Dalawang Araw na Kasama Siya

Huling araw na ng aking unang taon sa kolehiyo. At ngayon, tinatahak ko ang daan pauwi galing sa kanilang munting tahanan. Ang lugar kung saan iginasta ko ang huling dalawang araw kasama siya. Dalawang araw na pinuno namin ng mga magagandang karanasan.

Huling ika-unang araw. Nakaupo ako sa harap ng tindahan ni Ate Ana. 6:16 pa lang ng umaga pero andito na ako. Pinatong ko muna ang bag ko sa aking tabi at sumandal sa upuan. Tatlong oras akong maaga para sa pagkikita ng aming pangkat. Mag-oovernight kasi kami sa kanila para sa research paper namin sa Filipino. Matapos kaya namin?

6:30 n.u. Ayoko munang pumasok sa loob ng college building namin. Masyado pang umaga. Ayokong tumambay mag-isa sa loob. Aantayin ko na lang muna na may pumasok kahit isa. Inaantay ko rin kasi siya, susunduin niya kasi kami para ‘di kami maligaw papunta sa kanila.

6:35 n.u. Wala pa ring dumadating kahit isa. Biglang lumabas si Ate Ana. Tinanong niya ko kung bakit maaga ako. Sinagot ko na lang siya na may overnight kami. Akala ko tatagal ang pag-uusap naming pero ‘di kalaunan ay umalis din siya. Mag-isa na naman ako.

6:45 n.u. Sampung minuto pa lang ang nakakalipas pero pakiramdam ko ay isang oras na ang lumipas pagkatapos kong silipin ang oras kanina. Bakit ba ang tagal dumating ng mga estudyante dito sa COC? Samantalang nitong nakaraang linggo, maaaga naman sila kung dumating.

7:00 n.u. Ilang mga mukha na ang dumaan sa harap ko. May mag-isa, may dalawahan. Pero lahat sila ay dinadaan-daanan lang ang COC, wala pa ring pumapasok sa loob nito. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas at dalawang naka-pula ang sinundan ko nang tingin. Alam kong sila na ang inaantay kong makakasabay ko pagpasok. Tumayo na ako sa aking kinauupuan. Kinuha ko ang aking bag at muli iyong isinuot. Naglalakad na ako papunta sa loob ng gusali nang tumunog ang aking cellphone.

‘Aaaaaaaaaaa.Choc is calling...’

Sinagot ko ito at ang inip ko ay napawi nang tanungin niya ako kung nasaan ba ako. Sinabi kong papasok na ako nang COC at sinabi niyang malapit na siya. Sa wakas may kasama na ako. ‘Di na ako mag-isa.

7:05 n.u. Tinahak ko ang pasilyo papunta sa lugar kung saan ako madalas tumambay. Umupo ako sa sahig na katapat ng ‘Room 202’ at isinandal ko ang aking likod sa pader pagkatapos kong ilapag ang aking bag sa aking tabi. Huminga ako nang malalim at saka ko inilapat ang aking ulo sa pader. Kakapikit ko pa lamang ng aking mga mata nang marinig ko ang pag-ngiyaw ng pusa. Dinilat ko ang aking mga mata at tinawag ko ang pusa sa pamamagitan ng pagsambit ng pantawag sa mga pusa. Lumapit naman ito kaagad at nilaro ko ang pusang saksi sa aking buhay sa COC tuwing umaga.

7:10 n.u. Habang naglalaro at nagkukulitan kami ng pusang itim ay nakarinig ako ng yabag ng tao. Itiningala ko ang aking ulo at nakita ko ang makakasama ko sa pag-aantay sa loob ng dalawa pang natitirang oras. Umupo siya sa aking tabi at hinalikan ang aking labi pagkatapos ay sa noo. Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay nang sobrang higpit. ‘Di ko alam pero nakaramdam ako ng kilig. Sinulit na namin ang mga oras na magkasama kami. Dalawang buwan ang lilipas bago kami muling magkasama.

