Fr. Tabora's Birthday

THE TERRIBLE ADVICE

Being aloof offers one hell of a deal. You are able to keep yourself free from any form of ‘outside intrusions’. Unfortunately, that certain feeling of personal security is often short-lived. Some people try to break the barriers and to collapse the stable walls you built like it’s their some sort of calling or moral obligation. These 'trying-to-help' people as they call themselves ultimately ruin the preservation of your inner tranquility and intrinsic need to be alone. They argue that they’re just concerned and they want to reach out… but for a highly standoffish (sunggo!) individual, there really is no need for that. Oftentimes, people seem to showcase excessive amount of care that isn’t really necessary. Anytime of the day, for instance, as you sit alone reminiscing the happy moments of your past, you’ll be surprised to have a friend approach [disturb] you and throw in the really irritating introductory question, ‘May problema ka?” After that, they will insist on you to answer all their questions until you end up falling on their traps and sharing sentiments. Grr… I really get pissed when this happens… it’s like you just fell on some incantations and hypnosis and you really have no choice but to tell everything. The thing is you’ll realize how stupid you are long enough for your listener to spread rumors about what you shared. Where’s the sense on privacy in that? Sigh. I share whenever and to whoever I want to. I have fully grasped the idea of how individualistic, composed and reserved I am… and this is the reason why I seldom want others to show so much care for me (though sometimes I appreciate it when they do). My reluctance to open up is driven by what other’s call ‘after-effect’, which includes people [wrongly] assessing the situation I am in, judging the appropriateness of my every decision, and giving out unsolicited advices which would often confuse me rather than help me clear my thoughts and burdens. I simply find listening to other’s advices less effective. I don’t know why I trust my own instincts more than others’.

THE AWARDEES

Ladies and gentlemen, let us all welcome, Ateneo de Naga Univeristy’s pride, the Business Management Honors Program graduates of 2008:

Ma. Michelle Abiog
CUM LAUDE

April Arcilla
CUM LAUDE

Michael Arevalo
CUM LAUDE

Barri Niño Lacbay
CUM LAUDE, ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

Jennilyn Ludovice
CUM LAUDE, ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

January Luzada
CUM LAUDE

Cherry Vie Saballegue
CUM LAUDE

Jesus Tibi, Jr.
CUM LAUDE, ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Katrina Tordilla
MAGNA CUM LAUDE, ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

A round of applause please...LOL. Tanu garu dai kamu nagtutubod na awardees sinda? Hmf.

THE VERDICT

Uhm. Yesterday, the case filed against my classmate has been closed. Guess what? She won! Whoohooo! That’s just what she and the class needed... lesser burden and lesser things to worry about (well, especially now that we’re all graduating). No more public apologies… and no more shameful accusations. Name’s cleared and all were at peace (okay, not yet but pretty soon, I guess). Yehaa. Guess we’ll be marching our way to the stage with pride and honor after all (not that we’re guilty or anything). Hope those who were so judgmental (uhm… those who aggressively acted even without laid down facts) learn that they’re nothing but sore losers in the quest for truth.

HER MAIN MISTAKE

Once, during the Graduation Awards Committee interview, Jing asked me, ‘Why do I seldom see you with your friends, Mike? You always mingle with Batch 7 and you rarely tag along with Jan and the rest anymore.’ Then, instantly, I answered back, ‘Tanu Jing dai taka barkada? Why do you exclude yourself from my circle of friends? Kaibanan taka baga.’ Then there was a moment of deafening silence. I realized that Jing never really treated me as her ‘barkada’ all these time. I’m a complete stranger to her and an intrusive visitor in here own imaginary world. It’s about time (even too late) to treat her the same way. =P

So this is how it’ll end

One sunny afternoon of March, Tropang Ulupong was once again united for the Graduation Practice. We sat all together on a single row alphabetically arranged based on our surname. At that moment, I felt the real tension between each one of us. SO this is how it’ll end… the clique members are in conflict. Tsk Tsk. So much for the four long years of friendship. Sigh. When we were in first year, a lot of people realized how close we were (I guess they just envy us). Just then, an upperclassman uttered the words, “You’ll start united but end up divided.” At first, few of us took the statement as a fallacy. By then we believed that no strong catastrophe can ever set us apart. As I march together with this year’s batch of graduates, I realized that this conflict will never be resolved. The issues have grown so big that no other cure can ever mend the hearts of those hurt. Michelle waged war with me for some childish reasons. I set myself prepared for what she could possible do, but her aggressive maneuvers were never anticipated. I was deeply hurt by the street-lingo-ish verbal attacks and total discrimination. She has proven herself the queen of all back-stabbing and oral face-to-face frankness. Then goes Miguel, fighting so hard to join the 2008 graduates. He’s also overshadowed by pride and not so used to the begging and kneeling. He was in conflict not just with his personal principles, the teachers (who serve as his major obstacles) and the entire college department. He started a conflict with us, his former business partners: Cherry, Michelle, January and me. Upon the majority’s decision of dissolution of the partnership, Miguel took off on his own (by manufacturing yema and/or by earning through Internet blogs), I set up my own business (candles), and the other three made their own (Polymer Clay Accessories). Miguel’s business, unlike the former two, didn’t go perfectly as planned. With other commitments on some organizations (like Ateneo Debate Society Remontados where he was the president), Miguel found it hard to cope with his business. To have a fully operational business for at least four months was a major requisite upon graduation. That’s why no one knows whether or not Miguel sits with us on Saturday’s Graduation rites. Sigh (lets keep our fingers crossed).

