Striking back

Its almost four months since my last entry. Just bear with me, im coping from busy work schedules and lots of class homeworks and case studies. I have no longer the luxury of time to keep you updated on whats happening and whats running on my mind.

BTW, let me introduce to you Della Maga, my saviour and my companion. She will keep me online always.

Keep you posted right after this semester ends.

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Day One in UP

I attended my first bridging course on Basic Accounting for non-accountants. Again I was late. When was the last time I promptly entered my classes? And office? I hate mornings because I hate to wake up early. I love mornings because I love to snuggle on my warm pillows with Noodles and his gang on my feet. Oh mornings, you are making my day so hard. I can’t stand being pressed against 8:00am.

Accounting. I told myself this is the real thing. I know it’s totally different now when it is already doing decisions on your own, unlike before you were send out to school just because it was the right thing to do. I don’t even understand why I was in school wayback in MSU and in NDDC-HS. I don’t even got the point why I was an engineer, when in fact, and again for so many attempts choosing an engineering job, I landed in a job too close to be far on my field. But that was before. Im re-living my life now on my own. I entered the room and I went directly to the front seat.

Nosebleed. To the nth level. Malay ko ba sa pinagsasabi ng lecturer. I felt dreamy and snoozing after an hour. But at the end of the day, I managed to balance Assets equals Liabilities and Capital. Without the remaining centavos. Duh!

It was day one and as quoting Yami, “nalilo ako utok”.

Next: Financial Management. I love this, I can see now myself being the tough financial consultant of Aboytiis Lang. Well for now tiis lang talaga muna…

Bye for now, Ricky Lo is waiting for me at my doorsteps.

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Moving forward

Master's Degree. I passed the entrance examination. What a great relief to an engineer who doesn't know how to solve age and work problems and doesnt know what mobocracy means.

Don't you know what pushed me to go back to school? Silly as it may seem but i wanted to have a portrait hangin on my parent's home's wall of pride, a picture of a man dressed in a black graduation gown holding a wide smile, just as like my brother's and sister's framed pictures. Hope this time, I wanted to march with papsi and mamsi, and hope this time i'll no longer belong to the shy pages of the yearbook. And maybe this time I can say, graduate na ako. Hirap pala yung kulang kulang.

Welcome me UP...see you this June.

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The first time ever I saw your face

Originally sung by Roberta Flack, David's version was too romantic that almost melt (my) heart. Imagine an emo rocker singing his heart and soul, what else can you ask for in this true talent?

I thought Simon gave him a difficult round when he chose this song for David. But I was wrong. His version was fantastic and almost perfect. Here's the romantic song...

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies, my love,
To the dark and the empty skies.

The first time ever I kissed your mouth
And felt your heart beat close to mine
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
That was there at my command.

And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time my love
It would last till the end of time my love
The first time ever I saw your face, your face, your face, your face


American Idol will conclude a minute from now with the showdown of the two Davids. I could not wait to watch.

Go on David...rock my world.

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My Death Card

May 17, 2008. 11:00 pm at the windy Mountain View Park. The higher elevation with a perfect view of Cebu's city lights.

This was my first Death Card. But nope, I was not read using the regular tarot deck. The person who made the reading was even a complete stranger to me. Jane was a participant to our Psionics I, it was her first to be with the group. She didnt know me, neither me to her. I was helping facilitate their workshop on ...

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Pit-os

"Straight Ahead' leads me to this almost end of Cebu City. This is the colorful and "blooming" facade of Riverdale Community developed by Crown Asia. I wonder why there was no written distance on it. I was deceived by their signage!

The place seems to be scenes from my daydreams...very idyllic and captivating. It is set on a mountain top overviewing Cebu...the lush green environment is refreshing...the model units are so charming. I wanna retreat in this tranquil place...

Lesson learned: Just go straight ahead. Just straight ahead. Life has many surprises. Be surprised too.

