18. Fun Run & Walk

What activity do I love to join during high school is the Marathon. Milo Marathon is an annual celebration of Milo for their anniversary and our school was participating this event every year. My classmates and I always join this kind of event especially when it's for a cause. We really enjoy this kind of activity because it doesn't just makes us healthy it also gives us time to bond and know each other better.

Each Marathon that we have joined was an awesome and extraordinary experience. The night before the marathon my "barkada" used to sleep over to my house so we can go to school together to school. It was such fun to sleep over with my friends because we could chit chat late at night and laugh at the first one who would fell asleep. Then when we woke up, we would eat breakfast together and do pranks to the last person to get up. When everybody's ready, my dad would drive for us to school. Usually we go first to Karen's(My friend) house and get some food. then to the school. I remember one time we were late and the shuttle almost left us we were so happy that time because we made it hahahahaha!!! Speaking of the shuttle bus, it was over loaded like a seat for two was occupied by four because the aisle of the bus was full already. The shuttle was an ordinary bus and it was so hot inside because we were three sections per bus and we were 40 to 50 per section. But it didn't stop us from having fun during the trip because we were singing and tripping. Every time we saw a bus from other school we waved our hands though we don't know them. The funniest thing was the Milo Marathon supposed to be a FUN RUN but what we actually did was a "Walkathon". We've experienced to run even though it was raining and guess what it much more fun. That was the celebration for the 150th of Jose Rizal. Being with my  high school classmates and schoolmates took a lot of patience and cause a lot happy memories.

If I will die and will be given a chance to live again I will be happy to have those people in my life. They completed my high school life. Those people who seem to not have something to do right made my high school life story colorful. I am hoping to make a new chapter of my life with those people I used to laugh, to cry, to play and  to pray with.

17. Hip Hop is not my genre

I'm starting to like hip hop song these past few days. It all started when I learned how to like Fliptop. I search for my assignments and listen to Fliptop simultaneously. Then I search for records of some rappers and like them one by one. The awesome thing was when I commented to the video posted by "rapturedpassage", the one who uploaded the official musi video of "Here To Own It" by Lyrically Derange Poets(group ABRA), "Was this aired on T.V.?". They answered back "Myx was airing this video in the Myx Daily Top 10. It aint that popular at that time. " I learned some thing new again. 

Anyway, what I will talk about today is the rap songs that I actually liked before. I can still remember the tune and some of the lyrics of the song "Bounce" by Mike Kosa. I liked this song before because of its catchy beat and it was easy for me to sing along with it because it wasn't so fast. The tune is also bouncy and it was not hard to follow. I remember me and my sister used to sing along together when we were listening to it. "Bebot" by Apl De Ap I liked the song because of its lyrics. It was catchy and it's about being Filipino so who wouldn't want to listen to it. Next one was "Kabet" by Gagong Rapper it was trending before so we listened to it. Of course we all know that what is trending that's what we're gonna try. We don't want to be outdated that's why we entertain what's new. 

Those are the song that I liked before and I didn't know that I will be hooked with that genre today. Hip hop is not my genre, I'm into soul, pop, and R&B but I'm willing to learn more about Philippine hip hop and I'm enjoying it.

16. Dream Debut

I'm 17 and only few months left to my 18th. Most of our relatives are waiting for it because they are thinking that my dad loves me so much and for sure my debut will be an extraordinary. Well they are right. It will be extraordinary because I don't think my parents have plans for it. And when I ask about it they would give me  either a joke or avoid me.

For me debut is the most important birthday celebration that every girl here in the Philippines could ever experience. But it seems that it wasn't included to my parents plans. It's quite frustrating because since I was a little kid I've already thinking of what will happen to my birthday celebration. I have plans for it already like who will be my 18 roses, 18 candles, theme, design of my cake, every thing was set in my mind. The songs that will be used for 18 roses will be different dance craze, from "Pamela One" to the latest dance craze. I will be wearing the most beautiful gown for night. My childhood friends all are invited. It will be held in one awesome venue playing all of my favorite songs. But it seems to stay as a dream because there's no one planing for it except for myself. I don't think that my dream for my debut is possible. I have more important things to do and I'll just imagine that my friends' debut is also mine. It's not so nice to miss a once in a life time event in your life. It's like you were given 17 years to prepare for nothing. I know that I'm still blessed because I can still celebrate my every birthdays. But this is the most important one and nobody seems to have interest to talk about it.