(Part of me feels guilty on what had happened to Miguel. Even though he was such an apathetic partner, it was like he shouldn’t have been just… dumped. It was like out of the blue, we took off on our own and we managed to start as immediate as possible. He was so innocent (in fact TOO innocent that he never cared at all) when we were still partners at Soyworks and even when we decided to dissolve the partnership. It even stunned him when we said it’s over. The reason why he never got serious on his business was perhaps his reliance on his comfort zones, and his lack of preparation… these, we took away just like that. Sigh.)

Going back. The next conflict lies between our one and only Magna Cum Laude, Katrina and the all-time love birds, Jun and Jing. The issue has grown so extreme that it even involved legal intervention. I really don’t want to dwell on who’s who and what’s what. I feel like I’m in no jurisdiction to disclose any information especially now that the court handles it. Let’s just say that it’s about accusing someone he is not guilty of. Or maybe, about the good thing about apathy… keeping your mouth shut and your opinion reserved so no one will suspect you’re ruining the reputation of someone in authority.

So this is how it’ll end. We will sit an inch closer to each other with the predominant feeling of indifference. All the good times are now gone; the alliances during exams, the usual class’ lunch gatherings at some Restos, the overnight party and excursion at Barri’s, and the all the bonding moments at Xavier Hall and bull session adjacent to the church. Sigh. At least all ten of us got an award. Nine (or eight) are graduating Cum Laude, and we’ve got Katrina as a Magna Cum Laude. That’s honor over friendship. Maybe, that’s fair enough.

(I wrote this not with the hope of resolving the problem. I just wanted to feel its intensity.=P)

FUJITSU here I come

A few months ago, I took a shot at the Fujitsu. After a series of interview and a three-hour long exam (basically with a lot of ‘nosebleed’ calculus and computer concepts), they told me they would call me anytime the following month. Recently, they just did. They wanted me to process my application and eventually work with them as soon as possible. Honestly, right now, I’m still at lost on what to do. Considering other options like Accenture (though pending), Banco de Oro (Main Branch in Manila) and Sutherland (just waiting for my call), would it be best for me to choose Fujitsu?

Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused information technology and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting device technologies, highly reliable computing and communications products, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position us to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for our customers' success.

Did You Know?

• Fujitsu is the world's third-largest IT services provider and Japan's market leader.
• Fujitsu and Fujitsu Siemens Computers together are among the world's top five providers of servers.
• Fujitsu customers include nearly half the Fortune Global 500.
• Fujitsu innovations have garnered over 34,000 patents.
• Included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and FTSE4Good Index Series, Fujitsu is recognized as an IT industry leader in sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Mum said that it would be okay if I choose to work for Fujitsu. My friends were also in favor. But I still don’t know. Sigh. Maybe I just have to grab this opportunity and see how it goes. After all, I like computers... Wish me luck guys!

More Pictures

THE LAST SUPPER
2007 Peñafrancia Festival… Somewhere in San Felipe.

ACCOMPLISHED ETCH-PEE
JCCI-Marketing Seminar, Richie Fernando Hall, Ateneo de Naga University.

THE REBIRTH
End of Recollection Session at Mater Ecclesiae, Pili, Camarines Sur.

THE EARLY BIRDS ENTER THE DRAGON'S LAIR
Five Minutes before the start of Tabirara’s Class… Shhh..

THE GLUTTONS
The culprits behind the missing donuts and Zest-O juice drinks for snacks.

AS THE BELL RINGS
The Church’s bystanders… Photo Op! ^__^

PONDERING ON WHO GETS EATEN FIRST
Movie trip at Kai’s… Frightened by the cannibal-eating-human scene of the movie FEAST.

STRANDED BY THE TYPHOON
Xavier Hall Stage. Shivering and trembling.

WHEN WE WENT CAMPING
Enchanted Kingdom Photo-Session with January. First Year Bad Acting.

E-MALL TRADE FAIR
The most unlikely traders.

NEDA ESCAPADE
First Stop for the Day. BMHP-Batch Four Manila Invasion.