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The next American Idol

David Cook. The Next rockstar sensation. David is a pure talent, more than just the voice, he has "it." He never missed to surprise viewers every week and no dull moments with him; he knows how to re-invent himself and showcases who the real David is.

I would be surprise if he will not be the next American Idol.

BTW, he was not included on my top 6 forecast when the final 12 was selected. Thats the good thing in him, he knows how to convince me to watch him each week and eventually have me as his fan.

I believe this will be a battle of the two Davids. I will not be surprise also if David Archuleta will win. Definitely he can sing, and has personality but one thing i hate in him: he was the same david when he started the audition. Simply put, im bored with his old antics.

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Bad Realization

Beachfront reception during Aynee's wedding. 'twas my first time in (H)inopacan, Leyte (as in Hindang, Hilongos and Hormoc). This was the fellowship of the heavy weight carrot cake: Marchae, Kristin Dust and beside me Snerry Jake.

Now i realize ang pogi ko pala. Sorry guys, i told you NO TO FRENSTER, that's why im posting it here. Toinks.

Oooppss...Norald was behind the cam. He is the Lord of the Cake.

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A wedding story

"The trouble with some woman is that

they get all excited about nothing, and then marry him"

-Cher

Best wishes to you!

Catch her on: http://thestorynook.blogspot.com/

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Astig ng MSUAN!

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) yesterday announced that 667 out of 1,175 examinees passed the Mechanical Engineer Licensure Examinations given by the Board of Mechanical Engineering in Manila and Cebu this April 2008.

The PRC also announced that the results of two examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations.

The results were released in one working day after the last day of examination.
Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will start on May 5, 2008 and end on May 20, 2008.

The following are the top 10 passers of the April 2008 Mechanical Engineer Licensure Examinations:
1. Ronald Lagumbay Hidalgo, Mindanao State University-General
Santos City, 91.80;
2. Benjer Albaran Acosta, Mindanao State University-General
Santos City, 90.60;
3. Chanly Lanaja Callano, Mindanao State University-General
Santos City, 89.70;
4. Kenneth Genela Reuyan, Cebu Institute of Technology,
89.55;
5. Lee Aldrich Rimando Rimando, De La Salle University-Manila,
88.95;
6. Generoso Tebordo de la Cerna, Cebu Institute of Technology,
88.50;
7. Mark Benson Hernandez Yamat, Mapua Institute of Technology,
88.45;
8. Ralph Ian Empeno Lagunay, Mindanao State University-Iligan
Institute of Technology, 88.25;
Garry Quirigo Tercero, University of Cebu,
88.25;
9. Joseph Lester Felicilda Galindo, Mindanao State University, Iligan
Institute of Technology, 87.90;
10. Bob Lester Rimando Rimando, De La Salle University-Manila,
87.50.

The top performing schools with 10 to 24 examinees during the April 2008 Mechanical Engineer Licensure Examination are:
1. Mindanao State University-General Santos City (100 percent) all 15 examinees passing.
2. Central Visayas State C.A.F.T.-Tagbilaran (90 percent) 9 of 10 examinees passing.
3. University of Sto. Tomas (79 percent) with 11 of 14 examinees passing.
The top performing schools with 25 to 85 examinees are:
1. Batangas State University-Batangas (98 percent) 45 of 46 examinees passing.
2. University of Cebu (78 percent) 40 of 51 examinees passing.
3. Cebu Institute of Technology (73 percent) 36 of 49 examinees passing.
Meanwhile, the following successful examinees garnered the 10 highest places in the Certified Plant Mechanic examination:
1. Dexter Dumlao Galinato, Cagayan de Oro Colleges,
81.70;
2. Joseph Adame Dalde, Mindanao Polytechnic State College,
78.90;
3. Boy Ruztan Doctor Tanieza, Technical School,
76.05;
4. Caryl Gamale Luzon, Mindanao Polytechnic State College,
75.85;
5. Melody Ann Eco Britos, Mindanao Polytechnic State College,
75.55;
6. Philip Barcela Aranzo, University of Nueva Cacere,
75.35;
7. Arsenio Afunggol Villarico, Camarines Sur State Agricultural
College, 74.60;
8. Harold Kenn Desierto Dumadag, Mindanao Polytechnic State College,
74.10;
9. Berlyn Gamale Luzon, Mindanao Polytechnic State Collge,
73.95;
10. Dandy Almoite Labuga, Misamis Institute of Technology,
73.75.