8:00 n.u. Napagdesisyunan naming kumain muna kila Ate Ana ng unli lugaw. Kinuha niya ang bag kong punong-puno ng aking mga gagamitin sa overnight namin. Nagpalit kami ng bag at dala ko ang bag niyang Bench na naglalaro lang sa aking katawan dahil sa wala itong laman kundi ang wallet niya lang. Tinahak namin ang daan papunta kila Ate Ana ngunit hindi rin natuloy ang aming pagkain dahil walang lugaw, napagdesisyunan namin na kumain na lang ng hamburger.

8:30 n.u. Tatlumpung minuto na lang ag natitira at napagdesisyunan naming pumunta na sa Recto station. Doon kasi ang napagdesisyunang magiging tagpuan ng aming pangkat. Nilakad namin ang kahabaan ng Pureza, walang umiimik sa aming dalawa pero patuloy lang kami sa paglalakad.

8:40 n.u. Nakasakay kami ng jeep pero tahimik pa rin kami. Pero ilang segundo lang ang nakalipas at nag-usap na rin kami. Inabot kami ng dalawampung minute sa byahe bago makarating sa aming destinasyon. Tila napakatagal na rin nung huli ko siyang makasabay papuntang Recto.

9:00 n.u. Narating namin ang Recto Station at nakita namin ang naghihintay na si Gelai. Buhat-buhat pa rin niya ang bag ko at kahit sa simpleng bagay lang na ganito kinikilig pa rin ako. Naghintay pa kami ng isang oras para hintayin ang iba pa naming mga kagrupo.

10:00 n.u. Kumpleto na kami at nagsimula na kaming maglakbay papunta sa kanila. Ewan ko pero ang saya ko dahil kahit sa huling dalawang araw ng aking unang taon sa kolehiyo makakasama ko ang taong ito.

11:00 n.u. Isa-isa ko nang nakita ang mga puno, palayan at mga hayop sa paligid. Nararamdaman ko na ang atmosphere ng isang probinsya. Nararamdaman ko nang malapit na kami sa kanila. Nararamdaman ko na magiging maganda ang dalawang araw naming pananatili sa kanila.

12:00 n.t. Inabot kami ng dalawang oras bago makarating sa kanila. Pagbaba naming ng tricycle ay naisip ko ang mga dinaanan namin. Dalawang beses sa isang araw at walong beses sa isang linggo. Mahirap pala ang pagbyahe niya, nakakapagod.

Nasa tapat na kamin ng pintuan nila, nagsipasukan na ang tatlo kong mga kagrupo at naiwan na lang ako. Tinatanggal ko ang aking sapatos nang puntahan ako ng kanyang butihing ina, nagbeso ako bilang paggalang sa kanya. Nagkamustahan at pinapasok na niya ako.

(Itutuloy...)

Supermom

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take."

A teacher, a best friend, a daughter, a sister and a mother, she is Ma. Joylyn L. Villanueva. A mother for all seasons and a mega mom. She is my mom, a woman with a humble heart and superior hands: a person who can multi-task her works. In other words, she is a superhero.

A superhero with no superhuman powers but with the power of comfort, love, affection and care. She has these powers that no one can give and offer to us. She's the only one.

Being a single mother of four children is not an easy role. It's not that very easy for her to take care of us on her own, but she does it all by herself.

God has given me many blessings everyday but everyday being with my mom is the greatest blessing I have. I am very lucky to have this kind of mother who is cooler than me, who always tells me that I am beautiful and who's always there for me no matter what.

She tells me once that she never regret to make that decision to fight for us on her own. She always tells me that she is very proud to us that we are we are her children and her treasure. She also promises that she will always love us and we also promise that we will always love her.

"I Was Born to Write"

“Pen is the tongue of the mind.”

In my cabinet, I have this paper containing this quote which always reminds me that I am a writer. This serves as my token which is telling me every morning that I must not regret that I choose Journalism.

Since elementary, I already have this belief that what I can’t say through speaking, I can say it through writing. All the things that I can’t utter through my mouth, I express it with my pen. I feel comfy every time that I express my feelings, opinions and emotions. It’s just; I feel that I am heard.  I feel free every time I express myself – for what I am, what I think and what I feel. When I’m sad or mad, I write. When I’m happy or glad, I write. I know that my other half is in Journalism.

