112th Year of Liberty

Today, Filipinos around the world are observing this very special day for we have achieved freedom and self-government from the dictatorship of foreign lands 112 years ago.

It was on June 12, 1898 in Cavite II (now called Kawit), Cavite when the declaration of Philippine Independence was officially made known. Filipino revolutionary forces under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo publicized sovereignty and independence of the islands from the colonial rule of Spain, which had just been vanquished at the Battle of Manila Bay. This day, the Philippine flag was raised and the country’s national anthem, Lupang Hinirang was played.

Then, the Act of the Declaration of Independence was arranged and written which was signed by 98 people. The event spread on August 1st, when towns had been planned under rules laid down by Aguinaldo’s Dictatorial Government. It was then modified upon Apolinario Mabini’s persistence who opposed to that the first proclamation placed in the Philippines under the protection of the United States.

President Aguinaldo’s proclamation marked a new beginning and also brought bliss beyond words to the Filipinos. This had been an inspiration for other lands to exchange blows to attain the most wanted freedom. Here in the Philippines,  Filipinos traditionally celebrate the Independence Day to make people aware and take into account that freedom is the most valued and important right. A right now ours, obtained by courageous people who gave up their lives just to TAKE it back. I have read a line on one of my Social Studies book that states:

Only those who fight for their freedom deserve to be free. Freedom is what this day is all about.

Filipinos are officially called “Mga ibong may layang lumipad.”

In our forthcoming administration with a leadership paradigm, may the utmost love and unanimity flowing among the Filipinos dominate to be able to renew and continue the open living we have achieved in one blissful and strong republic under God’s guidance.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

“Rainbow”

Look out after the rain

You’ll see something unexplained

What you have is a rainbow

It gives you joy, not sorrow

You’ll witness seven colors

Red to violet, these are yours

You will feel such an honor

That you’ve never felt before

As you glimpse the colors’ brilliance

They’re so pleasing to your eyes

You’ll think of its perfect radiance

Your lips will say “It is nice!”

It’s one great thing ever made

With enough bliss it cascades

More than that it adds splendor

It Impels you to desire for more

You’ll see more of nature’s beauty

Like a rainbow, it’s God’s bounty

Learn to care for His creations

To see more like a rainbow’s reflection

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Morph Your Faces…Literally!

Let’s face it. There are instances when we feel used up in monotonous websites, especially the social-networking ones. After using our accounts, we sometimes feel we don’t know which site to go next to search for something new.

Internet is extremely infinite and there are countless websites out there waiting to be visited. As I search, I stumbled on one that is worthy of note which will make one person express his or her amusement as continuous use is concerned. It’s MORPH THING.COM.

The site enables user to combine two close-up (face) photos into one, literally morphing them. It has its off the rack selection of cropped close-up images of renowned people and characters, particularly celebrities, which can be used in morphing by choosing two. After a few seconds, the result is ready. Also, people are allowed to register for an account and upload their own images to be used for morphing. The face possibilities are infinite and outcomes can be fun to see. I’ve tried to morph celebrities together such as Christina Aguilera & Britney Spears, Yoga (from Star Wars) & Mr.. Bean and even my picture morphed with Harry Potter! :) It’s one way to make those covered smiles!

Here are some of my experiments:

Mr.. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) + Patrick

 

Yoga + Patrick

 

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) + Patrick

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How I Use Facebook

Since year 2010 came, or I suppose mid-2009, Facebook dominated the race of social-networking. It was September 2008 when I signed up for Facebook since I have friends who already have their own accounts. As soon as I started using it, I merely got bored because of its very plain and clean interface, featuring blue and white colors all-over, the task to post my status on my wall and that’s it. I asked myself “now what?” After my first 20 minutes of using Facebook, I immediately logged out since I only have two friends with nothing chat with. Maybe I just didn’t look for more in Facebook like its applications and the like.

Until this year, after a long time, I went back to Facebook since news stated that it’ll be the trend of the year replacing Friendster and that’s what I did. I left Friendster last April and began perking up my account.

What’s great about Facebook I think is its simplicity yet it has many features (which I haven’t seen from the time when my I first use). Everyday or every 2 days, I update my account through playing its different games. When I open my account, here are the things I do for the next hours:

1.)  KEEP IN MIND THE THREE ICONS BESIDE THE LOGO

First thing I do is check the 3 icons above: friend requests, messages and notifications. If there’s any, I’ll confirm, reply and check them out.

2.) GAMES AND APPS

Then, it’s time to play. Usually I play simulation games such as Treasure Isle, Farmville, Nightclub City and Restaurant City. Other games are tricky and testing like Jumping Dog, Music, Global & Word Challenge, Who Has the Biggest Brain, Bowling Buddies, Alien Attack and Icy Tower.