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Do not blink

First on Stealing Minds

And now, after a year, Thou Shalt Not Blink. My mind was stunned.

Ever since I was a kid I had great fascination on magical tricks and illusions. More than just a plain entertainment, tricks are very amusing…amazing.

The 2-hour special contains new tricks than the pilot episode last year, and more interviews with his celebrity barkadas. After his every tricks, my head is left with lots of questions…., Bearwin didn’t fail to make my eyes wide open trying not to blink even just for a second. Whoaa!!!

But here’s one thing I wasn’t satisfied in his presentation: his attempt in teleportation. They say it was (probably!) the first on Philippine TV for a Pinoy to do it. At the back of my mind there was still a question…was it really true? Single shot camera? Ewan.
But even then, my salute to you Da Bear! Yahooo!

Hope you have watched it. And by the way, he is the brother of Mark Meily who directs the Camera Café.

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The Peep Show

I though it was a 30-seconder ad in a late night show. But hey, it was so unique and hilarious! Imagine a star-studded cast doing a two-to-three line acts. Comical. Satirical, Fast-Paced.

The show's unique format sees a single camera on top of a coffee vending machine and for four minutes, various characters working in an office talk in front of it about people they hate, office policies they love to break and other funny situations.

I want more...coffee!!!

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The birth of Minadanao's new lifestyle mag

Here comes "m."a stylish, first-ever glossy lifestyle magazine that talks about Mindanao and showcases its peaceful, progressive and modern side. Forever young Ms. Margie Moran graces the cover page. What a great start.

Cant wait to grab a copy of this! It surely made me more proud Mindanaoan. Taga Mindanao ko bai!

Kudos to cr8ve minds, inc. for this new baby! Im proud of you Jay. I still remember those time while we were on our way back home in Gensan discussing concepts and contents of the mag. Now you have it.

Explore more...http://www.m-mag.com.ph/

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bleh!

This site is under construction.

Red is busy with the goings-on of his life. He landed a new job with the same old company. Internet use is more restricted and it slowly kills his blogging urge whenever boring times sink in.

He moved to a new home, a spitting distance from his office. Since he started the day one in his new job, he always comes late in the morning. Old habits resurrected. He loves his homey room with a buddy.

Meet soon Calix, Noodles, Q, Dumdam, Cofi, Lote and Maria Faustina Blancaflor. They are under his blanket.

More stories next time. Red is just around the corner.

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GRENADINES: Gensan's first Executive Village

This is a new Executive Village (from Crown Communities) which is just a stone's throw away from our house (at the back of San Isidro Barangay Hall). Prices range from P0.965M - 3.67M.

Heres a briefer:

A project of the biggest housing developer in the country, The Grenadines will be the first middle-class residential development in this sunny and tropical southern city. Aptly Carribean-inspired, proposed two-storey houses will come in rich and colorful hues amidst gardens of palms and other tropical plants. Complete with first-class amenities like clubhouse, swimming pool, multi-court and multi-purpose areas, playgrounds, promenades and pocket gardens - likewise a first in GenSan - it will make living more classy, convenient and fun. What more, all the other city conveviences such as shopping malls, markets, hospitals and schools are all within a 3-kilometer radius or just less than a ten-minute ride away.

Just click this link to know more: GRENADINES

If interested to invest on this, contact me at

0918-47-99880 or 0922-87-99880.

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For the Records:

1.) Again, I was the second to the last person who checked in at the counter. I dont have any time problem since I left my place 3:30 pm, no traffic along my way and my flight is 4:45pm. On my mind, I still have a lot of time. I was almost running and rushing to get on board.