I really wish that I can celebrate my debut even if it is simple. Like family members and closest friends only are invited. It'll be fine for me even if my birthday cake is just the small one. I don't care anymore If I cannot complete 18 roses and candles. The important thing is I will celebrate my birthday.

15. Hard for me to Hate you

I am a very cheerful person. My friends get energy from me when they feel low. But this happy person they see in me has her own sad story. This story happened during high school. It feels really sad during that time. I never thought that situation would come to my high school life.

I was buying a soft drink to the sari-sari store with my friends in front of our school, and my classmates and their friend was standing by there. They were talking about girls then suddenly I heard my name.And it all started there. My friend begun teasing to that guy over and over everyday. Luckily, it's almost vacation that time. But that didn't stop there, my friends continued teasing me when we gent back to school. We were a block section so it was easy for them to tease me everyday. I let them do they want, I didn't care. Until one day someone texted me saying he was the guy my friends were teasing to me. I replied to his text "why?" Then he replied a very long message and as I was reading it I figured out that it was my so call "Best Friend". I was so hurt that time not because he wasn't the one who texted me but because my friends broke my trust. Two of my friends were able to do that to me. I felt so sad when I found out because two of the most important people in my life actually played with my feelings. That was the lowest part of my high school life. My own friends played with my feelings and that just made me feel so bad for myself. I love my friends so much that hating the is the hardest thing. I cried for how many night because I can't tell them how I felt when they crushed my trust. I felt normal when I'm with them but by the time I'm about to sleep, I remember all the bad feelings that I've been keeping inside.

Even when we confronted each other, it was like I was the one wrong because I hide my feelings. But I just did that knowing that they are my so called best friends so they should know what would I feel. Though I still have this feeling inside me at least I know to myself that I've forgiven them but forgetting is impossible for me. Now I will you that experience so that I won't be hurt anymore.

14. Fliptop

I've been hooked about Fliptop Battles these past few weeks. When I first heard about it I don't really like it because of the words that they are using. Yes there's rhymes and they speak so fast but most what they say are bad word. I thought that Fliptop battles are non sense because all they do is bash each other. But I was wrong.

I received a notification on Facebook from my classmate in high school. It was a video link of Fliptop Battle Dos Por Dos Tournament, Loonie&Abra vs. Smugglaz&Shehyee. His post got a lot of likes so I clicked the link and watched it. As I listened to each word that they threw to their opponents I realized that some lines have substance and their style has humor. I thought that Fliptop is all about trash talking but I learned that it has different elements in order to win. There are rebuttals, punch lines, metaphors  verses, rhythm, real talk, reference, angles or approach, bars, attitude, tone, appeal, style, lyrics, artistry and multisyllabic rhymes or multies. I wasn't expecting that even though some of theme didn't finished their studies they still know these elements. Also if you are thinking what will happen to these people after a battle, what if one of them got pissed? They might fight each other but no! This rappers are actually friends behind the camera.

Fliptop seems to be a waste of time to watch but in the end you'll realize that you are learning something new, something fresh. And you are also entertained by the people behind this battle. It is not just a battle between two rappers, it is also a battle of those who wants to support hiphop in the Philippines. By the way, Fliptop is not the only rap battle here in the Philippines there's also Sunugan and Ahon. Also there's *FEMCEE Battle* which is the contenders are female. It is a fun way of promoting hip hop here in the Philippines.

13. You're one and only

Every girl has their own version of their "Prince Charming". How does it feel when you're with him? It's like you're wrapped in mystery and you're flying like a honey bee. It seems like there's only you and him even though you're in the middle of a crowd. You would wish to stop the time just to be with him for one more hour. Let me tell you a story about a boy who used to be my Prince Charming.

I've met this charming kid on the street when my sister and I are on our way to a basketball tournament. As we walked on the street, I saw my sister's friend and she was with her adorable son. This cute kid was called Jacob by everyone. He's eyes are brown and almond-shaped. His crooked smile is contagious like a viral disease. And because of that I've had a crush on him.  He's so different among those kids that I've met in our village. He is the only one who has an impact to me. He could make me smile in every little thing that he does. I was hesitant to talk to him when we first met because I was so shy and I don't know what say. That night while we were watching a basketball fight, I sat on a corner with my head on my knees because it was late already and I felt so sleepy. I was shocked when someone beside tickled me on my waist and as I looked to my left I saw him sitting beside me trying to hide that he was smiling by stooping down. As time goes by, we become closer to each other almost every other day we saw each other and he never failed to make me smile. As a matter of fact, when his best friend died he still managed to make jokes just to lighten up the atmosphere in the wake of his friend.