Aside from a whole variety of games, Facebook users are given chances to create their own quizzes and I spend a little time answering quizzes. There are funny and somehow gibberish but full of fun especially when I found out the result. The Last quiz I took was “Makakapasa Ka ba sa Board Exam” = 2nd place ka :)

Editing is fun and I share them in Facebook, usually bringing in comments.

3.) PHOTOS AND TAG ‘EM

If I get used in playing games, I usually upload photos from my drive and splurge time tagging. Most of the times, I edit pictures of mine and from other sites and type quotations on them and upload them, usually attracting people to comment and like them.

4.) POSTING

To draw more attention, I post quotes, jokes, inspirational song lyrics and satirical posts/ photos on my wall. Sometimes, the comment box becomes a chat box for those who comment.

5.) CHAT AND LOG OUT

If there’s nothing to do, I chat with my online friends. When the talk’s over, I log out and finish off my Facebook use.

For all those actions, I spend 2 to 3 hours, depending on my mood and thrill. How about you? How do you use your Facebook?  :)

The Access to My Prospect

After all the hardship in the past few months of taking tough entrance examinations from the BIG 4 universities in the Philippines, I turn up to University of Sto. Tomas. It is known to be one of the long-standing Catholic universities in our country and I’m blissful to be able to grab a slot and I would say, fortunate enough to get a slot for the cause of being in the “Waiting-List” in the course that I’ve chosen.

From the four institutions of higher education that I had taken , I was fortunate to pass the two of them, and when I’d been included in the waiting-list in UST, my score also qualified me to its sister university, Letran. Then, I received letters from the other two schools I’d not made the grade (namely UP & Ateneo) conveying that my scores qualified but my course had a designated quota, which made me a little upset at that time (my mind always conjures up that IF I just took a course that has no much proportion, then, I would have my CHANCE to be able to enter).

The failure of pulling through DLSU opened the door of opportunity to give a shot to UST.

Then, from the two where I’d passed, my primary target was De La Salle University, but I was disappointed to be informed that there were conflicts regarding scholarship concessions. So that marked the lucky break for me to give a shot to enter UST and after all the recurring procedures (and thank goodness no interviews), I was officially enrolled last 26^th of April. Since I applied for scholarship, the school automatically included me as a member of BeST (Becarios De Santo Tomas) and I have to admit, I’m anxious in the 15^th of June for college life will formally begin. I’m now looking forward for initiation of a new chapter of my life as a college (Pharmacy) student.

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/patz12

The Story and the Critique

 

While walking on a dark thoroughfare, a girl is menaced by an intoxicated man, who attempts to abuse her sexually. As the attempt begins to frighten the girl, a man appears and slays the man and flees with the girl from the scene.

After some time, a man named Pablo Gonzalez, revealed to be the man who murdered a drunken man, is put into a penitentiary. He is with his spiritual advisor and priest, Father Lim, who is accountable of giving him his last confession before his sentence to death, with which Pablo refuses to have. He recollects the past events of causing his imprisonment and shares with Father Lim his sentiments for his loved ones after the incident. He feels disappointment for his friends, family and his girlfriend Christina (the girl he saved), realizing that he doesn’t receive visits from them. He also expresses how much suffering he has after the disaffiliation of his family, blaming it all to his mother after his father’s death. Afterwards, the guards come in informing Pablo several people have come to visit him.

Father Lim leaves Pablo for Andres Gorospe to have a personal talk with the condemned. Then, Pablo denies he knows his first visitor but Andres tries to make himself clear to him as his childhood friend. Pablo expresses his depressing thoughts to his friend and gratitude for not forgetting him. After the time expires, Simeon Sereno comes in, his friend and partner in every bad leisure pursuit such as gambling and drinking. Pablo conveys his pure disappointment with him for being a best friend who doesn’t understand him. Simeon explains the reason why he isn’t able to speak to him for he spends his time with his girl, having leprosy. For a short time, they have talked and Simeon leaves for the next visitor.

Pablo is grateful for his aunt Chedeng Gonzalez, the one whom his mother left him. They have an emotional talk and aunt Chedeng has given him a crucifix as his guidance through his final moments. He asks him to confess before he ‘leaves’. Subsequently, Christina, his girlfriend and the girl he has saved comes in and becomes moved. As they talk about the past and their future, Pablo asks Father Lim to marry them inside the prison before his time, with Simeon, Andres and Aunt Chedeng as witnesses. After their ‘marriage’, Pablo’s imposing mother, Angela Gonzalez, comes and pleads for his forgiveness in which Pablo does after a few moments. After that, the guards come in to take Pablo to the execution room and his loved ones cry as he’s sentenced to death.