Way back then when I was in my elementary days, I tried to join our Journalism Club. I really tried my best to pass the qualifying exam. I wrote from my heart and might, unfortunately, I failed and didn’t qualify. Then in my high school years, I tried to be one of the Campus Journalists. I competed with every talented student during the audition for three consecutive years but I failed to beat them. In short, I was a frustrated writer way back then. In my Senior Year, I almost gave up my dream to be one of those writers, but for one last time I tried (for it really was my dream), fortunately, I passed. Then my journey started, I attended seminars and joined the different contests. So, the biggest reason why I take Journalism was my desire to be a writer. In short, writing would always be my passion. And someday, this passion would lead me to be a successful person.

Five years from now, I will be a proud journalist graduate of Polytechnic University of the Philippines and I see myself as a successful screenwriter in a TV network or a respected author of a famous book. I will inspire the readers to follow their hearts and dreams. I am not really sure what will be my job in future but I am sure that I will be a professional writer. I know and have this vision that I am a writer, born in this earth to be a writer. But this vision will not come true if I do not take this course.

Maybe if I did not take Journalism, my life would be miserable. Solving Math problems here, studying and analyzing Accounting Techniques there. My mom encouraged me to take Accountancy but I told her that I was born to write not to solve any Accounting problems. Blessedly, she let me to take the course I want. And I was very happy to be in Journalism class and meet those persons with the same passion that I had. We should take the path where our feet want us to go to but we must make it sure that it is good and will lead us to our dreams.

Blessed for Being a Filipino

It was still fresh in my mind, the day when i realized to make a change and opened my eyes.

It was Saturday afternoon, dated August 24 on the present year after we ate our lunch in Robinson's Galleria: we went to the Meralco Theatre and Ortigas Avenue to watch a musical play. Actually, I really did not know what the topic of the play was.

As I was walking to the aisle of the entrance of the theater, I saw this familiar face inside a car that I usually saw in a TV Ad. She looked like Kris but I just did not take time to see who it was. Suddenly, as I was going to enter and let the security checked my bag, I bumped into someone. I lifted up my head to see the person and said sorry. Then, I noticed that it was Viel Aquino who I bumped with, the sister of President Noynoy Aquino. I greeted her and she greeted me back. I let her to go first but she insisted to let me go first. I wondered why she was there then as I got my ticket, it answered my question. We were going to watch a musical play entitled as Heritage: A Docu-Musical Tribute to Ninoy and Cory Aquino, this play was a tribute for the late legendary personalities in the Philippine history with the celebration and commemoration of THEIR death anniversary, both on the month of August.

The play was all about the life and sacrifices of Ninoy When he was still alive just to have the freedom are priority the Filipinos had never experienced. Sadly, Ninoy was shot and killed but the fight for freedom was continued by His wife, Cory Aquino, who pursued to get back the democracy to the Philippines. It also showed the bloodless revolution During the year 1980's - the People Power Revolution in EDSA.

I was really happy to watch this kind of play for I was not able to experience this kind of peaceful revolution. This play helped me to make importance and value what we had today, the freedom and democracy that we experienced in our country where we were free to do what we want to do and When no one would control you.

Suddenly, as I watched the play, I thought about this Certain girl who was very close to the main characters of the story, THEIR daughter, Viel Aquino. Then different questions started to enter into my mind like - "Is she okay?", "What does she feel right now?" Or "Does she regret for what her father did for our country?" But, I knew the answer was she's Okay, she felt very proud for what her parents did for our country and she did not regret for what happened. She knew that these were the things what her parents wanted to happen in our country.

We were very, very lucky that we had many heroes who fought and sacrificed THEIR lives just to let us Filipinos and next generations They feel the freedom that did not experienced. We must be thankful for what They did so for us as a credit to THEIR deeds, we must love our country and our values. Serve our country and fellowmen first before others. We must not waste THEIR sacrifices for us.

