Four men maul, shoot Ateneo law student

MANILA - An Ateneo de Manila Law School student has been seriously injured after being shot and beaten by his fellow law students in front of his boarding house in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City Friday night. Sophomore Albert Pangcog, 29, is said to be in stable condition after undergoing an operation at the Makati Medical Center. Reports said Pangcog just alighted from a vehicle and was about to enter the boarding house when four men allegedly attacked him past 10 p.m. The men were reportedly wearing bonnets to hide their faces. Pangcog was reportedly beaten up by the men who even hit his head with a pipe. Pangcog fought back and tried to remove the bonnets concealing the suspects’ faces. This led him to identify his attackers. Soon after, Pangcog was shot on his thigh by one of the attackers before the suspects fled the scene on their own vehicle. The suspects were identified as Mark Bryan Magno and Randy Echaus, both Ateneo law students, Lyceum of the Philippines law students Mark Lester Magno and Carlos Lim. Mark Bryan was arrested inside the Ateneo law campus in Rockwell Center, Makati. He was positively identified by Pangcog when authorities brought him to the hospital and presented him to the victim. The three other suspects are still at large. The suspects’ motive is not yet known. According to the victim’s father, lawyer Alberto Pangcog, his son does not even know his attackers personally. Police declined to comment on the matter in order to protect those involved in the incident. Officials of the Ateneo law school and Mark Bryan's camp also declined to give a statement. The Ateneo law school, meantime, vowed to create a committee to investigate the incident. Report from Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News

* I guess this incident is frat-related. But whether it's frat-related or not, shame on these guys who don't even have the balls to show their faces as they beat this poor law student!

To the attackers of this law student: You should start taking some moral fiber guys! 'Coz you don't deserve to be admitted in the legal profession!! I hope you'll serve time in jail for what you did.

Tsk! Tsk! Ayaw nalang kasi mag-aral eh.. :D

Tax Benefit

Our professor in Tax 2 told us her own story of coping up with Law School. During the times when she's just starting she realized how hard law school is. So far from her expectation. She thought that after her bachelor's degree in the same university, law school will be easy. Aside from the pile of books and cases to be read, it's hard for a commuter like her to find enough time to study. And so after one semester or two (if I'm not mistaken) she took a leave of absence just to think if she really wants to be a lawyer.

Listening through her story, I pictured myself during those times when I was confused if I really wanted to be a lawyer. I remember those times when I am having a hard time focusing on my studies. Those times were really tough because I really do not know exactly what I want to do in my life. There are times when I want to get a job because I want to earn money to buy the things I want. It's just hard to see myself still living dependently with my parents. With my age, I felt I just need to move out.

Listening to her story, I got inspired. Well, aside from the constant inspiration she gives me everytime she holds class (hehe!!), her story was an inspiration to me. Sort of a tax benefit! :) I never believed a bar-topnotcher like her would experience the difficulty and confusion I've once experienced. I admired her strength in coping up with said confusion.

Reflecting on what she told in class last Monday, I can say that I really want to be a lawyer and I believe despite the failures I experienced or yet to experience, no one would hinder my dream, except myself. So from this moment on, I'll stop procrastinating, and FOCUS on my goal!

On quitting...

My emotions do not make sense anymore. Grrr!! I hate to think that it's because, the major disappointment that everyone felt when our unofficial grades were released last week in WILLS, is actually sinking now. Well, Im not quite sure about it. What I am only certain is that the drive I have before the semester started, is slowly fading away. Except for WILLS, a lot of unexpected events totally destroyed my momentum. I'm talking about my relationships in and out of school. For the past few days, I've been thinking of quitting again.. I've been thinking of just escaping.. I know for myself that I have the ability to confront everything or everyone. Now, I'm hating myself because I just can't do it..

<><><><><><>
As of tonight, I am still in doubt of someone.. I always wanted to talk yet I feel that this person doesn't want to. All along I thought that everything's fine, but actions speak louder than words. It's the problem with the culture we have. A culture which doesn't like confrontations.. I'm pissed because I cannot be myself. I should watch my words and just try not to offend or cause some misunderstanding.