2.) According to the Cebu Pacific ground crews, check in time is one hour before the scheduled flight.

3.) We arrived at Davao International Airport through Cebu Pacific 25 minutes ahead of time. Calculating back, they must have closed their counters 25 minutes before the final boarding. Supposedly (and usually) we will be in Davao by 5:30 pm, but we arrived around 5:00pm. This was all the reason why im running and rushing at the terminal...again.

4.) Dont follow what I did. This was the second time it happened to me. I am fortunate enough i wasn't denied to get on board. The last time, I was the last person to checked-in, and the last person to enter the plane before the ladder was pulled down and the door was closed. I should change my time calculations next time.

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HOME...again

Bad trip talaga ang AirFell. Jake's flight was delayed for almost an hour. I left Mactan through CebuPacific around 4:15 pm, while Jake must be flying an hour after through AirFell. But that was not happened. It was delayed for reasons Jake doesnt want to know more. It really sucks. What was supposedly one hour difference on our time travel, it turned out i will be waiting for him for almost 2 hours at Davao International Airport. Whew. I should have brought a book.

So Jake arrived around past 7:00 pm. Thanks Mommy Mishel fetched me at the airport with her new car and suggested we have to find something to eat while waiting for Jake. So we drove off to Damosa. Uy nindot na sad didto sa Market Basket. I missed Davao, this place is totally different by all means from Cebu.

Its almost 12:00 am when we arrived here in Gensan. Jake's brother Dennis insisted na ihatid ako sa bahay. And the very first thing na inatupag ko dito sa bahay....my computer. I missed my computer.

Im tired. I should take a sleep. Tomorrow is the start of my grand vacation. I should enjoy every hour of my stay here.

There's no other place like home. This is where my heart is. I may be lost for a long time. But my heart will always yearn for it.

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Game Over

This is my last day today here in what I considered my first-ever job after I graduated 5 years ago. My table mirrors my mind: papers and plans scattered along with trashes, my computer monitor heavily adorned with yellow post-its almost shouting my "to-do's". This is the break I needed.

Instead of rushing to the deadliest deadlines and turn-overs, I just sat here along with my keyboard all alone yet composed. I don’t want to stress further my mind.

I could still remember when I went here in Cebu, eager and full of hope looking for my first ever job. I was not surprised when I was hired, for it seemed I knew already that they should get me in their company. (ooppss…bikil) I grabbed the opportunity of giving it a shot since it was my first then, for the record. And besides I will be working in what I considered "under my career list". I grabbed the starter rate they offered. Later to found out it was not worth it.

It was job briefing and orientation on for the first day. But it seemed I knew already the bounds of my works just in my few days of stay in the company, then boredom started to creep my mind. And boredom breeds boredom in the next few months. And in the next final months.

Yun lang napagod na ako. Change work naman. Kaya heto…this is my last day. I had a lot of plans in my mind, and I should start to work on it by leaving this job. I'm not happy anymore.

See you Gensan! I miss Baktas. So much.

BTW, my appreciation goes to all people whom i worked with the past year. I learned a lot. And I am happy to say I grew....a little!

-red

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The true MAN[W]OOD

Hold your breath...Isn't this amazing? With this ultra gigantic size he would feel all women are still virgin. I'ts no longer a story of squirting but I guess it would be a high-pressured faucet-like spurting.

Have a good and gagging laugh today.

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MY BEST 6

This is just a wild guess: idols that will make it to the top 6. I am a huge idol fan since then and this season showcases great talents. David Archuleta could make it to the top 3, as well as Carly Smithson. Thanks God Danni Noriega was out of the top 12. Ramielle should perform the best that she can to outlast these 6 guys, but i doubt it...sorry for Ramielle fans. Anyway, she's a real cutie..and sweetie.

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Way Back Into Love

[From the movie Music and Lyrics stars Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore.