I left the theater with a smile on my face and felt very blessed for being a Filipino. I made a promise that I would serve my country.

The One

You make me smile when I'm sad

You make me fine when I'm mad

You're the one who really cares

Beside me who cast my fears

I hate this stupid feeling

But it's a wonderful thing

And I feel that I fall for you

I hope you feel the same way too

I love you my angel

And it's hard for me to tell

Just tell me you love me too

I will stay right beside you

I can not believe that it's you

I remember you everything I do

Why do I feel this way

So please do not go away

I never expect that I will feel

This feeling that is real

Every night I'm thinkin 'of you

I hope you're thinking me too...

I think I already found the one. (C) Pauline Gutierrez

PUP Mabini Media Awards: Star-studded Awarding Ceremony

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ College of Communication students commemorate Gat Apolinario Mabini’s 150^th birth year by giving the first ever PUP Mabini Media Awards during the Young Communicators’ Congress which was held last Thursday, February 13, 2014 at PUP Bulwagang Balagtas.

YCC was said to be the most awaited event of the year of the polytechnic university especially to the communication students who wore their best dresses and suits for the event. According to Dr. Edna T. Bernabe, the college dean, the prominent event gave and attributed the best network, best media practitioners, best programs in media world – television, radio, print, online and in advertising.  Rite

The 42 spectacular awards in five different media winners were the following:

PUP Mabini Awards for Radio:

Best Radio News Program: Gising Pilipinas! – DZMM

Best Radio Public Service Program: Aksyon Ngayon – DZMM

Best Radio News Commentary Program: Dos Por Dos – DZMM

Best News Program Host: Ricky Rosales – DZMM

Best Public Service Program Host: Julius Babao

Best Radio News Commentary Program Host: Anthony Taberna – DZMM

Best FM Radio Program: True Love Conversation (TLC) – 90.7 Love Radio

Best Male Radio Jock: Papa Jack – 90.7 Love Radio

Best Female Radio Jock: Nicole Hyala- 90.7 Love Radio

AM Radio Station of the Year: DZMM – ABS-CBN

FM Radio Station of the Year: 90.7 Love Radio –Manila Broadcasting Company

PUP Mabini Awards for Print:

Best Broadsheet Newspaper: Manila Bulletin

Best Tabloid Newspaper: Pilipino Star Ngayon

Best Entertainment Magazine: Yes! Magazine – Summit Media

Best Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine: Candy Magazine – Summit Media

PUP Mabini Awards for Print:

Best Blog: Pinoy Mom Blogger

Best Online News Portal: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Best Social Network: Facebook

Best Search Engine: Google.com

PUP Mabini Awards for Advertising:

Best Inspirational Advertisement: Hurray for Today – McDonald's

Best Family – Oriented Advertisement: “Kuya” – McDonald's

Best Advocacy Campaign: Choose Philippines – ABS-CBN

PUP Mabini Awards for Television (News and Public Affairs):

Best Television News Program: TV Patrol – ABS-CBN

Best Television Magazine Program: Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho – GMA

Best Television Public Service Program: Wish Ko Lang! – GMA

Best Television Public Affairs Program: Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) – ABS-CBN

Best Television Documentary Program: I Witness –GMA

Best Television Morning Program: Umagang Kay Ganda –ABS-CBN

Best Television Male News Anchor: Ted Failon of TV Patrol – ABS-CBN

Best Television Female News Anchor: Jessica Soho of State of the Nation- GMA News TV

Best Television Male News Reporter: Jay Taruc – GMA News TV

Best Television Female News Reporter: Gretchen Malalad – ABS-CBN

Best Television Magazine Program Host: Jessica Soho of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho – GMA

Best Television Public Affairs Program Host: Mel Tiangco of Power House- GMA News TV

PUP Mabini Awards for Television (Entertainment):

Best Television Drama Program: Be Careful with My Heart – ABS-CBN

Best Television Comedy Program: Bubble Gang – GMA

Best Television Variety Program: Eat Bulaga – GMA and Tape Inc.

