I cannot explain how glad and nervous at the same time I am for my last semester in UP. It's been a roller coaster ride for my past four years in college. Started with the wrong course, fought my way through the toughest professors and classes, and found my passion with BA Philippine Arts. But this is it, this is the moment where I'm closest to my dreams.
I remember posting this picture when I was still in BS Pharmacy (obviously studing Chem14 for that night; never loved that subject and thank God for passing it) last 2010. Every time I feel like giving up, I look at this picture and remind myself of all the challenges I've been through and believe that all sacrifices have its worth. Tiwala lang, sasablay din ako.
** For those who don't know what a sablay means for a UP student, it is very much not synonymous to failure or making a mistake. It is actually the other way around; sa UP, sablay = tagumpay. It is also a noun that means a cloth worn by graduates during the college and university graduation to represent their triumph in finishing their degree in the state university.
Last week, I had to undergo the long and exhausting process of UP enrollment (very usual, been going through it for the past 8 semesters). I almost wasn't able to enroll my last language elective, French 10, because of unavailable slots and my thesis subject, Philippine Arts 200, since it is a seasonal course subject and is only offered during second semester. Thanks to connections, skills and charm (HAHA), I was able to encode both right on time. Hello to my last four subjects in college, please be awesome and merciful.
As for my thesis, this will be the hardest, most nerve-wrecking subject of my entire life. It will make or break my entire career as a student. Just like what my friend said, and I quote "Dear thesis, iisipin kita araw-araw, ibibigay ko sa'yo ang atensyon ko. Mamahalin kita ng buong puso."
Another motivation. Dreams do come true, G. Strive and do the best that you can. Last push!
It's only been the first month of 2013, and I've been physically and mentally exhausted. Obviously doing these tours and visits for school requirements, I along with some of my blockmates went to Intramuros for a Hispanic tour last January 30 and went to UST Museum the next day for a pre-colonial documentation.
Tour 1: Intramuros, beyond its walls
Fort Santiago is very well known as the military camp of the Spaniards during the Hispanic period. Big changes were done in terms of the structural designs inside Intramuros. Unfortunately, it has not been preserved well by the government and different forms of vandalism were done to the establishments.
San Agustin Church
These tombstones are seen inside the church, and serve as a flooring also.
First outing of 2013. First hiking experience, never again.
January 13, 2012
Every semester, I get to have an out-of-town trip for a major class. This is probably because I'm taking up Philippine Arts and learning and experiencing hands-on activities are better for this kind of course.
For my PA 110, Philippine Indigenous and Ethnic Arts, class we went to Mt. Arayat, Pampanga and was able to meet one of the outstanding Pampangeños for 2012, Sir Mike. He served as our guide tour and brought us to Gintong Pakpak, located at the foot of the mountain.
Magalang, Pampanga - the hometown of National Artist Emilio Aguilar Cruz. It was said that some of his ashes are kept here and the rest were scattered in Mt. Arayat.
Gintong Pakpak is located at the foot of Mt. Arayat.
The waterfalls is said to be the bathing quarters of Apong Sinukuan, their deity god. Unfortunately, it has been damaged in the long run. Natives still continue to use this place as source of food, and place to unwind.
I've always wanted to go to places and make a travel blog in the future. It's a dream that I plan to start now.
"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine
September 01, 2012 Bataan, Philippines
Three hours away from Manila, I went to Bataan along with my college blockmates for a major class, Philippine Arts 198 (Introduction to Cultural Heritage) outing. We had to take the Bataan Transit bus from Doroteo Jose station in Manila at around 6 in the morning and arrived at Bataan at exactly 8AM.
Upon our arrival, the jeepney we rented was already there and the driver brought us to Jollibee for a quick breakfast stopover before the whole trip starts. We met our professor at the terminal and drove our way to Mt. Samat.
9AM: Mt. Samat, Bataan
Mount Samat is the location of the historical marker for the Bataan Death March. Also found here is the Shrine of Valor or Dambana ng Kagitingan which is found near its summit.