Sayonara New Found Friends

Wow. This is the end of the line for me. Next week, I’ll be graduating and be officially unemployed. Tsk Tsk. I just hope the world will welcome a newcomer in the cruel reality of business world. Just as I’m about to leave it all behind: the usual school assignments, the harsh professors, the university buildings and ambiance, and the school security guards who often forbid me from entering the school if not in uniform, I can’t help but think of my new found friends who were just starting college. These are the friends I knew for less than a year… and I, just like Apz, wish we’ve shared more time together.

I will never forget Anna who was my neighbor (I didn’t know that she was) and is my constant text mate. Anna is a fragile lass who deserves a lot care and love. She is everyone’s best friend. She never runs out of problems… particularly in school, family and love life. She is the first girl to ever scream at me out of anger. She is sickly and frail, but so energetic when she’s with friends. She keeps a lot of secrets because others really trust her. She knows how to give advices and is very dedicated towards work (SA) and studies. Everyone will agree that she’s a beautiful woman in the making. ^__^

Then goes Mike, my godson. He has chosen me to be his godfather about a year ago during the acquaintance party done at the beach. He is so reserved, choosy when it comes to friends, follows whatever he wants even if others oppose it (like joining Days). He has his own sets of principles that I honestly don’t understand. Once, he auditioned as a housemate in the Philippine Edition of a reality show called Big Brother... and it really surprised us all! We’re complete opposites when it comes to line of thinking, but in the end, we respond to situations the same way. Mike, as he said himself, carries a strong devotion to his pride and arrogance (just like me LOL). He got an amazing appeal that makes girls go ‘ahhhh!!’ and which made him hook some of them (bad).

Then, Carlo, a young lad with a distinctive uhmm… chocolate complexion (yummy!). He is always on the go and is hilarious. There is never a dull moment when I’m with him. He never stops to make others smile. He got an amazing charisma in befriending others even on first sight. He is hospitable (he would offer to buy me Pizza Bread and Four Seasons Juice, or even give lunch treat over their house). He is an amazing dancer, choreographer (once a PE dance instructor), cheerleader (ABBS, during Intramurals). He knows how to have fun, and devotes time to study. In fact, he was among the group who won 3^rd Place in the recently concluded Regional Business Plan Competition. Wow!

Kookie Monster. She is the most soft-spoken girl I know. She excels basically in every subject, but I am highly amazed with her skills in math. How cool is that? I once had a crush on her for being really firm and proper. She is always in the serious frown, which often make others rethink about joking around. She’s a bookworm and a good poet and writer. She once made Louie a (laminated) poem for his birthday. She, in contrast with her silent character, loves rock: FOB, Red Jumpsuit, Vanilla Sky, Blink182, Dashboard Confessionals… name it, she listens to it. This girl really rocks! (Thanks for the One Tree Hill DVDs, by the way).

Ambisyoso ng Ateneo Xavier Dormers

Just Wanna share This...
Sooo FUNNY...^__^



Where's Barri?

Princess Hours Filipino Version

Princess Hours??^__^

Trust Issues

(not about condoms)

Why do I find it hard to trust people? Sometimes, I keep on wondering what is it in others that make me doubt their intentions. I often ask myself, why I hold back every time I try to interact with others even when I’ve been with them for a couple of years…

Recently, I was interviewed for the graduation awards by the school committee. We were 14 interviewees, 13 of them, except me, were presidents of various organizations in the campus (that’s why I was wondering why I was there… a mere honorary member of two to three orgs). When I came in the dungeon room, I was nervous, especially since everything was being videotaped. Then, the panel threw me a question about my weakness. I paused for a while and started to think if I will answer it with my usual ‘answer’ (a memorized response intended for my job interviews). In that case, my answer would have been ‘being too perfectionist… I always aspire for excellence and set high standards for myself and for others… and bla bla bla…”It was, according to my English teacher, a positive weakness (???). I, however, answered differently. I said, my greatest weakness is giving trust to others. And now, I regret answering it that way. It’s completely negative in all perspective.

I am not a loner. I am very much adaptive to the environment. I easily mingle with others and am very friendly. But there’s just a part of me that seem not to believe the genuineness and truthfulness of others. I keep on thinking that one way or another, these people, who I’m considering as my friends, would then betray me in the long-run. I want to be prepared when that day comes. It is safer to have impersonal, aka professional, relationship with others than be so emotionally attached to them. I’ve been betrayed a number of times, and the feeling sucks. I don’t want that to happen again. I decided to rethink my principles and change it for the better. I’m a whole new Mike now… ready for anything.

I never regret the kindness and hospitality I am bestowing to others. I’ll remain calm and serene, just the way I used to. Just don’t be overshadowed by my coolness and care. It has limitations. I am a fighter who can and will stab others’ back if they push me to. So, scared? Don't be... just kidding... Frontal thrust is more manly... ^___^

I miss SoyWorks

The SoyWorks Major Product Line:

Dinosoy “Taho with a Twist”