It's cool to have so many friends.. Yet it's hard to maintain a friendship, for things would just get in limbo without you knowing it..

<><><><><><><>
Someone very close to me left me without even giving a warning.. I know, it's a choice that this person has to make and I respect that decision. But this person cannot even stand his/her ground. And being someone dear to me, I am torn. I don't know what to do. Grrrr!!! I am hyperventilating right now...

I want to help this person, yet I don't have the courage to do it. I don't even have the resources. And how can someone help one who don't even know what to do with his life?..

<><><><><><>>
I feel like quitting.. I feel like sacrificing my most cherished dream, just to give way.. I know I'm almost there, but with the turn of events, maybe it's time to leave, in the meantime..

Law Student Passing-Probability

Which of the following students have the highest probability of passing his/her subjects?

a. A diligent and average law student.
b. A delinquent and a bright law student.
c. Neither.
d. Same level

My points of view, next entry.. :)

POV on Law School Injustice..

I ended up with a query on my previous entry on whether there really is 'injustice in lawschool'. Answering this from my observation and from my own experience, I would say that there really is Injustice in Law School.

Finding out that a lot of students in a certain subject failed and considering that these students are not those who, I can say are delinquents and are very much at par with others, one would really ask why they would fail the subject. I agree with the fact that a law student is not a master of every course that law school has to offer and thus it is not an assurance that one would pass a subject if he passed the other. But I believe that this fact would only hold true if there would be transparency in the grading system of the school. And I think the students concerned were not afforded such right to it.

Basic in constitutional law is the right to due process of every person. This is an enshrined right granted by the fundamental law of the land. The right which prohibits deprivation of life, liberty and property due process of law. Without thinking about the notion of 'being grade conscious', one would say that one's grade in every subject in law school is a law student's measure of survival. It is one's property right. It is not only one's property right, but as well as one's life, in that such property is inevitable for a law student's existence in law school. These rights must likewise be protected in such a way that justice must prevail. Justice as characterized by the labor law maxim of: "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.", or similarly the popular bible verse in book of Matthew: "Give To each his due".

Despite these observation I have in lawschool, I am certain that if the people who think that they have the power to overturn justice, Someone out there has the supreme power to tilt the scales of justice in its right position. And as advocate of Buddhism, Karma lies ahead..

STRIKE 2!

And so I failed again for the second time in one of my subjects, Law on Intellectual property that is. I got 69! . Isn't that something I should be ashamed of!? Like insurance, I was somewhat expecting it, since I incurred a lot of absences, and I was SO DAMN LUCKY to get called in the recitation in one of those absences!

I felt bad when I got the news that I failed in a minor subject, AGAIN!, who wouldn't? I was not really surprised since I conditioned myself on all the possibilities, good or bad. But I am not ready to accept the fact that there was no break down of the grades. There was not even the slightest mark of transparency. One would ask how our grades were computed? What was the basis/es of our grades, when we didn't even know the results of the midterm nor the final exams?

Someone told me to ask a reconsideration of my grade. But I think I would just create another injustice when there are others who failed whose grades are above mine and are just behind a few percentage to pass.

So, as of the last count I already have 2 back subjects with an equivalent of 4 units. Well, I can still finish law school in 4 years, since I can overload a maximum of 6 units, but damn, it will be a hassle for me since there would be some conflict in my schedule if ever I would take those back subjects in the fourth year.

As I always say, which is so much a cliche, there are reasons why things happen.. And I know for sure that there are reasons if ever I wouldn't be able to graduate in four years time. And I am very much willing to accept it.

Now, just a thought..
Does injustice start in Law School? Well for me, it does..

Update. Update..

Wednesday. October 29. It was enrollment day. Medyo nakakainis kasi late ako dumating to get the schedule so, nasarahan ako ng magandang schedule. I was a little but irritated kasi wala man lang kumuha ng number sakin para naman nakaabot din ako sa magandang sked, but I just rationalize things and realized that as an advocate of justice, eh, to be fair with those who woke up early and went to school even before the enrollment starts eh I should really give way. And I must suffer the consequences.