But all of a sudden, I haven't seen him again. Months or a year later, our family decided to transfer to our new house and because I was so young before I forgot everything about Jacob. Until one day I saw him again. He was walking to school and I was at the back ride of the tricycle going home when we looked at each other. That day I knew that he was different from before. He looked at me with a straight face and so I said to myself, "He's not the same Jacob that I have admired before." Nevertheless I've heard that he became an underground rapper and he is now recording songs. Though we can't bring back the old times at least I know that his dream to make music has come true.

12 - I'm Scared to Death

It's almost 1:00 in the morning and I'm still awake. I'm finishing all the requirements which is due this week. My eyes are really tired and I already want to sleep but I have to finish everything now because I want to cope up with my grade in Technical Writing. As of now I already exceeded to the number of tardiness for the subject and I am now one of the candidates to drop it but I don't want to drop.

I know that we are only allowed to have 2.5 absences which is two absence plus one late and two lates are equivalent to one absence already. I feel bad about it because even though I always come late to class at least I still pass all requirements needed and I my performance is fine compared to some of those who attend early in class. It feels bad because I might repeat the subject only because of my lates. Somehow, I think that checking attendance for college is not needed because we are already in college. Students know what's right and what's wrong, it's up to us how are we going to catch up to what we've missed. I think that being late must be forgivable because at least the student attends the class. Yes I just live in taguig which is near APC but it doesn't mean that trip is easy. Just imagine I have to walk for 20 minutes from our house to the terminal . Then the trip from the terminal is about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the jeep that you will ride because some jeeps has a lot of stop overs just to fill the jeep. And I have to fall in line to the terminal for 15 to 30 minutes. It depends if the traffic is heavy. Then If the traffic going to Pasay is heavy I have to wait for about 15 to 30 minutes again to arrive at Magallanes and lastly, just to arrive at school earlier I will ride a jeep than the shuttle because if I will take the shuttle I have to wait for 15 minutes so I'll just take the jeep and I will be at school in 3 or 5 minutes. Better if it's easy to wake up earlier in the when you only have two hours of sleep because you finished and fixed everything you need for your subjects and for the SOMA production.

How I wish that there's a bridge on SLEX(from c5 to Pasay) going to Asia Pacific College so if there's a sudden accident in Magallanes I won't be late anymore. It would be better if I don't need to travel from c5 to Magallanes and Magallanes to APC anymore, I'll just cross the bridge. It is also less on your expenses for transportation.

10 - Dreaming, High.

I had a bad dream last Saturday, February 23, 2013. It weird and strange. My dream was pertinent to drugs. I don't know why am I dreaming about that. It was the second time I dreamed about my brother addicted to drugs.

What happened  in my first dream was my brother and his friends were renting an apartment in our old house. They used that as their drug laboratory. There was a pipe inside the apartment that produces smoke of drugs. One day they become wild and the smoke coming out from the pipes were going strong. One of their neighbor went to their apartment to find out what was happening but he was caught. The neighbor was place in front of one of the pipe and his hair was slowly melting because of the chemical. His skin was rapidly peeling and then he went unconscious. Many soldiers were coming to their apartment and they panicked. My brother's friends runaway and he was left with the body of their neighbor then I came to help him. I opened the window and there was a floating ship waiting for us. We board the ship with the body of the neighbor covered with white bandage. He looked like a zombie but we did that because his body might unravel. While we our sailing in the air we were castaway in a paradise and the moment we landed fairies were coming for us and then I woke up already.

The second dream went like this. I was painting on the table and under the table was a pipe with a bulb like cover. While I was painting I moved my feet because I'm tired already then my feet bumped to the pipe and the cover was removed so I look at what's inside the pipe and I found out that it was full of shabu. Our eldest sister told me to return it immediately because our my brother will get angry. I returned it but it wouldn't fit until my brother was home and he saw me holding the cover. He was so mad and wild because of the effect of the drugs. We all of us started to runaway from him. we went to a hotel then back to our old house. we kept on running so he could not chase us. We climb all the way up to the roof but before we reached the roof my sister was caught already. My mom was tired already so we decided to hide inside a small room. We covered ourselves with a plywood so my brother would not notice us. But we were caught. He used again our house to be his drug laboratory and he invited again his friends. My mom didn't want to runaway because she was worried about my brother. We look so gory as well as the place. Everything was full of violence. Then one day I went insane so my mother decided to escape. He told my brother that we will go to the market to stole some food so my brother allowed us. While we were going through the road my mother sight a huge truck carrying armored men so we hide in an abandoned house til I woke up again.

