Ruminating

If I am an art masterpiece now, I’m The Thinker.

I’m pondering about this yet unofficial offer to be the Editor-In-Chief of our school publication now that our EIC had graduated. It is unofficial because the Feature Editor who’s also unofficially recommended for the chief position urges me to take it instead; her reasons I don’t understand very well. On the other hand, our adviser casually mentioned it to me right after this year’s graduation ceremonies which I only attended as an usher hence I consider that unofficial just the same.

Aside from being informally offered, I’m hesitant about it because first, editorial writing is not my forte. The courteous person I am, it’s hard for me to speak and write bluntly which is how editorials should be done. More often than not, editorial is the EIC’s job. Second, the culture of our Editorial Board demands the EIC to be flexible and that means being able to augment – more appropriately tolerate – what your staff fails to do. Therefore, if for some reason the Layout Artist cannot, had not done, or did not do his job, the EIC must be Superman. Such could be a late night’s toil for me as a working-student especially if my deadlines are free-flowing.

Having been a former EIC in another school and as the current Associate Editor who was able to fill-in by myself 2.5 pages of the 10-page latest issue, I have no qualms about what to write not to mention that I’ll be enjoying a bigger discount in fees as EIC compared to what I avail as a working-student. But still, I’m reconsidering things in case the bid becomes official.

Mr. and Ms. ACLC Celebrates Festivities

My alma mater invited me once more to judge this year’s search for Mr. and Ms. ACLC. For their 11th founding anniversary, the pageant was given a festive theme which I must say is an interesting choice made better by the idea of dressing each pair of candidates, costumes for specific Philippine fests; Maskara (mask), Panagbenga (flower) and Dinamulag (mango) festivals are what I can quickly recall.

Aside from the show itself, what I enjoy about this event is the chance to be reunited with my former mentors and some acquaintances. I was glad to have Dr. Chua as a fellow juror who happened to be among the judges when I myself was a candidate in 2002. Also there was Bill Robins, a local FM radio jock and teacher in my high school who, as the emcee, gave witty remarks about me during the program. I got the chance to be acquainted with the adorable Dindin Llarena who’s admired by the nation as a child singer and actress. She was likewise invited to be a judge and to render a song. Now in senior high, she’s as soft spoken and nice as she seemed to be in the screen.

It was a close fight among the candidates; our choices fluctuate from category to category. Personally, I was keen to details and gave scores that were only 2 or 3 points apart to let the ratings by my colleagues be the clincher to be sure that the strongest candidate gets the highest average thus would seem a unanimous choice. Generally, this is the best batch since 2006.

This is the second time after 6 years that it was held in the city convention center; the same venue when I won the title and coincidentally, this year’s winner was male candidate number 4 – my number in 2002 and my successor’s in 2006. This only reaffirms my belief that 4 is a lucky number.

The jurors

Receiving the token of appreciation




Awarding the winners

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Flashback: Winning the title in 2002





Farewell walk (2006)

Deception Food

After the tour a few weeks ago, my habit of hanging out in the faculty room gave me another treat. Some Hotel and Restaurant Operations Students were tasked to execute recipes of their choice each for pasta and kakanin (rice cake) for their final exam in a cooking class. Perhaps the faculty had their full of the dishes served earlier by several groups and this is where I come to the picture.

We had some good laughs from this activity.

Group A served something in a teacup which we thought was champorado (chocolate rice porridge/pudding) but when we asked it to be handed over the students claimed it’s biko – a glutinous rice cake topped with roasted coconut oil residue – just that it’s not served on a platter. Although its taste is convincing, the texture and presentation are not.

Next is just a traditional recipe for spaghetti. What caught our attention were the bite-size round brown things placed around the platter. “Wow! Choco cupcakes!” “No sir, those are oatmeal cookies”. “Really?!?”, I thought because the color and shape don’t make it seem like what they say it is. And spaghetti plus oatmeal cookies? Uh oh…

Spaghetti number 3 is simply spaghetti. When we tasted it though, we blurted in chorus, “is this afritada?”

The last group blew their instructor’s top when they named their output as lasagna and insisted on it yet what they served was undeniably spaghetti. “Do you really know what lasagna is?”, Ms. Anne boomed. “Ma’am that is lasagna spaghetti style according to Ms. X (another instructor)”, defended the students. We laughed discreetly as we saw irritation drew in Anne’s face. “Lasagna is what you call the flat pasta; it’s not the dish”, said she clarifying things to the poor protégés.

Oh well, let them take care of the details. I’m just happy I was fed.

I [Feel] So Sorry

I missed the telecast of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) coronation night; the first time in years. I was disappointed upon learning from my cousin that she had watched it the night before. It seems to me that the event lacked publicity – that is before it was held.

I was bugged by my curiosity regarding its outcome until the evening news featured former winner of the pageant-turned-actress and host Ruffa Guttierez commenting on the win of Janina San Miguel. That fueled my curiosity more thus the following day, I searched for a clip of its coverage. [Watch video]

I can’t hold back my laughs as I tried to comprehend what she was saying and how she tried to amuse herself out of her situation.