And so as I've said to my closest classmates, that weighing the schedules of the two sections we chose from, I could say that there are advantages naman choosing the section we're we enrolled at. Isa pa, I actually thought about the night before the enrollment of taking tax 2 with Prof. Acosta rather than Caban. It would be more advantageous I think for me in the BAR.

Anyway, bat ganun kaya? ang awkward pa din namin ni Mike. I want to talk to him, but finding out that he failed Civil Procedure and automatic 5 years na sya sa law school, I kind of hesitated. Knowing him, I know it really is painful for him. I don't know what really happened to him, but the results of the midterms exams is really sort of a bird's eye view na of what's going to be the result of our final grades with Dean Jara. During these times, I want to be a friend to him, well I am naman. But I want to at least comfort him, and let him feel that I am here. May pinagsamahan din naman kami, which unfortunately medyo nasira. Anyway, I know there's a reason for his failure and he'll soon be grateful when he finds it in the end.

As scheduled, the interview for the prospective college scholars of ours was conducted also last wednesday afternoon. So ayun, we have to choose from the initial four students. I was shocked nung nagstart na kami and 3 of the four students cried during the interview when they are telling their family background and other things about them. I was a little bit rude I know, when I grinned once in a while, but I really felt whatever they are dealing with.

Nakakalungkot isipin na may mga tulad pala nila na kahit na naghihikahos sa buhay eh, gusto talagang makatapos ng pag-aaral. Yung iba kasi sa kanila, wala ng pamilya at nag-woworking student. Naisip ko nalang napakaswerte ko pa din talaga, na nakakapagaral ako. These students really inspired me more. These students taught me to value everything I have right now. I want to thank these people. They have somehow, strengthened the passion I have to continually support the advocacy for change. The passion of helping the needy when I became a lawyer.

I'll trust my instincts from now on!

Hindi ko kinakaya yung mga nangyayari.. Well figuratively! I should have not doubted my instincts! I should have entertained the thought so I wouldn't feel this way. Hehe! I really don't know what to feel right now. Pwede kasi ako mag-tampo, but I just can't eh. Siguro, somehow, I feel left-out lang, but I'm a little bit used to that eh, so parang hangin lang sya na dumaan. Pwedeng itulog.

With everything I've been through. With all the realizations I had with respect to my relationships, with friends, acquaintances, lovers and others, I must say that I can endure every emotion that comes my way. Bring it on! I don't know if I'm really apathetic or plain insensitive. I even told a friend that, I can be on my own. Mas ok nga yun eh, walang distractions. Walang kailangang pakisamahan. Walang kaartehan. Walang kalandian. Walang sakitan. I don't have to consider the feelings of others.

As I always say, it's really hard to accept the fact that one cannot find friends in the real world. (Well I consider Law School as part of the real world). Kumbaga, the term "friends" in law school would be equivalent to a "companion", a buddy. Yun bang kasa-kasama, for convenience purposes. And ultimately for survival. Well of course, you really can't survive on your own in law school. Gamitan. Gaguhan. Back-stabban. It's hard. Napakahirap, buti madali ko na-set yung mind ko that, in the end, my success depends entirely on me. Hindi ako nagkamali sa realization ko that, my relationships with people in law school should be on a professional level. It's really hard when you mix it up kasi with emotions.

It may be hard but it's the only way to be more focused with my studies, and that is to detach myself with others emotionally. It may appear unfair to some people close to me that I somewhat drift away (well if ever these people really care enough for me). But I need to do this, because I don't want to let my emotions eat me again. I don't want other people ruin my goals. Tama na siguro yung pakikisama, because I really tried my best to forge the friendship I desire, but it was futile. Ako din ang talo in the end.

So in conclusion, focus na talaga ako sa studies. I'll totally ignore the drama na. And kung wala talaga ako companions in law school, so be it, I really have to fend for myself.

Hay.. the field of law!

