Apathy (UP Tug-Ani Editorial for January-February 2009 issue)

The other day, while waiting for class, I overheard someone talk about her priorities. She was basically talking about how we've supposedly come to UP first and foremost to study, which was why nobody can blame her if she paid more attention to her academic standing than advocacy posters on the bulletin board. In my mind, I was thinking “What a waste of youth”.

I refuse to believe we Upians are all just content with being above the rest in terms of opportunities because of inherent and acquired intellect. Is it arrogance or optimism to think we are above society and her ills? We are never exempt, unfortunately. We will always be victims of ill-made decisions, whether born of stupidity or out of selfishness.

Maybe you do recognize this, and believe that you're going to be a better contributor to society by finishing your studies first and getting a good headstart at your career. But what happens to the time you spent locked up in your academic ivory tower? None of us truly knows what the future holds. Despite all efforts to stay afloat the academic tide, some of us succumb to external forces (RIP April Mae Sumaylo)

Consider that the average 2nd year UP college student is much better equipped than some of the catalysts of society (i.e. barangay officials). At 18, an individual is considered physically and mentally capable of providing for himself. Considering that the kind of education we get at UP, though not extremely amazing, is still much better than what most get. We've had two years of intellectual stimulation that most of us have never encountered (and sadly might never again encounter) in 17 years of existence. We are exposed to enough “knowledge” to correct ourselves when we're not making sense. If the exposure isn't enough, most of us have at least gone through Philo 1 to know how logic works.

Youth grants us a perspective many lose once they start seeing the world through tired, jaded eyes. Youth grants us the luxury of time. Even though studentry is a responsibility as it is, what it leads to are even bigger responsibilities. Bigger commitments. You won't be able to speak your mind when you're under a boss who thinks otherwise. Trust me, not everyone is as open minded as your UP Hum teacher. You are no longer just a slave to the uno, you become a slave to bills; to your spouse and your children; to your properties; to your bank account; etc etc.

Today is the opportune moment to do what you can for your society, or never. If radicality is too much for you, you can at least pick up the papers and start with being aware with what's going on around you. At least if you decide not to give a rat's ass about society, it is a learned decision and not an ignorant one.

UP Cebu, No ID No Entry nao?!? NUUUUUUUUUUUUU

It's not that I'm going to be having a hard time going to school. I'm one of the few people I know who actually still has her first year ID. But the idea that UP is no longer free for all who risk the intimidation of being in premier university territory (or pass the UPCAT lang) strikes me as ironic and unfair.

I will reserve my rant for the Tug Ani Editorial for the Feb issue. The January issue's coming out on Tuesday for everyone who's been asking. Don't get your panties in a knot. It's finally coming out. It will be noted though that it looks as if I only have one writer. And no photographers. And very few artists. And no other editors cept for me and the lay-out artist, and a friend who helps damage control. So before you complain about there not being an issue, ask yourself if there are people willing to work for the school paper, specially because it doesn't pay. To critics: If you can do a better job, why don't you come help? My number is literally everywhere anyway.

25 things to do before 25

1.)Learn how to drive a car
2.)Earn $1000 (Just to know how it feels like)
3.)Cook a full course meal
4.)Learn how to sew (tried and failed. My fingers refuse to weild the needle)
5.)Write a book
6.)Climb a mountain
7.)Film an indie flick
8.)Sell a print on DA (lulz)
9.)Go to Bohol
10.)Pose nude
11.)Organize a surprise party (also tried and failed. twice.)
12.)Contribute to Reader's Digest
13.)Make the Dean's list (ala lang)
14.)LARP
15.)Learn how to speak another language
16.)Visit another country
17.)See someone die
18.)Watch a birthing
19.)Perform onstage for theater
20.)Have an album launched for my band, Dama de Noche

I figured there's only about 4 months left before I turn 20, and I really want to get to do these things. The problem is that I didn't have enough time, so I'll be extending my personal deadline, and the list.

21.)Find out what happened to my dad - I just met one of the most iconic teachers in UP - Sir Espiritu, who is for once, not addicted to Japanese culture, but to Middle Eastern culture. He gave me bangles today after giving me a contribution for Tug Ani, and said he was going to Bangladesh this April. I asked him if he could find my dad for me (lol). If not, I think I'll just send a letter through him or something.

22.)Name a baby (It doesn't have to be mine) - I keep on coming up with names for babies, so I name my stuff instead.

