Time to do multi-tasking, set priorities

We have always been bombarded with a lot of stories about people who cannot and do not have the chance to study a certain degree in the college or university he/she likes or even deserves. It is not a new story in this country. It has always been like that. Poverty. Poverty. Poverty. Many Filipinos continue struggling to live in this third world country day by day. But we must not blame the government alone. Blame the society we are in to.

The story of Lyndon John S. de Leon in the June 22, 2011 issue of PDI was an eye-opener for all who has read it. It is an ordinary story for most of us. But still, we have that soft side that keeps us feel pity over individuals with such case. More importantly, because he is a supposed to be student of the University of the Philippines Manila, we eventually embark more 'panghihinayang'. The fact that he passed the UPCAT is an indication that he is bright and has a big dream that he eagerly wants to fulfill. Long and behold, that dream may never be attained for he ended up studying today the course he never liked and dreamed.

What lies ahead in the students who are in the same place as Lyndon? They can end up unsuccessful or not that successful. But chances are, along the way, they will love the profession they have entered to.

President Noynoy Aquino keeps on saying that he needs to solve the problems that the past administration had left. Yes, it is true that he has lots of things to do and more, to accomplish. But, I am sure there are many ways for him to tackle and solve not only the problems from the past but also the ones we have today - the present. It is time for President Aquino to face what the Philippines is currently showing him. We have to look at the past in order for us to move on, that's right! Yet, we are far behind from the present. Now is the time to do multi-tasking.

I am not demanding President Aquino to move immediately as soon as possible. But I want him to set priorities. Why not invest on education more than anything else? I strongly believe that education is still the most important tool for a person to grow and develop to become a more effective citizen of his/her country. Let us take Japan for example. Unlike Philippines, they have less when it comes to natural resources. But look at how they conquer the world in terms of economy? They are now one of the countries with the strongest economies.

Their government has empowered its citizens. These citizens are the primary reasons why their country zoomed to the top in a short span of time. I think we should adopt what they did. The government, I guess, should empower us. Empower through education; education that is enough to compensate our hunger for knowledge. And after that, everything we ought to have and wished to do will surely follow.

AMY

We decided to take the available seats at the far right corner of the jam-packed classroom. I grabbed one chair immediately without second thoughts. She was on my left holding a pen and a small notebook with a lot of scribbled words that I cautiously tried to understand. They appeared to me like personal notes or some sort of reminders which were intended to be understood by the one who has written them.

Everyone around us started talking and conversing with each other. There was a gradual build-up of noise and it seemed like anytime soon the room will burst out. Hence, we cannot start-up the engine of our own “who-are-you” conversation at that moment. Silence was in-between the two of us not until I began to ask how will we ignite a supposed to be continuous talk.

Later on, she asked tons of things about me using the Tagalog-English language or what we normally call Taglish, even though she said “I’m not very vocal”. She might have grown up speaking the foreign language possibly because she was enrolled in a private school, and that she came from a wealthy family who manages a poultry farm. She talks in a fast manner and even writes as fast as she talks. I was there popping my naked eyes out to see how she was able to write that way.

This is my classmate who I came to know a few days ago. Her name is Amirah Andres better known to everyone with the nick Amy. It is not pronounced as it is but instead in a more westernized way and goes like this: Ey-Mi. It’s a unique way of uttering the name “Amy” which we, Filipinos, normally read as ‘ah-my’. Her friends coined it from Britney Spears’ song entitled “If you seek Amy”.

She has a very realistic outlook in life and normally expects the unexpected so as not to disappoint herself. It is because of this perception in life that people characterized her as a pessimistic person. But nobody who is a pessimist would probably say what she told me, “I always like to win.”

Having been raised by semi-strict parents, almost everyone would have the impression that she could be a brat or something worse than that. “If I don’t know you, I’m mataray. But once you get to know me, you’re life will change.” Amy said. And everybody must stand corrected for she is really not snobby.

On that day, she was wearing a light green polo shirt that was paired with ‘jeggings’ or leggings that look like jeans. She was dressed enough to convince everyone that she loves shopping, and of course, fashion. Because it was a rainy day, I chose to wear my one-year-old rubber shoes. I looked down her feet and was in awe to see her wearing a pair of small white shiny boots. It was simply perfect for the weather.

She began telling me things she normally do. “I used to design websites, css and html codes. I’m adept at Photoshop,” she said. She also mentioned that arts and craft is her hobby. She eats yogurt instead of the top favorite ice cream and has thousands of songs in her IPod’s library that she listens to depending on her mood.

She prefers meeting people personally and dislikes the modern way of befriending somebody through modern techniques such as the use of social networking sites like Facebook. She does not have an account there, for real. Yet, it doesn’t mean she has an inactive social life when in fact, she said she very much “like to go out and have fun!”