Hmm.. I've been busy for quite sometime because of law school, which is really getting tougher and tougher as days go by, but so far so good, yet I still want to vent out which I often do as you know, when something's bugging me. Well, it has long been my problem when I entered the system, which is law school. I wonder if ever the connotation that the law profession is so dirty would leave my senses, when in fact, even if you're still in law school you experience some dirty tactics of your fellow students, moreso if they are your close friends and they offer you to take their materials. It's like you're being pushed to use a prohibited drug which later on would make you addicted and cannot live without it.

I am not certain whether the things on my mind could be considered dirty tactics in order to pass one's subjects but somewhat I feel that there is injustice going on. I really admire those classmates of mine who really settle for what is fair and just for their fellow students. I do try as much as possible not to be singled-out by the system but it is really tempting, because it's a sure way for a passing mark, but with the sense of idealism I have I really feel so disgusted when I see those 'dirty harry's.

I must admit, I had my share of those 'dirty harry' things, and I feel bad about it. It only shows that I, too have been maligned by the system. There's this struggle going on right now in my mind, thoughts are flowing in and out. Thoughts which provoke my inner senses either to fight the system, to live up with the system and shut my mouth or join those dirty harry's. It's hard to choose, even choosing the lesser evil makes you wonder whether it would give you good results.

Hay.. the field of law!

What a way to start the sem!

June 2. Scheduled to meet Nil, Mari, Ivan and Mike at 9AM at school to see if there are available schedules already. But upon knowing that Nil and Mari is still at San Pedro, I chilled for a while at Starbucks in Madrigal. After a while they arrived, and we drop Mari's yaya and her family in SM Southmall, then we picked up Mike in his apartment. We headed to school where we find Ivan who's waiting for quite sometime, and finding out that there's still no schedule available! Hmmp!

Nil, Mike and me went to the library and stayed there for a while. When the library's about to close we went to have lunch at SM and afterwhich we decided to go to the St. jude Church in Mendiola. We shopped at greenhills shoppesville and then had dinnner at tiendesitas!

It was truly fun day for us, well just seeing each other and just having the time to talk about just about anything and fool around and laugh our asses out make me feel so alive! Well, aside from the fact that I can't feel any tension between me and Mike.

What a way to start the sem! :)

Giving in is Giving up..

What do you know? I failed my Insurance Law. And guess what it was my first time to have failed a subject in school my whole life. No one's to blame but me, technically, well I'd like to put blame on someone else but it all boils down on me, though there is some contributory fault I guess that I could attribute to some people. But the thing is it could have not happened if I didn't give in to my emotions. Giving in is like giving up your chance of success. In the game called law school it's inevitable to fail a subject, but you could hasten the possibility if you will try to be tough, ignore your emotions, and just focus on the game, which I didn't. I gave in, and now I must suffer the consequences. Good thing is it's just a two-unit subject and when I checked the curriculum I still could graduate on time, but have to do this double-time now.

Ignoring your emotions and not giving a chance to let it interfere with the game is akin to the pursuit of Nirvana which I am into right now. That's for sure is a plus for me, since I wont have a hard time accepting the failure and its consequences, because somehow along the way, even before I knew it I was prepared to face it.

So no more unintelligent absences anymore! Tama muna ang petiks and read my books and study!

LAW 2

I am wondering whether it would be good for me to join a new group. It even occurred to me that it might be good for me if I join a fraternity. There are some people in school which I admire in the sense that they exude a very strong, unique, and cool personality. Despite the fact that a lot of people get irritated with them still there's something in them which attracts me. I don't know, but I somewhat agree in one of the laws in 48 laws of power which says that you should be more close to your enemies. It gives us an idea that your friends are more dangerous and have the greater tendency to stab you at the back. A logical reason for this is the fact that your feud with your enemies is quite in the wide open and from the moment the feud arose you have managed to master the retaliation measures and the way you're going to be on the look out all the time. This is not so with respect to your friends, because all along you have somewhat invested in them trust which has all the possibilities of being too dangerous in the end.

There are some things which lead me to this line of thinking, but right now, the time is way too far to make a decision, moreso if I am in a state of confusion as a product of my idleness..

By the way here's Rule 2 from 48 Laws of Power the one I'm talking about:

Law 2

Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies

Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.

The week that was..