23.)Talk to one of my favorite authors/musicians - Just to know if I prefer their personalities or their stuff.

24.)Paint a mural - It just seems like one of those things that can be easily done, but I never get around to doing. Maybe I'll paint a wall in my house (once it's finished)

25.)Get a moondance - I was thinking of doing something crazy like skinnydipping, or praying to the moon naked and stuff, but that's too old school. And this is inspired by something a friend said sometime ago about moondances. I shuts up nao.

Marr(i)ed

http://jasonmagbanua.com/blog/2008/12/15/issa-litton-and-tiger-garrido-episode-vii/

In a ym convo, a friend made me realize people my age were going to get hitched in this decade.

The capitalist in me started thinking about the possibility of organizing people's weddings for them. :D Hint hint at everyone who's planning to get hitched :D

Slave Tickets

Slave Tickets make sad gifts. People who have nothing to give (or are too lazy to go christmas shopping) tend to give out stuff like these because they have too much time on their hands.

One girl decided to make a hundred slave tickets, good for an hour each, and distributed them to a hundred friends and relatives.

Most of these people decided to throw their tickets away, figuring they probably wouldn't have enough time to redeem those tickets. Some of these people figured the tickets would probably come useful one of these days, and kept the tickets.

Everyone forgot about the tickets. Even the girl.

One day, many years later, the girl, now a woman, was on her way to work when the ground below her shook. The cement tile on the walkway infront of her caved in and made way for a hole. Out of it rose a hooded creature stinking of sulfur.

The first thing she noticed was it's cloven feet. The next thing was the slip of paper it held out to her.

Stolen from Kuya Justin

I am bored

I've never taken a dump on the highway, and i wish I will never stoop so low

I will never stick to something just because of an idea

I wish I had the energy to act on my guilt

The craziest thing to think about while your life is ebbing away is what your undies look like. >.<

The silliest thing just happened yesterday. Some dude got shot on the hips. Makes me think of people breaking out in song to Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie"

Why do emo rants start with "why"? Why kuya Justin why?

I love the way things smoke swirls and swivels as if there's an invisible hand dictating it to go where it goes O__O

I hate doing something without any idea why

I cannot stand on stilts. my balance sucks. Hahaha

I will always wonder what the ghost boy tried to tell me in my dream

I have a broken cellphone

I need to go to the bathroom

I still want socks but keep losing them.

I fear that beat they've been using in almost every blonde popstar song lately. I think it has brain sapping properties.

I kissed a girl and i liked it?

I might try not to bite off more than i can chew

I used to chew crackers, spit them out, make them into tiny balls, then swallow them again

2008 Awards

I'm glad 2008 was over. Despite a few high points, it was mostly sucky for me. It was filled with missed opportunities, mediocre attempts, failures, ill-gotten victories, betrayal, etc etc. For most of the year, I felt dead, acted insensitively, failed to deliver when I was expected to, etc etc.

But this year, I met a few cool people; Established a few things that I hope will continue; and learned a couple of things.

1.) DRINKING BUDDY OF THE YEAR
- Zyra
2) LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest friend/s)?
- Wahahaha, Pangs (interesting story btw)
3) NEWCOMER AWARD - COOLEST NEWEST FRIEND?
- Anton :P He's the only guy I know who has a clit. That should count for cool.
4) HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR?
- secret :P
5) BEST HOLIDAY?
- I think Xmas was fine
6) YOUR SONG FOR 2008?
- "So What" - Pink
7) MOVIE FOR 2008?
- Dark Knight
8) WHO DID YOU SPEND VALENTINES WITH?
- my classmates, in the middle of an academic storm.
9) BEST RELATIONSHIP?
- Sam. I wuv you mantha, even tho you're catty and prickly and wont tell me why right away. :P
10) WHAT WERE YOU IN HALLOWEEN?
- a confused red ridinghood.
11) RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR?
- Vibe's :D
12) BOOK OF THE YEAR?
- Brother Todd
13) BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR?
- To Stop Minding Certain Things
14) WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?
- none that I'd like to think about too much. I might disappoint myself if they dont push through.
15) MOST STUPID IDEA WHEN DRUNK?
- Sing a Pussycat Dolls Song
16) TV SHOW OF THE YEAR?
- Dexter
17) MOST LOYAL FRIEND?
- Pangs..(are you?)
18) BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR?
- my outlook on certain things
20) BEST VACATION?
- Manila