Every line is penned straight-forward

yet witty and poetic...go ahead sing and feel this song]

I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed

I've been lonely for so long

Trapped in the past I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away

Just in case I ever need them again someday

I've been setting aside time

To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love

I can't make it through without a way back into love

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine

I've been searching but i just don't see the signs

I know that it's out there

There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light

Not somebody just to get me through the night

I could use some direction

And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love

I can't make it through without a way back into love

And if I open my heart again

I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end

There are moments when I don't know if it's real

Or if anybody feels the way I feel

I need inspiration

Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love

I can't make it through without a way back into love

And if I open my heart to you

I'm hoping you'll show me what to do

And if you help me to start again

You know that I'll be there for you in the end

Oh oh oh

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A dose of a thing called Love

It is an inspiring story of loving, loosing and the pains of moving-on based on a best selling Irish novel. Set on a a picturesque and lovely Ireland, this movie does a fine job of yanking on the heartstring. Its a sure tear-jerker.

Moral of the story: Continue to live life...and seek happiness. Duh! so corny. I must admit i cried a lot. Dare not watch this for you who dont know what love is.

P.S. This is not Gabby-Sharon's movie.

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A dripping glass-full of water

This was my final resignation letter which I e-mailed to my bosses AB and CD last February 28, 2008, exactly one year and 9 days since I was accepted in the company Aboitizland.

Sir:

I could no longer serve better the HNT for ultimate reasons you were also aware of. I had already extended my patience beyond its limit, and I am afraid if I will stay further, it will only disorient my perspective and rob off my sanity. I was amazed I had worked here over a year, but it was so unlikely of me.

This has nothing to do with AB's declaration last Friday about me given the post on LC, for this was unplanned and I was just waiting for series of events leading to this drastic decision. There are parts of my job that I could no longer capable of, like the legal matters that most of the time gave me severe headaches. I am always distracted by these; hence I could not effectively perform some of my daily duties and functions. I already exerted all my time and effort, but it seems it wasn't helping.

I am sorry for this. The only reason why I stayed up a little bit longer on my job is that I had great and very supportive superiors. Working here does no longer give me a sense of fulfillment and achievement. It has been told that working here is very challenging; I highly disagree with this idea. It is no longer a challenge if it has no purpose at all and when it already drains you out of your youth, energy and enthusiasm. It has been told also that being here is a test of character; I extremely opposed it, for all I learned is hatred and confusion. Well, one year here in HTN was almost an eternity of hell in my life.

Much had been said. This is my final decision.

I will no longer report in HTN starting tomorrow. I will de-stress my mind and put everything back onto its proper perspective. Worry not; I will continue working on my deliverables until its completion and rest assured everything will be into its proper places, as I am already preparing for this since then. Once again, I am really sorry if I could no longer wait for my replacement.

Just give me a ring if you are still interested on me for the new position or not, despite my rudeness, impolite and discourteous way of tendering resignation, so I can entertain other career opportunities.

Yours,

Red


Note:
You might wonder what things could have led to this drastic deed. I will share it one by one sooner or later in a collection of stories: HTN Series.

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MSU: Seat of the Learned

[From an e-group of MSU Alumni that is worthy to be reposted...]