March 31. Went to meet Ivan at Seattles to submit our papers in transpo and labor. Waited for Mari and went ahead to festival, but to no avail we weren’t able to find a cebuana lhuillier branch there to send money to a prospect maid of theirs. We went to Pacita and pick up Nil who was surprised, kasi naman tinext ni Jimbo pala that there's a planned gimik, huli tuloy kami ni Mari. Anyway we went to Bujick's house to attend the wake of her mom. The death was tragic, I cant imagine the trauma it brought to her and her family.

Another group of Law School people suddenly came. Alright, honestly I am not comfortable with their group so the three of us Nil, Mari and me decided to go ahead well for the same reason and we planned the whole escape thing by texting haha!

Lesson Learned: Life is really unpredictable, you’ll never know when it’s time to GO.. SOMETIMES..

April 1. Got a call from a college batchmate the other day, giving me a one week job for bookkeeping services. What a way to begin the month I have a job! I went to their office, we didn’t sign any engagement contract but she let me quote for my services. I was reluctant at first, basically because I am not quite sure what amount am I going to charge, I was thinking that I might give them an exorbitant one. But in the end, I was made to give them my fee. I charged P500 for each voucher which amounts to P6,000, I added P2,000 for some expenses I would have to incur. So I’ll have P8,000 for a week. I was glad I have retained some accounting knowledge on bookkeeping! Anyway, it was also nice that I get to work with SGV people, I find them okay but there are some who gives me an irritating feeling haha!

By the way the company is China Oilfield Services Limited (Philippine Branch), so there are a lot of Chinese people in the house!


Lesson Learned: I am not going to like the job of an accountant if ever I pursued the career. Thank God!

April 4. Didn’t go to work ‘coz I need to go to Manila to buy some books. Badtrip, it was so hot and damn, really hate the traffic! I was about to visit my cousin at their computer shop near UST but, damn, I anticipated that the traffic would worsen if I stay, so the visit was cancelled. Luckily, I arrived in Alabang at around 3pm I guess, had snack/lunch at Wendy’s Festival Mall and then went home.


Lesson Learned: There are some things you won’t expect that would happen and just bumped your way, and the thing is, you can’t take a U-turn, even if the view is unpleasant.

April 6. And so we just moved in at our new apartment at Tierra Nueva, Alabang for the time being, until a new house at Portofino is finished. O diba? Ang saya! Lipat kami again, well my mom is really unpredictable as I am.The lipat bahay thing was damn exhausting. Maybe I was right in canceling the gathering though I have all the reasons to cancel it because the Kanlungan Peeps are somewhat uncooperative, what is a one peso text man! Anyway, another thing or person is bothering me, i don't know if this person is just disturbed as I am or I am part of the joke. Well, I am kinda upset about this, that's all. (Well, based from the information I got which is after scribbling this, maybe I was wrong..)


Lesson Learned: Change is such a strong word I hate and I am continually hating it. It forces me to seek for reasons on why it happens. It forces me to accept it the way it forces me to immerse myself in it. Damn!

THE WIDE WHITE TABLE

I miss the wide white table, which was witness for my 4 semesters(almost) of studying law.. I miss the inspiration, the drive and motivation that it gives me when I study..

I miss the comfort it gives me when I feel sleepy..

I miss the smiles it gives me..

I just miss everyone who has always been there, sitting beside me or in any corner of the wide white table..

________________________________________________

I have come to realize that it's really hard when you let emotions set in, in your study of law..

Can't keep it all together

Well a lot of changes are happening lately.. Unexpected? I don't think so!

First of all, not so long ago did I talk to a friend about it, and here it is now happening. Maybe one should better be careful what he wishes for, for it may happen and he might not really like it when it's right in front of his face.

What's up with me? 4 days of not attending my classes and then I prefer watching movies at the cinema! What a way to relax after the midterms! Well I think I'm getting so much of it. But to compensate for my absences I do read the topics assigned when I have coffee.

So what did I mean when I said, I can't keep it all together, hmmm.. I meant that I am actually in the midst of falling apart and I just don't know how to make myself whole again after all the changes happening. Maybe I am not just ready to face them.. But I have to deal with it, sooner or later!! And I know everything's gonna be alright!!