I opened up the topic about books. “I like reading books,” I said, “…especially the detective type” She was also into books but more on the classical ones. She said in reply, “I love reading classics; ‘20,000 leagues under the sea’, ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Sherlock Homes’, ‘Great Expectations’ and etc,” She added one of Charles Dickens’ famous books, “A Tale of Two Cities”

She listens attentively while I talk and tell stories about myself and my family with a matching gesture of the eyes opening wide. This happens specifically when you tell her things that amaze her or when you are telling her about things you can do which she never thought you can.

Moreover, as we go on with the simple talk, she looks like a reporter grasping every bit of important detail as if it was history that can never be repeated. She would eventually look at me then to her notebook then again to me and to her notebook. That went on until we ended the conversation. I can see her sincerity in listening intently and at the same time the curiosity while we chitchat.

Amy, who was once a member of the religious group Youth for Christ; who had a chaperone up until she was in second year high school; who would rather write down her thoughts and feelings instead of sharing them to her friends; who learned how to commute only when she was a junior; and who has a medium length silky black hair that is hanging loosely from her head with dark brown eyes and body covered by peach-white skin begins to live independently and bravely as a college student to fulfill her greatest goal in life. That is to be successful in the field she has chosen.

(Comm1 Personality Sketch, 1st Sem AY 11-12)

2011 LACTACYD CONFIDANCE

Dancing is a well-known form of art throughout the world. Many, if not all, know how to groove their bodies with the rhythm of sound. Due to our fondness of dancing, we created dance contests or competitions to enhance our dancing skills and to recognize who among us stands out. Our country is of no exemption to these dancing activities. Barangays, Universities, and organizations are some of the organizers of these contests. Many are joining such contests not because of the prize but because of their passion in dancing.

Recently, I was able to watch one of the country’s many dance contests. The inclement weather did not stop ten dance groups from different universities and colleges who made it to the grand finals of the 2011 Lactacyd Confidance from heating up the dance floor of SM North-Skydome last Saturday.

The event started later than the scheduled time. Audience and supporters lined up and waited outside the dome for more or less an hour. But the spirit was all in when the event finally started. Hosts came from the Kabarkada Channel, Studio 23, together with a female DJ from Tambayan 101.9. ABS-CBN covered the whole event and is scheduled to air on television next Saturday.

De La Salle University hooked up the Championship this year and brought home a trophy and PhP100,000 after showcasing a clean and dynamic routine. UP Diliman Streetdance and UP Manila Indayog landed on 1^st and 2^nd runner-up, respectively.

Other finalists included UP Manila Belle, Asia Pacific College, Ateneo De Manila University, DLSU College of St. Benilde, Miriam College, College of the Holy Spirit, and the people’s choice awardee, Far Eastern University.

Lactacyd, a leading brand of feminine wash, initiated and sponsored the said event boosting up the confidence level of young women through dancing.

I find the event a good way to show the dancing skills and talents of female college students. I believe the objective of the contest was met leaving behind the fact that in a way it was an advertising mechanism.

All participants performed well. There is no doubt that they reached the finals. But I will agree with one of the three judges who commended UP Manila Indayog. Among the rest, they were the group who staged a routine that was very feminine. I was also expecting ADMU to have a place on the Top 3. It is because their routine was somewhat perfect and eye-catching. They have performed a routine I never thought they can. On the one hand, there is no other reason to contend the results. The winners deserve it.

During the duration of the contest, I was a little bit puzzled with what the hosts were doing. I have asked myself more than twice if what I was looking at was just a rehearsal. It wasn’t clear to me at all not until they announced that it will be aired on Studio 23. And so, I concluded that they were recording it. They did a lot of takes because the hosts were committing mistakes. Sure enough, it consumed a lot of valuable time.

The venue was enough to accommodate the expected audience. I’ve seen vacant seats around. I think not all knew about the event and that the admission is free. I suppose the committee on public relations of the said event lack the effort in disseminating information. If not, it may be the bad weather and the closing of MRT Line 3 on that day which hindered some supporters from going to the event place.

Students, parents, friends and even educators were present to witness the event. The crowd was crazy of their own bets. It was fun to cheer for the teams that represented your university.

This is not my first time to watch a dance contest. However, it was somehow different from what I’ve seen in the province. Many of what I saw in the suburbs we’re copied or else lousy routines. While here in the Metro, what I can say is that new ideas are revolving around.

The contest served as an avenue to bring out creativity and of course teamwork and unity. Moreover, I am sure that the dancers allotted time and effort to come up with a bombastic dance routine. It all paid off for we were all entertained.

I will grab other opportunities like this. It is one of the Four Extras stated by Richard Burkhardt that we, freshmen, should avail. Aside from the entertainment value, life’s lessons not taught in school are learned here and besides it’s free. This will make my college life complete.

It is true that dancing is already in our system. Humans have established different kinds of dances that can be performed in various occasions and programs. We, then, must learn to love and appreciate it no matter what. After all, dancing is an effective means of expressing yourself and enhancing one’s self-confidence as proven by the finalists.