I do not understand why am I having about those thing. It's creepy because it is about my family and it is involving drugs. I din't know where these dreams are coming from.

9 - Chloses

POEM

We talk so loud as we wait for our class.
We laugh out loud like no one cares.
"Mr. Sanjo" is near, let's pretend we're not here.
Now he is gone let's laugh at him.

We are so happy, we get along together.
I am hoping, we'll stay like this forever.
Talking about anything,
Laughing about everything.

As I look at our picture,
I can't help but figure.
I miss you guys so much
Though we keep in touch.

Remember the days when we're so stressed?
And "Ms. Aliño" said BAYROSES instead of viruses.
We laugh so hard and the stress flew away.
Especially when Steven was the only one accused.

I miss us already but I know that we'll see each other again.
Few days until March we'll laugh together again

8 - Chloses

I am from a public high school and my section from first year to forth year are I-Sampaguita, II-Chlorite, III-Selenium and IV-Soliman. I belong to on block since second year and we are 69 in a class that time. Whem we were third year, only 51 were left because other transferred in other school, some of them drop out because of financial problem and one of them got pregnant. Only 49 Students survived and make it to forth year. Two of them drop out because they got pregnant and the other one transferred to Cebu.

Despite the fact that ever year we were slowly decreasing, we still keep in touch with each other and treat each other as brothers and sisters. We respect each others imperfection and always understand one another. But we don't tolerate the bad deeds of some of us. The girls make sure the boys will not get into trouble and if they did, we would let them learn their lesson if they're wrong and support them if they are on the right side. While the boys protect the girl always. Like when our class dismissal was at night, they always make sure that girls are safe and we are accompanied. The boys are helpful too, when you ask for something like to change bag just ask them and they will do it. One time when we had an activity for English , we brought big costumes and props, and after that when we were about to go home they carried our paper bags full of costumes.

Until now we're still the same with one another. We make sure that we're keep in touch like on Facebook we have a group and when someone posted it will surely gong to be a chat box. We talked about every thing like a conversation will not end even if it's non-sense it will only stop if there's a new post. And sometimes our forth year adviser, "Nanay Weng"  as we call her joins the non-sense but happy conversation.
We became so united because we respect our differences and of course it will not going to happen without our teachers and mentors who guided us inside the school  and who become our parents up until now.

7 - Let's Play!

I miss being a kid. When the only thing  that stresses me is when I am the loser of the game, I have to sleep first before I can play outside. I have so many playmates before and I used to play after lunch until the sky is dark already.

As far as I can remember our favorite game is "patintero, 10-20, batuhan tao and bomb-sak". Everyday we can play different kind of games. when we got bored playing patintero we will play 10-20, but other boys can't play 10-20 so we will change the game. There are a lot of games that we could play in one day. in the morning we can play piko, text, pog, or tatching. As a kid we do not have the meaning of time. As long as it's not yet dark outside or your parents aren't calling you for dinner, It free to play more. But now I have no time to play anymore. I'm in a more serious world where you have to finish everything on exact time. I have more responsibilities now. And my responsibilities increases as I grow up. I cannot spend time outside after I finish a project because for sure there is another work waiting to be done. I am not a kid anymore. I am not that little kid that you can see on the street running and playing with her playmates. I am a college Student now playing with information and staying up late in the middle of the night to finish an activity or a project needed for my future.

How I wish I can go back to the time when I was young from time to time. How I wish I can still be friends with my childhood friends even though we're far away from each other now.

6 - Painting

I didn't know that I can do painting but I realize that painting is so much fun to do especially when some people appreciate my work. I am motivated to do better every time they tell me I'm doing good. And because of that I really want to paint all the time.

We are now painting a pop art on an 18"x24" canvas that we stretch last week.  I had so much fun stretching the canvas with Wynsley and Samantha. Though my right hand hurt because of the gun tucker I still enjoyed it. Now we are going to paint a pop art. Hopefully I finish it ahead of time. I am really excited about the result. My other block mates are already done with their painting and it looks good. 

As of now, I'm not yet starting with my painting because wasn't able to print my visual peg. I will start painting on Monday so I will finish it ahead of time. Though it is hard to paint on a bigger canvas, I know that I can do it I just need to focus and trust my talent.