Midterms Aftermath

I don't want to expect high grades in my midterms exams, but I think I did quite good in some. But as you know, everythings unexpected and unpredictable in law school! What I wished for is that my efforts would be compensated enough! I'd be happy with that!

Untitled

I am quite appalled when I have heard a news from a friend that he is taking a leave in law school for financial reasons. He cited some advantages for doing so, which I seemed to agree. I never thought that we have the somehow the same line of thinking. Well, lets see if I could take really take the big leap, as I've said my previous post.

Taking the Big Leap

2008 I believe could be one of those years in my existence that I would have to make a big leap!

I'm almost done (well hopefully!), with my 2 years of Law School and I am thinking of taking a time off. I feel like I need a break to release the stress that the toxic law school has caused me. Another thing, I wanted to experience working. I just don't know, it's like I want to breathe a new air. I want a new atmosphere, an atmosphere that is not as stressful as law school. An easy atmoshphere where I could just have coffee and converse just about anything with people in it.

NAKAKASAWA! that could be the right term to describe what I am feeling about Law School right now. I am still a regular student, with no failing grades, and with that one could say that, "Oh sayang naman! if you're going to take a leave of absence!", and other things for that matter, but I want to give myself a chance to grow, to really stand on my own (somehow!), and I think by working I could have that!

It has been quite a number of times that I have turned back on a job offer, I always back-off when I am almost there! I guess it's time to get away with my justifications of not taking the opportunity! Baka in the end wala na!..

I guess this really is the right time to take the big leap!.. I guess it's time to leave behind as of the moment those things that I have been used to, the unrelenting support my Mom is giving me, financially and emotionally, my law school buddies who in one way or another I have shared my life with, which just happened. Those people who I have cared for yet at the middle of being together I have been untrusting and questioning their loyalty. I guess its time to prove that I am wrong.. I guess its time to really stand on my own, renew myself so that when I go back next year, I am surely ready to continue another two years of my dream!

ONE LAST DAY OUT

As I've said from my previous post I've decided not to go to class today, so when I woke up at 12pm and had my lunch, went to Festival Mall and had my day out. After doing a favor to a friend through canvassing a scrapbook I decided to sit in one of the benches at the ground floor. There I decided to observe the people passing by, and scribbled notes on my fone. After my observation, I decided to watch a very controversial movie, as for me, "Banal", alone! Controversial, because it was Cesar Apolinario's directorial debut, and he won the award for the Best Director and Best Story in the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Fest Awards. Well actually, the cast was great, with Christopher de Leon and Pen Medina, but I find it not that spectacular, well maybe for budget considerations that is. But it's good for a beginner director. After watching, went to see Madj at SM Tunasan and to our surprise Olga and her son and mom was also there! I even became a babysitter to Xander, Olga's son, for a few minutes and it was fun! When Olga went home, Madj and I had coffee and talked on some cool things she had experienced the past weekend which made me want to experience the same things.

Anyway, here's my essay based on the observation I had at the mall:

Ang daming makikita sa mall, ang daming pwedeng puntahan. Madalas akong pumunta sa mall, minsan titingin lang ng mga damit, mga dvd, cds, magazines, libro at iba pa, kakain sa mga paborito kong restaurant, pagkatapos, lalakad-lakad lang, nagbabakasakaling may makasalubong na kakilala at mayayang mag-kape man lang at makipagkamustahan. Dahil sa madalas kong ginagawa itong mga bagay na to, nakakasawa din pala, tulad na lang ng isang pagkakataong hindi ako pumasok sa eskwela dahil sa hindi pa ko handa na humarap sa mga kaklase ko at sa aking mga propesor, naisipan kong tumambay sa mall. Hindi nako nang-abala pa ng ilang kaibigan dahil alam ko may mga trabaho sila sa kani-kanilang mga opisina, kaya mag-isa lang talaga ako na tumambay sa mall. Sabi ko nga, nakakasawa din pala yung magpalakad-lakad at nakakapagod din pala, minsan nakakahilo din, naisipan ko nalang, umupo na lang sa mga "benches" na nakapaligid sa may lowerground floor. Sa isang sulok ako pumuwesto. Naabutan ko ang dalawang mama na mukhang wiling-wili sa pag-uusap. May isa ding babae na nakaupo doon na napansin ko na lang ay nakatungo na at mukhang natutulog.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas, napakadami ko ng naobserbahan na mga taong dumadaan sa aking harapan. Nakaka-wili din palang gawain to. Halata mong iba-iba talaga ng estado sa buhay yung mga taong dumadaan sa harapan ko. May mga estudyante, may magsyota, mag-asawa, magkaibigan. May mukhang tanga na hindi alam kung san sya pupunta. May mukhang nahihiyang magtanong kung san ba makikita yung pupuntahan nya. May mga maaliwalas ang mukha, may mga nakasimangot at di maipinta ang mukha.