From the terminal, we drove our way through the zig-zag roads around the mountain to reach almost the top of Mt. Samat. There we found the Holy Cross/Shrine of Valor which was really a great view up close. We also found ourselves inside the museum that showcases artifacts (Japanese soldier uniforms, bullets, grenades, rifles, pictures, flags, etc.). Unfortunately, picture taking wasn't allowed inside the museum. My professor was also able to buy a framed bullet which only costed Php 2000. Other historical collectibles are sold for a great price (in case anyone is interested, do visit because items are really a great addition to a historical collection).
Shrine of Valor/Dambana ng Kagitingan
All the while, I thought we could view the Shrine of Valor only by standing from afar. What I didn't know is that we could still hike up going to where the cross actually stands. It took us 400+ steps before reaching the summit of Mt. Samat, and we were able to ride an elevator all the way to the TOP OF THE CROSS. Yes, the view was really breath-taking. The cross showed carvings of the lives and struggles of Filipinos who took part during the Bataan Death March.
Captivating view from the top of the Shrine of Valor.
1PM: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
It was a very wise decision for us to push through our trip by going to the "living museum of Philippine customs and traditions" (www.lascasasfilipinas.com). At first, we had second thoughts because of the price rates they implement. But since we were already in Bataan, me and my blockmates decided that visiting Acuzar would be a first for all of us and it would be nice to have that first experience altogether.
For my major class, Philippine Arts 198 (Introduction to Cultural Heritage), my professor always told us that there will come a time that we will be given a chance to speak to a minority. Fortunately, an Aeta studies in our school also (University of the Philippines Manila).
A 2nd year BS Behavioral Sciences student, Norman (I wasn't able to get his last name.), gave us a glimpse to his life as an Aeta. At first, I thought it would be a simple storytelling but, honestly, I learned a lot from him and was impressed by his dedication in life.
Norman belongs to an Aeta community in Pampanga. When he was a kid, he was brought to an orphanage by his parents. Norman didn't find anything negative about this because he was able to communicate with different types of people and boosted his confidence. After high school, he had to stop and work as a helper in Pasay City. He also worked as a call center agent (no wonder he really spoke English fluently. I was shocked.) and after years of working experience, Norman's father asked if he wanted to go back to college and he eagerly said yes and is now an Iskolar ng Bayan. We asked about his age, and he said "Age doesn't matter. 'Wag na natin pag-usapan 'yan."
Since Norman didn't want a one-way communication, me and my classmates were able to ask him questions (personal, about his community, their practices, and the like). The first time I saw Norman, I was bothered by his tattoo on the arm. It looked like a tribal symbol, so I asked him if it was a symbol, indeed. Unfortunately, it wasn't. Haha! It only symbolized his pride of being a katutubo. The more important tradition of the Aetas was the "pagkikikil ng ngipin" or the sharpening of teeth. He said the sharper an Aeta's teeth was, the more attractive they find themselves.
Minorities here in the Philippines always end up becoming the object of the subject. People study their culture, then after that, left behind. Meaning, pinag-aaralan natin sila para lang sa sarili nating ikabubuti. Makakakuha tayo ng matataas na grado, ggraduate with flying colors, makakapasok sa magagandang opisina, tapos ung mga katutubo, wala na. Hindi na natin babalikan para magpasalamat. Yes, Aetas are given the recognition, but how about importance?
Hunting
Aetas are great hunters. That's a fact. What we do not know is how they do it. Norman said there's this act of mimicry. They imitate the sounds of birds to be able to catch them. "Kung hindi ka marunong gumaya ng tunog ng mga huni nila, eh patay tayo diyan. Wala ka talagang mahuhuli." He even gave us a sample of the mimic styles he do! I was so amazed. Before hunting, Aetas believe that it is important to give an alay or offering to the spirit guardians. They also believe in the saying na kailangan mo mag-tabi-tabi po para hindi makaabala sa mga nagbabantay ng kalikasan. After being able to catch wild animals, they have a specific way of cooking them. They use less condiments except for onions and pepper. Most of the time, they only grill or ihaw. If there are no wild animals to catch and cook, they eat vegetables.
