the topic. Going over it now, I feel that it wasn’t entertaining then. Or even now. I don’t know, it’s just too deep for a class to listen to. I recall that most of my classmates talked about eating, drawing or sharing the horrors of their childhood while I took my time to show off. My speech was so boastful. K Another were my gestures. When I was delivering this, my arms were crossed in my front almost the entire time. Occasionally, my left foot stamped. Also, this was way too loooooooong.

BTW, the speech plan that I submitted consisted only of outline. And since we’re not supposed to have anything with us as we speak—and we’re not even supposed to write a speech and then memorize it—I was merely recalling my outline while I stood before everybody.

Let’s talk about the changes. When I made this as was still a Psych major in UPDEPP. There, my past achievements were all I have to as an inspiration. I’m in Geography department now. For the record, I left with my academic integrity still intact. I didn’t shift to make life easier either, although it definitely is. ‘Guess I’m a dead fish.

*Upon completion, I got a grade of 2.25. That was enough to make me proud since most of my batchmates got a 3 or a lower mark in that subject under the same professor.

PS: I miss my Comm3 instructor, Mr. Jose Carlo G. de Pano.

Why not to read this:

I should not give you a crap, but I would.

Why not to write "anytime"
     You're not always inspired, admit it. No matter how perfect you are, you can't always produce some sort of a masterpiece [or even just an article that is 'good enough' for that matter]. It is unacceptable, but sometimes you are not supposed to do anything but a crap. It may be something you have given your heart and soul in to, yet it ended up as worthless as your ingrown. It sucks that a portion of your life is meant only to generate trashes. Like this post.

Why not to contemplate while bathing:
     Bathe to cleanse your external body parts and not to temporarily repent on your stupid deeds. Water is not capable of washing away your troubles, neither. And even if it could, what good is it when for sure you are about to rehash everything?

Why not to learn when to shut up:
     Someone out there is destined to shut you down as you are to somebody else. Don't break the cycle. Most people are born to enjoy the interpolation. That validates everyone's existence. And this is the fundamental law of trash-talking, the counterpart of the golden rule.

Why not to wallow in failure:
     Life is a series of unfortunate events. You can't let a defeat cut the thread, a whole lot more are about to hit you. Open your doors and allow yourself to experience pain 360 degrees. Remember that it is pathetic to be sheltered.

Why not take it from me:
     I'm just blabbering my personal sentiments. Have your own and learn from them. End of discussion. BTW, I hardly practice what I preach.

Impeachment Trial

After less than 24 hours, I hope that the hype has somehow died down.

     The Chief Justice is guilty of betraying public trust as anyone  could and would be. Indeed, that is impeachable. But the trail--from the very beginning--makes no sense to me. It is as if  that the court existed to r degrade the accused and to prove to the public the capabilities of their elected and appointed officials:beyond service.
     In a very conservative nation like ours, an allegation (be it reasonable or not) is more than enough to taint one's reputation permanently. For that matter, it is almost useless putting anyone under legal proceedings since his integrity has been judged negatively; people have already doubted him that even an acquittal would barely regain his honor.
    Although I'm not an expert in sociology, I can say that the first ever completed Impeachment Trial in the Philippines was a highly politicized afternoon drama shown before the Filipino audience whom the entire Session Hall intimidated with jargons that they just immediately chose what to believe in--without paying attention to what is necessary.Moreover, it must have been very dramatic to the spectators that the two-thirds rule was not just observed but exceeded with an outcome of 20 to3 votes, in favor of the guilty verdict. Unofficially, a proof to to this is a poll that surveyed several students some time during the exhibit of the prosecution panel.
     Of course, I couldn't be any credible on these. I'm merely entitled to the generalizations formulated by my simple mentality. The following are the parts of the trial--mainly on its last day--I found remarkable:
    I have no problem with convicting Chief Justice Renato Corona, he has to face certain consequences for the intended deceit.What I do not find acceptable are the explanations of some senator-judges;they were as good as announcing their re-elections by claiming that it is their moral obligation to find the CJ guilty as charged. I almost heard them appealed to the court to alleviate hunger and blamed the instability of our economy to the discrepancies in one's SALN. I understand the proportionality;but they have sent the wrong message about it. Anyone would believe that terminating a corrupt official would put an end to every social problem there is. Their speeches were misleading the people into knowing the law or respecting our constitution.
   Nevertheless, I admire the members of the Defense and Prosecutors' Panels. I also give "Anonymous" some credits for the pieces of evidence provided. He[or she] has indeed played an unconstitutional yet significant role in the hearings. Also,I would like to recognize the efforts of the 49 exhausted witnesses, especially Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco, for their noteworthy imparts.
     Furthermore, despite the the nearly-drained integrity of the CJ, he deserves some praises for requesting total transparency with regard the SALN ofthe 188 congressmen and of Senator Drillon who filed the complaint against him. Also, I pay respect to the Senators who echo the call. But most importantly, I salute those who recognized the irregularities in the articles of the impeachment complaint and related them to their verdicts. Especially to Senator Santiago who have given substantial  arguments before the court on how politics should not be used in implementing law;to Senator Marcos who stood proud of his legal responsibility (to conscientiously  convey his judgement) and of his ability to foresee this trial's possible implications to the separation of powers in our democratic republic; and to Senator Escudero for acknowledging the fact that at the end of the day, the starving population would still be in the same state in spite of everything. Moreover, I give it to those whose personal sentiments spoke for the general public.
   All in all, Philippines has recorded another historical achievement.I hope that it won't repeat itself.

PERSIAN 10

     This summer (2012), I have taken a class to officially learn  the Persian language. Of all foreign language courses offered in our university, everyone seems to be asking why Persian. I don't exactly know what has gotten into my mind when I prerog for a slot, actually.And honestly, there were days when I couldn't even pull my senses altogether to learn the language. But after the semester, I felt that there's nothing about the course that I would ever regret.
    My Persian 10 class was handled by Mr. Mehdi Emamdoost. He is an Iranian working for the Embassy of Iran based here in our country. I have four classmates: my blockmate Kath, Riva from the College of Music, and Giesil, a current Arts Studies major. All four of us were not particularly fond of speaking in a different tongue but Mr. Emamdoost managed to keep us enthusiastic throughout the class days.
     The course is not a typical tedious "unoable" elective. It requires a reasonable amount of effort in exchange of a good grade. We made several researches on Iran's history, literature, famous people, and culture and presented them in class. The aim was to acquaint us to Iran that we'll have the proper idea about the country whose language we were studying. Personally, I believed that the goal was rightfully met as we are noe\w obsessively wanting to visit Iran as soon as we could.
     Since there were just the four of us in the class, we regularly had conversations in Persian which stimulated us to be somewhat good Persian speakers. We did it every meeting and it was such a very good practice.By the way, we had free books for references and reading materials courtesy of our instructor.
     Writing in Persian alphabet was the best part for me. The strokes were done from right to left [perfect in my case since I'm a lefty]. The characters are not a bother for memorization. Not to mention that the output seems like a work of art.
     The greatest thing about enrolling in Persian 10 is that you'll get a chance to travel to Iran for 45 days, all expenses paid by their government! It is a perfect motivation for mastering the language and appreciating their culture. Just pass an interview after taking the course and experience Iran first hand! (Wish my classmates and I good luck for our interviews!)

Kath and I

PS: Kath, Riva and Giesil, I'm so grateful to have you for the past few weeks. I would have not survived summer without you! Kheili mamnoon! <3

Riva and Giesil