May mga nakapormal, may mga naka-rugged. May sexy ang suot. May mukhang hahabulin ng plantsa ang suot, may parang mantel ng dining table nila ang suot, may nakapambahay. May naglalakad habang kumakain, may naka-tsinelas, may naka-havainas, may naka-chuck taylor, may naka-heels. May makapal ang make-up. May mukhang hindi naligo. May mukhang bagong paligo.

May baduy, may japorms. May spike ang buhok, may kalbo, may long hair, may afro, may emo, may hip-hop.

May mga pamilya kasama ang mga anak. May mag-lolo, may mag-lola. May mukhang balik-bayan. May pinay na may kasamang kanong matangkad, unang pumasok sa isip ko eh naka-jackpot si pinay dahil ang pangarap na US citizenship nakamit na nya.


May babading-bading. May boyish. May macho. May maton. May sexy.
May mukhang nanliligaw sa pakipot na babae.
May mukhang tourguide. May mukhang mode.
May mukhang katulong at may totoong katulong na naka-maid's uniform.
May yayang hinahabol ang inaalagaang bata.
May nanay na akay-akay ang anak. Mayroon ding nagpapa-dede ng anak. Mayroon namang hila-hila sa stroller si baby.
May nanay na pinapagalitan ang anak, na iyak ng iyak. Mayroon namang pinapagalitan dahil nagtutu-turo ng kung ano-ano.

May mataba, may payat. May sobrang taba at sobrang payat. May matangkad. May bansot. May matangos ang ilong. May pango. May malaki ang eyebag. May mukhang puyat na nagtatrabaho sa call center
May nerd. May elitista. May mukhang shopaholic. May mukhang walang pambili at window shopping lang.

May Amerikano, May Chinese, May Japanese, May Koreano, May Negro, May Bumbay, May Muslim.

May mabango. May mabaho. May masang-sang ang amoy ng pabango.

May text addict. Mga taong eskandaloso ang cellfone at mga eskandaloso talagang tao dahil habang naglalakad ay nagtetelebabad.

May nakatingin sa malayo. May tulala. May tumatawang mag-isa. May malungkot.

May nag-iisa na tulad kong parang may hinahanap pero di makita. May naglalakad nang mabilis pero parang walang patutunguhan.

Nakakatuwang isipin na sa mall natin makikita ang iba't-ibang uri ng tao. Dito natin makikita ang uri ng pamumuhay meron ang isang tao. Kahit sa pisikal na anyo lamang nila, makikita at mararamdaman mo kung paano nila hinaharap ang buhay nila.

Nakakatuwang isipin na sa karanasan kong ito, nakaramdam ako ng gaan ng loob. Gustong ihalintulad ang buhay ko sa isang mall. Sa isang mall na sari-saring tao ang pumapasok. Iba't-ibang tao na may iba't-ibang pananaw sa buhay. Iba't-ibang tao na may kanya-kanyang pagkatao na dapat kong tanggapin ng walang pag-aalinlangan tulad na lamang ng isang mall na walang diskriminasyon kung sino ang papasukin nila.