I am not very good in writing. I don't have any formal training nor have I written for the most part of my life. But today I take a seat in front of the computer. I pound on the keys with hopes that at some stretch of time, I would produce a writeup that shall come close to giving justice to all that MSU means to me and to everyone who can relate to what I will be saying. An introduction as faulty as mine will probably tell you how unlearned I am in the aspect of literary genre and styles. However, this article finds its security in theuntainted divinity of the message it carries. When the message is great, no writeup can be weak. To tell the story of how I arrived in MSU in the supposed crispy summer of 2002 amid the brush and hush of cold winds, and to tell the entire story of my 4-year stay would fall short of the greatness of the message I want to relay here. For the glory of MSU is not captured nor can it be fairly represented by the voice of one alumna. The glory of MSU is in the hundreds of thousands of students that have sought education and insight and solace and home and strength and future and hope in its hallowed halls and open fields. The majesty that exudes the rolling plains of MSU does not begin nor does it end with thescenic view. The majesty emanates from the many souls that have trudged and worn its paths on to learning and on to empowerment. What does MSU stand for?For the poor and struggling youth of Mindanao. Classified as a Third World Country, that is the Philippines. Nestled in among the poorest regions of this country, that is Mindanao. Hailed from the poorest of families, from the marginalized, from homes that are barely able to provide the amenities of a hardly comfortable life � of homes that may not even know the comfort of electrical light and potable water. This is the humble roots of the many students who have sought shelter and the promise of a better tomorrow in the academic halls of the university. What does MSU teach?It teaches Math, Biology, Health Science, Islamic Laws, Environmental Ethics and more so that its constituents may be well equipped to face the challenge of national and global competitiveness with the end goal of landing a job that can help them feed and raise their destitute families. But more than that, MSU teaches how life must be lived. It teaches that one cannot choose the circumstances to which he is born. But he can always choose what his life will become. To be born to economically struggling parents will not determine that you will end your life in the same humble circumstances. For every cry at birthscreams the vastness of the far greater things that await the bold who will dare to explore them. MSU teaches us to overthrow the rein of what is and to dare embrace what can be. She teaches her students to look into the horizon for uncharted territories beyond the seemingly limitless plains.What does MSU stand for?For hope almost extinguished but now blazing more than ever. The country and the world watches as the media spews news of terror and violence raging across Mindanao, creating a rather repelling and depressing image of the island. But MSU stands as a blazing torch of hope. It blazes in piercing light because it is the abode of Mindanao's best and the seat of Mindanao's most learned. Do not go into prematurely judging my superlative acclaims. I don't use a word for lack of anything else to say. I use them to give justice to the truth of which I am a living witness. Mindanao's best and Mindanao's most learned are in MSU because they are not those who were raised in comfort, who were blessed with the luxury of computers and expensive facilities at their taking. Mindanao's best are not those who lived in the heart of cities where the basic amenities of electricity and water where unquestioningly available 24/7. Mindanao's best are made and proven in the furnace of inconvenience where to be the best seem to be incessantly blocked by hills of challenges and discomfort and yet they come out all the more strengthened rather than discouragingly scathed. They are not the people who complain and groan at their mundane afflictions and the deprivation of their circumstances. They are the ones who breathed and live and embrace difficulties knowing these are flames that will purge what is unbecoming and purify what is deserving. Who would endure a university where electricity failure is as common as daily happening stretching for weeks on end, where water is as unavailable when electricity is out, where studying for exams and completing requirements take the unfortunate truth of the adage "nagsusunog ng kilay" because candles are the only flickering hopes for passing academic hurdles. This is where we are condemned to use Coke for brushing our teeth when water is as scarce as gold. This is where we stay up as late as 2 am or later and wake up as early as 4 am or earlier, to study amid howling and biting winds comparable only to the ambiance of Baguio and other highlands. In MSU alone do we end classes at 5:30 or 6 pm and none beyond, and we keep ourselves locked in the boarding houses we uniquely call �cottages� to ensure safety. In MSU alone do we call it the day that early and yet accomplish as much as is being achieved in other institutions. I can go on and on with the circumstances MSUans faced and may continue to face. Circumstances worth retelling to generations because it is a blend of life like no other. Do not mistake me for demeaning the