I'm about to perform a monologue tomorrow for my theater class. I've had a really hard time choosing and deciding which piece to do and what type of acting I would like to show. Believe me, I hate performing in front of many people if it comes to acting.
So, I came up with three choices.
1. GET A GREAT PART FROM AN AWESOME MOVIE. A Little Princess written by Richard LaGravenese & Elizabeth Chandler Sara: I don't have a mother either... she's in heaven with my baby sister... But that doesn't mean I can't talk to her, I talk to her all the time... I tell her everything and I know she hears me because... because that's what angels do. My mom is an angel and yours is too. With beautiful satin wings, a silk dress, and a crown of baby rosebuds, and they all live together in a castle. And do you know what it's made out of? Sunflowers. Hundreds of them, so bright they shine like the sun. And when they want to go anywhere they just whistle, like this... (whistles) and a cloud swoops down to the front gate and picks them up and as they ride through the air, over the moon and through the stars... until they are hovering right above us, that's how they can look down and make sure we're all right. And sometimes they even send messages. Of course you can't hear them with all the noise you were making... but don't worry they'll always try again... just in case you missed them.
The
Notebook
written by Jan Sardi & Jeremy Leven, from the novel by Nicholas Sparks
Allie: Do you remember sneaking over
here the first time you told me about this place? I got home late that evening,
and my parents were furious when I finally came in. I can still picture my
daddy standing in the living room, my mother on the sofa, staring straight
ahead. I swear, they looked as if a family member had died. That was the first
time my parents knew I was serious about you, and my mother had a long talk
with me later that night. She said to me,"Sometimes, our future is dictated
by who we are, not what we want." And I know it was wrong of her to keep
your letters from me, but just try to understand. Once we left, she probably
thought it would be easier for me to just let go. In her mind, she was trying
to protect my feelings, and she probably thought the best way to do that was to
hide the letters you sent. Not that any of it matters, now that I have Lon.
He's handsome, charming, successful. He's kind to me, he makes me laugh, and I
know he loves me in his own special way...but there's always going to be
something missing in our relationship -- the kind of love we had that summer.
2. MUSICAL PEG
I think Jesus Christ Superstar is one of the most dramatic, memorable and classic musical movies ever. I'm choosing the parts of Mary Magdalene where she sang Everything's Alright and I Don't Know How To Love Him from this 1973 hit movie. Her voice matches mine, I love this movie, it makes me cry, it's heart-warming.. All in all, this will be perfect.
Well, for this musical... I honestly haven't watched the full movie. :( But, I've heard a lot of great parts from it and I was thinking of making my own version of Over The Moon. It would be a great monologue piece, but my problem will be if my theater classmates have thought of this already. I don't want to be compared in the end.
3. DO AN IMPROMPTU MONOLOGUE. (Which is probably the most stupid idea I ever made. :| HAHA)
The main idea of this monologue is to showcase my talent. So, I decided to stick with the musical. I've chosen Jesus Christ Superstar. :) This will be a big challenge for me since tomorrow's performance will also be our audition for our final theater act. I hope I'll do great tomorrow.
Here are the videos of the original songs I'm performing tomorrow. I'll be mashing the two and instead of singing it all the way, I'll do some parts in a speech form. Or should I say, acting dialogue. :)
July 18, 2012
UP Manila Salinlahi, a Philippine Arts organization, had their annual acquaintance party at the Mezza Residences. Organized by the Juniors, the event "Wet 'n Wild" definitely speaks for itself.
Last week, I had to undergo the long and exhausting process of UP enrollment (very usual, been going through it for the past 8 semesters). I almost wasn't able to enroll my last language elective, French 10, because of unavailable slots and my thesis subject, Philippine Arts 200, since it is a seasonal course subject and is only offered during second semester. Thanks to connections, skills and charm (HAHA), I was able to encode both right on time. Hello to my last four subjects in college, please be awesome and merciful.