Unfortunately, I can’t find other video clips that could show me how the other candidates of the Top 10 performed in the interview portion hence I have no basis whether the others did better than her (i.e., she might be just be bad and somebody else is worse). Yet, I do not find Janina’s answer fit of a beauty queen especially that Bb. Pilipinas is one of the most prestigious pageants in the country.

Further, I was looking for the proper speech and manners expected of most beauty queens. Agent Gracie Heart (Sandra Bullock – Miss Congeniality) had been corrected by her mentor for Ms. United States when she used “yeah” instead of “yes”. Didn’t Janina used “guys” to refer to the audience? Honestly, I find something unnatural and funny with her facial expressions; I’m so sorry, they’re really was (error intended)

It makes me think therefore that if Janina could win, the standards of BPCI may have declined to a level of being too forgiving to its recruits or maybe, the weights of the criteria might be imbalanced.

Further, I wonder why it seemed that Bb. Pilipinas-World is given better regard than Bb. Pilipinas-Universe. Although we know that the three titles of Binibini are of equal rank because all its bearers get to compete in the international arena, throughout the years, BPCI had established the impression that Ms. Universe is regarded best among the other two hence when the 1999 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Janelle Bautista was dethroned due to other issues, then Bb. Pilipnas-World Miriam Quiambao took-over and represented the country in the Ms.Universe pageant in Trinidad and Tobago were she finished 1^st Runner-up. This year though, Bb. Pilipinas-World was announced last and Janina even stood in between the two other titlists.

I have to agree with Ruffa that Janina should take the challenge to improve her weaknesses in preparation for Ms. World pageant. It seems that the only way she could redeem herself is to bring home the crown and be Philippine’s first-ever Miss World.

I never thought we would have our own equivalent of Miss Teen South Carolina 2007 a year after Lauren Caitlin Upton created waves in America. Anyway, they both finished in the top 5 and were applauded in the swimsuit competitions.

Hah! Imagine them meeting everywhere such as and talking about maps and families. I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to be mean. (Pun intended)

View From the Top

I had an extraordinary weekend; one that I consider a BIG twist in my almost-monotonous life in years. Ladies and gentlemen, this guy who hasn’t learned how to ride a bike just went parasailing. That’s right. I went parasailing (and I don’t know how to ride a bike).

It all started out that morning when I was hanging out in the faculty room and chatted with Mr. Bong when he suddenly popped the offer to join that afternoon, two other instructors as “guests” who’ll rate a tour where his students in Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Operations shall serve as tour guides. I agreed and felt glad thinking that I’ll go watching whale shows or have a close encounter with tigers for free. Those I supposed because those are two activities for which our place is famous hence its quick association with the word “tour”.

Fast forward – second in the itinerary is Subic Scuba Shack that is known for water activities. We are hesitant to try it out and reasoned that we are not in proper wet clothes. While it is true that I’m wearing denim and shoes, it is an alibi of someone like me who rarely engages in adventure. Our guides insisted however that it would not get us wet and if ever we do, they have spare clothes to lend. The elderly mentor refused as expected so I took all the courage to go with Ms. A. As we removed our shoes and other stuff that we might lose from above, we jokingly announced our last wills.

Three students went with us on the speed boat. One of the two staffs of the shack helped us with our harnesses and life vests while the boat sped to the middle of the bay. Once we’ve reached the release point, Ms. A was assisted first to the rear of boat to have her harness fastened to the parachute. I was then instructed to position behind her to be fastened next. The wind blowing the sail already lifted me from the initial sitting position and without preparatory countdown we were lifted off the deck as the rope was rolled out. We screamed as we gained altitude while the people on the boat cheered. We kept on hollering until we’ve reached a stable height. Gradually we gained more altitude and don’t know if this was due to the blowing wind or because the rope was extended. “Tama na po! (Enough!)”, we shouted but realized once more that we can’t be heard. Ms. A joked, “I-text mo sila. (Send them SMS)”.

As if fate teased me about the spark of courage to go parasailing, I felt the part of the harness that supports my thighs begins to slide off. “Ma’am, natatanggal…(it’s loosening)” “Ang alin? (What?)”, asked my companion that was more exclamatory than interrogative. “Natatanggal ako sa pagkakaupo (I’m slipping off from sitting position).*Change topic*

The intensity of thrill slightly ceased when you’re up there for quite some time. The sea below isn’t as frightening as expected because it’s just like a plain with thick foliage from above. The thigh harness slid off and I hang in a standing position with my life vest slightly pulled upwards hence I had to quit talking if I don’t want to lose air. Breathe in, breathe out.

We felt we’re gradually going down and thought the wind’s weakening. Splash! They made our feet dip into the water. Wow! Then up and up we went again for a few more minutes.

When we’re pulled back onboard, I felt sleepy from reduced supply of oxygen due to the vest and my arms little numb from gripping the harness. Our boat accelerated and gave us two side leans ala motocross.

I never though I’ll enjoy a thing I never that I would be brave enough to try. It is one thing Subic Bay is famous for in the whole country and truly it is more exciting than simply admiring its photographs on calendars and postcards.