5 - APC goes Broadway

I am really excited about the (APC)Asia Pacific College's upcoming concert, APC goes Broadway. I'm a part of APC chorale which is one the Performing Arts Groups. We will be performing on March 6, 2013 in the Auditorium. It will be an awesome concert because all of the Performing Arts Group are exerting so much effort preparing for the concert. I can't share much details about the concert because I don't want to spill it. It is my first time to be a member of a chorale group and I was given a chance to share my talent.

We are now busier in chorale. Before we do not have Wednesday rehearsals but because of the concert we have to practice three days a week.  We also have rehearsal on Monday even though we don't have classes we have to rehears to perfect our pitch, notes and blocking. The audience paid for a good concert so we have to satisfy them.

3. My dear friends

"Compare the personalities of two of your friends."

I meet new people almost everyday of my life. Some of them become my enemies and some of them become my friends. I use to have many friends before but only few stayed in my life. Only the real ones. And they are my what so called best friends, Karen and Regina.

Karen is very popular. Every time we're together, I always here someone calling her name or see someone coming for us and say "Hi!" and when you ask her if she knows the person, she will say no. Well, that's not unusual because she was the President of the Student Council way back in High School. She's very friendly and talented. She's a really good dancer but please, don't make her sing. And if I will be given the chance to award the Ms. Congeniality, I will give it to Karen.  So now let's move on to my next friend, Regina. Her voice is the epitome of silence. Sometimes we cannot feel her presence when we're with our friends. She's very shy and demure when she's with other people. She's conscious about how she looks. She never fails to bring hanky everyday. It's her shield to cover up her face when she's shy. Regina is soft spoken bet fun to be with.

These two different person with a very different personalities become my friends. We get along with each other despite of our differences. They stayed in my life though sometimes we had misunderstanding. You are the one to choose who will stay and will not in your life. And I believe that Karen and Regina are going to be the perfect ingredient of my life.

2. Mr. Selfish

"Write about an incident that illustrates selfishness."

Hello everyone! I'm going to share story about selfishness. But before that, let us first define selfishness. What is selfishness? it is the act of putting your own interest above others wherein, you don't care about how would they feel about you. Do you know someone selfish? If yo do, you might relate about what I gonna tell you.

Mr. Selfish, this is what I call my friend. He's a very vocal person and he would always say what he's thinking. As far as I can remember, we had an activity in one of our subjects before. A member of the other group asked him if we knew what to do. Mr. Selfish replied right away and said that we didn't know what to do. When we asked him why did he said that but he will just say "So we can finish ahead!". Mr. Selfish also kept all the materials that we used so that no other groups can use it. He's so selfish and because of him many of our classmates got low grade for the group activity. Yeah it feels good when you get high grades and when your effort resulted to a good outcome. But if you will just keep all the blessing that you have on your own, what's the point of you being happy all by yourself. We can excel among others without hurting someones feelings. We don't have to be selfish and do things that may harm anyone just to be on the top. Success is much more fulfilling when share it to other people. It's heart touching when we know that it's not only us who's happy about what we have.

So remember! Don't keep what you have because it's better to laugh and be happy with friends that to do it all alone.

1. A friend

"Did you ever become friends with someone much older or much younger than you?"

A friend is someone you can count on, always beside you whether you're happy or lonely. Sometimes friends understand us more than our family. Each and everyone one of us has a friend, no matter how young or how old as long as you get along with each other. We are treating our friends as part of our family or sometimes we are making family out of our friends. It takes time to gain the trust of a person that you wanted to be your friend, but once you learn to trust each other, friendship will just happen.

I have lots of friend and of course I am a friend to them. Being a friend to someone much younger than me is an awesome thing to do. It feels like having a little sister. You have to be a good role model to them. I feel more responsible every time I play with them. You have to be extra hyperactive when playing with them. That's quite tiring yet, it's still fun to do. Being friends with someone much younger than you might require lots of energy and patience but it feels exhausting and refreshing at the same time.

You don't just play with kids, of course you will also talk with each other. Like after playing, when both of you are resting. Sometimes you can give advices about life or any other stuff. It feels good when you know that they are listening to you because you know that they respect you. Some kids might not be mature enough to understand every word you say. But what's important is you know at the end of your conversation, you had a great time with them. You have to respect each other in order to preserve the friendship that you have. Being a friend to some one much younger or much older than you is just the same thing. You have to trust, understand and love each other to build a strong friendship.