The story above was depicted in reality in a form of a play presentation. Our school had a DramaFest today with four literary works from all HS levels were presented and our (4th year HS students’) entry was “The Condemned” (story above).

The play was very superior but had some issues. First with the decent side, the play was able to depict the story splendidly even in a limited time. The story was fully understood because of the clear, precise and explicable expression and direction. The casting was also fine and I really loved all the cast’s acting. I had goose bumps for I felt the factual presence of the truthful emotions of the characters from the cast, especially from the moving scenes such as the moment when Christina cried when Pablo was brought to the execution room and heartfelt performance from Pablo’s mother who pleaded for his forgiveness. In addition, the play brought out such an incontrovertible impact on the audience when Pablo and Christina had their intimate moments with each other.

On the other hand, it had some issues. One was that the background music used didn’t match with the decisive factors of the event which was in Filipino language, not in the projected English medium however, the Filipino songs used brought out more emotions in the scenes which was good. It had technical problems also which spoiled the scene of Pablo’s confession and other music was played, not matching with it. The good side with it was that the actors continued to do their part, proving that the show must go on regardless of any predicament.

To wrap it up, the play was excellent. I loved the performance and the story itself. It was such an emotional anecdote testing how love can withstand in circumstances, even death, whether in family or the one we love as a partner, and the play really showed it impressively.

CAST:

• Zeejay Lobo as Pablo Gonzalez
• Kimberly Arsenio as Christina (nominated for Best Actress)
• Sharmaine Florante as Angela Gonzalez (nominated for Supporting Actress)
• Vanessa Gongora as Aunt Chedeng Gonzalez
• Edmundo Apelo as Andres Gorospe
• Andrej Gatchalian as Simeon Sereno (nominated for Best Supporting Actor)
• Lakan Gaspar as Father Lim
• Jademond Acielo & James Alminar as rapists (2 were shown in the play with 1 in the original)
• Robinson Notarte & Clarence Santos as security guards

I ‘m really proud about these:

• Zeejay James N. Lobo – Best Actor (won)
• Camille Viktoria Calimag – Best Director (won)
• “The Condemned” (4th Year students) – Best Play (won)

Congratulations to all 4th Year students!!!

Two Fêtes in One

February 20, 2010: Doubtlessly one of the most wonderful combined events of my life. A Sunday that I will never forget because it’s our Juniors’-Seniors’ Promenade Night and I celebrated by 16th birthday!

A morning “surprise” woke me up at 7:00am as my mom and dad prepared my aspired cake from Red Ribbon “Chocolate Heaven”. Unlike last year of having literally countless visitors for my birthday, this time, only three of us rejoiced my once-a-year episode. I blew the petite blue candle and I didn’t care even it’s breakfast for I gobbled up a slice of my much-awaited cake. Mom prepared her most delicious recipe of the spaghetti, which I really enjoyed. I told them not to give me presents for I already had my own when I bought the “one whole set” of Friday the 13th films which cost P _ _ _ _. (secret) After a few moments, someone’s at the gate and finally the letter from DLSU came, confirming my slot. :D

Time really went fast and my birthday’s like just any typical day. I just surfed the internet, reviewed for my monthly examinations and even slept to let time pass until 3:00pm. When I woke up, it’s time to prepare for the JS Prom. It was the fiesta of Taytay that’s why even the program’s 7:00pm, we’re about to leave at 4. I put on my apple green polo then my unsullied gray pants and matched 2-button coat on. Got my breath freshener, perfume, foundation and I was all set.

We arrived in the premises at 5 and waited for 1 hour until my friends came. At 6, a photo shoot occurred first then, we formed a line for the program.

Me and my partner Winnie!

At 7, we were in the grounds and sat on the adorned tables. I really felt that my school prepared a “party” for me with the 3rd and 4th year students as my “guests”. I was overwhelmed because God gave me such happiness at that night. At 9, our class together with the other sections performed our cotillion and dance numbers and well, it worked well with my partner Winnie, wearing her gorgeous black shimmering dress with some sort of a “hat” on her head. Subsequently, the candle light ceremony was next and we sang  Ryan Cabrera’s song “True”. After the ceremony, my classmates greet me a happy birthday but they were reprimanded by one of the teachers for their noise. I felt humiliated at that time for Winnie answered the teacher’s question “who’s celebrating a birthday?!”. I cried until the dinner time while hearing the apologies of my classmates. I needed time before I recovered.