Sa karanasan kong ito, natutunan kong dapat kong tanggapin kung sino man ang mga taong nagiging parte ng buhay ko. Maging panandalian man o pangmatagalan ang hinahain nilang pakikisama sa akin. Maging ano man ang intensyon nila, makakasama man o makakabuti ito sa akin. Hindi ko malalaman ang halaga ng isang tao kung hindi ko bubuksan ang pinto ko sa kanila. Kung hindi ko hahayaang patunayan nila ang maidudulot nilang maganda o masama sa akin, na sa bandang huli ay masasabi kong makapagbibigay sakin ng lakas para ipagpatuloy ko ang pagharap sa buhay.

Well that's about it! If you have any suggestions for a title that would be highly appreciated! :)

This day was superb! I really had a great time, well by myself actually, (though I met up with Madj and Olga).. I had the time to reflect on a lot of things and somehow I have released the tension inside me. So I'm ready to go to school tomorrow! Good luck to me!

GIMIK UPDATE

THURSDAY 12.13.07- After our Admin Law Forced Xmas Party and a not-so-successful-forced xmas party-yet-unexpected one person recit in Transpo Class, Teta, Nil, Mike Mari and I went to Tagaytay. It was funny when, the three of us Nil, Mike and I, decided to think of our female names, and our names were: Nadia Bongga for me; Pining Gercia for Mike and Tina Moran for Nil! Haha!

Our first stop was in Mushroom Burger, since it is about to close in minutes we went to Starbucks but we were kicked out because we weren’t allowed to eat our foods there. Good thing there’s a grassy area near our parking slot so we just settled for it. Another good thing is that, the grassy area proved to be one cool spot for our photo-ops! Haha!

After our photo-ops, we side-tripped at Paseo, then went to Mari’s crib and had our “Girly Talk” haha! Well the talk revolved with one question in which we were allowed to ask follow-up questions. The question was: “Kamusta na Ang Puso Mo?” haha!

It was really a good feeling when you get to share what you feel and advise some things to my friends, which I think I did based on my experience and, oh yeah age, since I am a little older than them. A lot of revelations, a lot of emotions, that’s to sum up the talk we had.

FRIDAY- 12.14.07. The next morning, I woke up last and after breakfast, I slept again while they dance their way to dance revo. There wasn’t an announcement that we don’t have a class in Business Organization but still we were so lazy enough not to go to school. Mike and I went home a little early in the afternoon, we had our late lunch at shakey’s with my brothers, drove Mike to his apartment and then I went home to prepare for our pool party at my house.
It was a one cool pool party we had. I even smoke cigar again, and Nil haha! Anyway it was one fun night!

MONDAY- 12.17.07. Since we heard the news that there will be no class in our Insurance Law, I decided to stay home, but Nil and Mari went to Mike’s apartment and invited me to come over, but since I need to shop for groceries, they just followed me at Festival Mall. The funny thing was I was not prepared when they invited me to come over at Mari’s crib, because Mike’s going to fix Mari and Nil’s computers. After dinner, a long casual talk which ended up in Mari gushing into tears happened. I was really surprised about Mari’s emotional status right now, I hope she could get over Nil and move on without having to put everything she has gained into trash.

TUESDAY 12.18.07- As planned, Mike and I did not attend the San Beda Law Party. We however pushed through with our plan of having a last gimik with Cas before Mike leaves for Palawan. We decided to go to Sitcom Comedy Bar, we were lucky enough that there was an event, wherein Jose and Wally and Sugar and Ate Gay will be performing. It was really a fun night for the three of us. It was one hell of a stress reliever! And what I am glad about is that the three of us, who happens to share everything we feel from our deepest sorrows and joys, got the chance to be together! :)

WEDNESDAY 12.19.07- After our gimik the other night, and after sleeping for quite long at Mike’s apartment, we went to ATC to have a late lunch, then to Metropolis to find some computer parts. We went back to Alabang Town Center and then waited for Yves at Mcdo, then went back to Mike’s apartment without knowing that we will be caught by the MMDA traffic enforcers after counter-flowing. Hehe! Anyway, we went back to Festival Mall to buy some gifts, and then headed home. It was so tiring, not only because of countless walking we did, but the traffic was so heavy that night, just hope Mike was able to pack his clothes well. haha!