community color. That was not even an exaggeration at its best. I merely had to relay the truth. Much more is kept in the closet. I tell the story because I want the world to know that our college lives were harder than any non-MSUan can ever begin to imagine. A premise as truthful and as clearly defined as that would hopefully make you understand that the best of any institution, of any region, of any country, and of any race are those that rose from the ashes of seemingly insurmountable challenges to become great. Let electrical failure come while the MSUan studies and you will only see him smile and shrug as he embraces the length of the night ahead while burning candles in preparing for tomorrow's exam. Somebody once told me "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."What does MSU teach?She teaches that it is in the furnace of inconvenience that gold shines in glaring luster.What does MSU stand for?MSU stands for great men and women of faith, of honor, of valor, of integrity, of talent, of challenged but proven strength. What is Mindanao? It is but the second largest island of the Philippines. And it is to this island that MSU extends its domain and farther. Lookwhat difference we could make if we stand up for what MSU stands. Look what positive force we can altogether become if we maintain the ideals for which the nobility of MSU stands.What does MSU teach?She teaches the difference that we can make and we are called to make.The country needs us.I may appear to speak out of idealism. But this is so because I do not let my idealism die. It is one of the few precious virtues for which our national hero referred to our generation as the "Hope of the Fatherland". It remains a challenge for every MSUan to respond to.By the sweat and blood of our predecessors were the first foundations of MSU firmly laid and established. By their unmoved devotion to the vision they held were its earliest pillars secured. By their struggles against adversities did MSU rise towards the skies. The years spanned by its existence were nothing less than these. The roots of MSU were noble as they may have been divine. The earliest batches and graduates had to brave through unpaved and hardly marked grounds, of ankle-deep mud, of knee-high grass barring their way, of small classrooms, of hardly modernized abodes, of the rumored war-torn land in order to pry into the best caliber of education within their reach at the time. Their efforts did not fail them. They grew to become great contributors to a land parched and hungry for the fulfillment of a promise.The circumstances in MSU had become much better with the advent of modernization and progress although the uniqueness of its inconveniences can never be discounted. In contrast to my earlier narrations, there are now internet cafes I lost count of, classy restaurants that could rival Jollibee, immaculate gardens, well-manicured fields, stunning infrastructure and more semblance of physically imposing greatness.However, the passing of time and the eventual rise and fall of leaders has eroded the glory that MSU was. Political unrest and corruption not sparing the highest to the lowest position has marred MSU's name. The complexity and clout of the decay has been widespread beyond imagining extending from dilapidated buildings to ghost employees to unmanaged gardens. More deeply, the consequent failure in several leaderships has severed the stability of the supposed social laboratory ideal for the blending of diverse cultures leading to tensions and some unprecedented level of violence perpetrated within and among various cultures. I was a witness to this decay as many are.But I was also a witness to MSU's redemption with the coming of the previous President Gen. Ricardo de Leon. I didn't join rallies for or against him in my younger years. But I waged and fought my own war for MSU by being the best that I can be as a student. That was my tribute for the university and for the president who came not as a leader to be served but as a servant who walked the streets of the institution as a civilian to know and feel the bitter pangs of unfortunate circumstances from unpaved roads to squatted lands to helpless ATM machines to unimproved dormitories. In the character of the President, I saw a father that MSU so needs and deserves. I was not able to work closely with him. But in the distance pronounced by his seat as the highest official of the university and by my situation as a mere student, I saw in his eyesthe glimmer of greatness and all that it stands for and the promise of MSU's bright future. Before the coming of this celebrated "Daddy Ricki" I was engaged in a debate with my colleagues in the MSU-Rostrum Oratorical and Debating Society whether or not it is proper for a military man to take the seat of the President. Armed with my reasoning capacity as I was flung to the negative side, I fought against the idea. I cannot quite remember who won in the debate practice in the fateful motion so given, I can only remember how I desperately fought my arguments through and how several hours erodedthe heat of the debate in me. But I can so well remember how blessed I realized MSU is, for every good news I hear about this new President.My first glimpse of him was around dusk one day when I was on my way home and he was surveying the 5th Street in Bo. Dimalna for plans of cementing the worn and trodden streets so prone to flooding even in short but heavy downpours. He was a