Speaking of food, we had chicken, pata, beef with cream sauce, chopsuey and other undefined provisions with rice. I only ate the chopsuey and some of the chicken for some didn’t taste good. I pulled through when the “dance party” began for that’s my most-awaited part to bring out all my stress. I finally accepted their apologies and got the party started!

I 25 out of the 26 girls in our class plus one former classmate of mine from other section, Melissa, making a total of 26 girls. It was tiring but I had fun. I let out my wayward attitude on the dance floor together with my “party-going” friends! We all had fun, especially me, for I had the chance to have fun and forget all homework and projects to do even for just one night. I had pleasure but last year’s prom was better than this year.

STATUS:

• Longest Dance (2 separate songs – about 5 mins.) – Andrea Gabriel
• Girls I danced the most number of times – Juzelle Javier, Winnie Eliab, Andrea Gabriel (2 songs each)
• First Dance – Raisa Brillo
• Last Dance – Celine Mesina
• Craziest Dance – Juzelle Javier

During the party, Alianna gave me 3 gifts: a smiley button, handkerchief and a cellphone hanger. Thanks Yanna! At 12am also, my best friend Lance celebrated  his 16th birthday when he took the chance to have his dance with his girl for 20 mins. xD

That’s about it. I was tired but contented. I got home by 5am and slept until 12pm. I’d say it’s a night to remember!

Captured Moments from JS Prom

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I’m sixteen!

A Strenuous Week

This year 2010, my Alma Mater, Cainta Catholic College, celebrates its Golden Jubilee celebration (50th year) and for one whole week, different events happened to me during our Foundation Week (Feb. 14 – 19).

Day 1: There’s “No Valentine’s Day for the lovers in CCC. Once again, we had our parade for the whole community of Cainta would know about the CCC’s remarkable event. We had walked from the Municipal all the way to the very outlying Junction. It was quite excruciating to walk for 2 and a half hours and all of us probably felt pains in our feet, sweat and exhaustion from that walk holding balloons. I did a lot of ways to ease the thirst and pain at that time, including contracting an ice cream vendor to “ride” on his cart in exchange of buying ice cream from him, singing, talking a lot and sneak to buy food to overcome my stress. Thank God by asthma didn’t attack me at that time.

FRAMES OF MIND: Exhaustion and exasperation

Day 2: Nothing much happened here. I was so bored that I didn’t know what to do. . I just had 6 pizzas that day. :D

FRAMES OF MIND: Depression and boredom

Day 3: It’s a good thing that my parents let me to bring my laptop and I took the chance of using the school’s Wi-Fi wisely. Later in the afternoon, as an Uhay staffer, I took coverage of the event in the auditorium entitled “An Afternoon with Pilita” when I saw Pilita Corrales live and she did 132 “body bends” as she sang her songs.

FRAMES OF MIND: Excitement and happiness

 

Day 4: It was Ash Wednesday and all Catholic people had their foreheads put with ash. I was assigned to be the First Reader in the mass with Monsignor as the celebrant which made me nervous. But, thank God I didn’t make a flaw as I read. One of my classmates brought her mini DVD player and I was in charge to bring the VCDs and DVDs to relieve our boredom of doing almost nothing. We watched Kristen Stewart’s film “The Messengers” and I had fun watching the girls screech in the scary scenes of the film.

FRAMES OF MIND: Amusement and anxiety

Day 5: We watched the first ever musical play of the school entitled “Pangarap” which informed the people watching about the history of CCC. I thought the play’s decent but typical. Then, in the rest of the day, I, with my co-members in Ginintuang Uhay stayed in the Uhay office, making the playbill for the musical play, when I took advantage of the fast internet. :D

FRAME OF MIND: Tolerance

Day 6: It was all work and no play for me that day for I worked on the playbill/ flyers for “Pangarap” for 5 hours. My only break was when the faculty performed their dance number on “Fire” and “Shake Body Dancer” and when Yuri from Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up went to CCC where she graduated High School (some said). I got a chance to have 2 pictures with her and all I can say’s that she’s pretty. :D

FRAMES OF MIND: Seventh Heaven and utmost stress

Ang ganda niya!!! - me

Anong maganda? Patrick, aral muna. (joking) – Ma’am Bernados :D

Day 7: Different story :D

‘Til here.

A Thousand Words

FIRST PHOTOBLOG POST: Photos we (from the MAPSA Conference) took during our free time. Enjoy!

     

I will protect you.

*Photo Captured by Danielle Erika Hill

 

A broken road.

*Photo captured by Danielle Erika Hill

*Photo captured by Danielle Erika Hill 

Nothing’s gonna stop us now.

Beautiful in my eyes.

*Photo captured by Jeremy Marron

I see your true colors shining through.

*Photo captured by Danielle Erika Hill

 

You are not alone.

*Photo captured by Patz

Count your blessings.

*Photos captured by Winnie Joy R. Eliab (red rose) and Patz (3 others)

Hope in His eyes.

*Photo captured by Patz

Triumphs in Cavite!

In God, there’s no failure.

UNFORGETTABLE: The “one” word I can say about my whole experience in Silang, Cavite. I was one of the exalted ones to participate in the MAPSA Press Conference for the second and last time. This conference is a special occurrence for people, especially for campus journalists under the Diocese of Antipolo to partake in several contests and mingle with other schools to make friends.

5:00am: The CCC team went to La Salette Shrine Cavite very early. We were I think the earliest school to come there. The place’s good but I thought last year’s setting was way better. We explored the place, took our first shots, whether in candid or in photography mode. The place’s really cool. Trees encircle 85% of the place, cool air, soft wet grass to stargaze upon, tiny ponds and more.

We had several snacks before proceeding to the contest proper. At the first part of the program, I got a hint that the said program would be the topic for the News Writing category (where I would compete) so I carefully listened to the details. After that, snacks, test then snacks and at 2:00pm, goodbye happy times, hello pens and papers.

Before the competition, the team was separated into groups depending on what category we’re participating. We were taught by Ma’am dela Cuesta in all categories of the conference and I got surprised that she’d be the judge of my category! She’s funny but very strict so I didn’t know what to expect. 3:00pm, the game started.

And I was right, the topic’s all about the 3rd MAPSA Conference from the morning up to the moment we (contestants) were writing our articles. Honestly, I felt heaps of confidence for I already knew what to write but at the same time anxious because of the time pressure, where I’m weak at. I held my rosary in my hand as I wrote my article with shakes and shivers. After 55 minutes, only 3 still write and I was one of them. It took me a long time for I repeated my work twice to avoid erasures. The time’s up and I let go of my entry, worried about the judgment the next day.

Hearing the news of my co-team members saying they’re NOT going to win made me feel the same. From the disappointment we each felt after the contest, we let go of our emotions through picture-takings and throwing rocks. Time went fast in La Salette, for the night began with the “Socialization Night”. As usual, I was jaded with the program. Games “Pinoy Henyo” and tableau making were done, including Mr. and Ms. MAPSA 2010, with my friend Michelle as the lovely and sexy representative of our Diocese. At 11, lights off.

February 10: A Wednesday full of edginess and fear for the results were in. Jeremy and I went to a place where a “maze” of plants was situated and we followed the track which led to Jesus’ monument. As we pray, a bee suddenly burst out from nowhere and we gave an interpretation of the demon’s distraction. Anyway, after the delicious breakfast, at 8, the awarding ceremony commenced. GOD IS GOOD because CCC won most of the awards! I won 3rd place in News Writing (English) (from 9th place last year).

The fruit of my endeavor

• BEST PARTICIPATING SCHOOL – Cainta Catholic College (3rd place)
• BEST NEWS PAGE – 5th place
• BEST SPORTS PAGE – 6th place
• BEST LAYOUT DESIGN – 6th place
• BEST EDITORIAL PAGE – 5th place
• EDITORIAL CARTOONING – 2nd place (Marion from III – St. Albert)
• KARTUNING – 1st Place (Celine Mesina)
• SPORTS WRITING – 2nd Place (Jeremy Marron)
• NEWS WRITING – 3rd place (ME!)
• PAGSULAT NG ISPORTS – 6th place (Benj Ortiz)
• PAGSULAT NG BALITA – Pauline Hernandez
• PAGSULAT NG EDITORYAL – 1st place (Romar Fernando)
• PAG-UULO & PAGWAWASTO – 4th place(Rhoniel Brondo)
• PHOTOJOURNALISM – 1st place (Danielle Hill)
• PHOTOJOURNALISM (TAGALOG) – 2nd Place (Winnie Eliab)
• FEATURE WRITING – 1st place (Michelle Acielo)
• PAGSULAT NG LATHALAIN – 3rd place (Lance dela Cruz)

My recognition and Lance’s served as God’s early birthday gifts to us (Feb. 20 & 21 respectively) which was very fulfilling. We were really blessed in this year’s MAPSA. We left La Salette bagged with awards, pictures and memories we will treaure forever, although we failed to be friends with other schools. :D

What I had learned from the 2-day journey in MAPSA’s that I should never stop believing and the power of the mind’s really essential. Moreover, prayer and faith to God never fails because God’s always staying by our sides.

Captured Moments in La Salette

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Kudos Ginintuang Uhay (CCC Team) Staff!