civilian in every way. And students crowded around him as if the greatest man that ever lived wasthere. I saw warmth in the chilling MSU air. I didn't know him personally. But I knew no President in MSU has ever done what he was doing and nobody has ever made the students feel as warm. I was assured, our university was in good hands. We were.I will not and perhaps cannot enumerate the many things he did for my school, his staff and secretaries can do a much better job of documenting the sacrifices and the gains. But I can say that for the title "the sweetest thing that ever happened to MSU" afforded to him, I cannot find a closer rival. Pres. De Leon came when the days were most dark and he brought light. I attended our Commencement Exercises on April 4 and 5 of the year 2006. Glorious days to say the least. The President was there, a symbol of MSU's might. Circumstances known only to a few of my batchmates and to the uneventual others who came after me, the Latin honor I received was rather controversial. I received an honor lower than what others hoped for or possibly expected and this was attributed to some of my subjects where I received marks of 1.75 and 1.5 when no class was held for those subjects the whole semester. None at all. It was hoped that had the class been carried faithfully thewhole semester, I would have achieved higher grades. I dismissed the issue. I settled myself with the second highest honor thinking that perhaps, even if I got higher marks in those subjects, no significant difference may have been made with my honor title. Besides, the honor was not much of an issue. But in my fateful graduation day when I would have the chances to go up the stage and to receive the extended hand of the President, he would speak to me "To us, you are a Summa Cum laude" and the strong statement "This is no longer your fight. I have made it my own". And so I graduated and worked somewhere far where I was untouched by the issues. Little did I know that the President stood on his word and waged the fight, probing into the circumstances. Hearings were made without me. And the President has transformed the issue into a fight to uplift the quality of education being offered by the university as a function of the performance of the instructors. I was later to find from Pres. De Leon's statement that it was a lonely fight. And he must have been tired. I wish I could have done something to achieve the goal of quality education that he was fighting for. I left the university with him as the President and I was confident to send my sister to the same school with him on the lead. With the change of administration that brought tears to many, I determined to say more prayers for my sister and for my next sister who will soon enroll.The change of administration moved me. As it was politics that took Pres. De Leon to the seat, it was the same political ploy that took him out of it. But MSU will continue to be resilient. Decay may indefinitely creep in once again, but the fortified pillars forged of old times will stand until light shall shine again and for always. MSU will remain a hub of hope and greatness. The vision will stand. It will because our predecessors imparted it to the many MSUans who stay and inhabit the cold rolling hills. As resilient as the aging and towering trees, mute witnesses to the surging and the subsiding of many storms, so will MSU stand through the ages.Across the distance, where the many MSU alumni have been sprawled, we carry her name.May our lives be a lasting and profound tribute to her glory. May we be leaving legacies of the Mindanao State University "the seat of those who have learned that although life is short, it is not without its values and although life is hard, it is not without its hopes.I cannot find a better way to end this article as there was not much of a strong introduction in the beginning, but let the message in between stand for its value.Mabuhay ang anak ng Pamantasang Mindanao!

-The Seat of the Learned
by Aisa O. Manlosa
MSU Alumna, 2006

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true, this made me laugh

I stumbled upon one of the blog sites and found this strip amusing and relevant. It reminds me of my work, no system, always going on an infinite circle of to-do's and no accomplishment at the end of the day. Well, it must be true to you too. You must be lying if you would say no.

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meet them...

Gael Garcia Bernal, as Che Guevarra on Motorcycle Diaries, who also stars in the movie Y tu Mama Tambien and in Bad Education

Ping Medina, my best actor of any indie films, son of Pen Medina

Gary Granada, whose songs and compositions inspires me a lot

John Mayer

Jason Mraz

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im blogging!!!

I still have to finish a lot of paper works on my desk but the net is too much i cant resist. Next week i'll be having a board meeting so i need to wrap up the past month for a reporting, need to have updates on the prrevious concerns and answers to day-to-day querries. Im bored. And here's the internet to entertain me anyways.

Its no longer my past time to dig up and open a lot of sites. Its eatin up my working time!

and now...cheers for you Andrew, and welcome to blogging! Its a lot more entertaining and a lot more time wasting for work! wahahahahaha!!!

Shhhhsssshh...i need to finish this one first.

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