Best Television Educational Program: Matanglawin – ABS-CBN

Best Television Entertainment Talk Program: Gandang Gabi, Vice – ABS-CBN

Best Television Reality Program: Pilipinas Got Talent – ABS-CBN

PUP Mabini Awards Station of the Year: ABS-CBN

As the awards and trophies of recognition were given, stars who won the category received it wholeheartedly with appreciation and stood on the stage as inspirations to the future communication experts and gave their acceptance speech.

Together with Dr. Bernabe, Dr. Emmanuel De Guzman joined the award-giving body as he gave the trophies to the winners.

PUP Mabini Media Awards were attended by famous personalities that made the event more exciting. The placed transformed into a big dome as every star appeared on the stage to get their award and made the crowd livelier as (according to the appearance on stage) Atty. Regie Tongol (who gave the keynote address in proxy of Dr. Daniel Razon) of UNTV, Anthony Taberna (who served as a speaker on Radio as Legacy Media vs. New Media), 90.7 Love Radio Jocks Papa Jack, Nicole Hyala, Chris Tsuper, Kristine Dera, Diego Bandido, Shai Tisai and Raqi Terra, Ricky Rosales of DZMM, Betong Sumaya and Diego Llorico of Bubble Gang, Bernadette Sembrano and Winnie Cordero of Umagang Kay Ganda, Jay Taruc and Mel Tiangco of GMA News, Janella Salvador, Jerome Ponce, Marlo Mortel from Be Careful with my Heart, Kuya Kim of Matanglawin, Anjo Yllana and Ryzza Mae Dizon of Eat Bulaga and Ted Failon of TV Patrol appeared.

Winners who claimed their awards were voted by among 2,436 students of PUP in a survey using their Student Information System (SIS) account in the university’s website. In line of the survey, the dean assured that the online voting system was accurate in partnership of the University’s Information and Communication Office.

            The 3^rd Young Communicators’ Congress was attended by 850 communication students of four courses namely Broadcast Communication, Research, Journalism and Advertising and Public Relations.

See, Each... Oh, See!

I slowly opened my eyes, tightly squeezing my pillow against my chest. I turned my head to the side where our window is placed. I see a dark figure of a man sitting on a chair with his head facing towards me. Although I can’t make out his face because of the bright summer sun, I know who this guy is. It’s the figure of the man I want, the one I’m looking for. A man with dark complexion. A man with a height of 5’10”. A pair of black-framed eyeglasses gently rests on his mature looking face. And the eyes, deep and black, try to tell me something. As I look deeper and deeper into this figure’s eyes, I can see that he loves me. I stare at him. Our eyes talk, as if it were us talking, then my eye asks “How much do I know you?”

The day he came into my life. My love, Choc, is the most wonderful person that I know. I couldn’t ask for more since I have met him. We almost know each other for nine months already. And for seven months, he is always making me feel special each day I am with him. In simple but special ways that he’s doing, I always feel ‘kilig.’

We first met in a social networking application called ‘WeChat’ and knowing that we’re going to be classmates in college makes our conversation starts. In fact, we treat each other as siblings since we learned that our birth dates are consecutive.

The first day of college entered and since I already knew him, I saved a chair beside me at the back part of the classroom. Since then, we became seatmates and best friends. As the days progressed on, we became friends with our other seatmates at the back of the room and built friendship with them. We call our group Tropang Likod.

Unlike other guys in my class, Choc is simple. He has hair that looks greyish due to his black and white hair strands. He combs it using only his right hand. And when he laughs, his eyes sparkle and his smile reaches his ears. He attends classes with simple t-shirts and maong pants. His Bench body bag hangs through his upper half body. One of hands holds his handkerchief, which is usually blue-striped. His white “Fall Out Boy” wristband is playing on his left wrist. But when he wears his blue t-shirt with his surname on it, I think it’s the coolest thing in the world. He stands with a height of a basketball player, making me look so small and short. His prank jokes and punch lines make me laugh. He always has something to say.

He loves to play basketball, both in computer and in real life. He plays DoTA too with his circle of friends. Though there are times that I get jealous, thinking that he spends more time with his friends playing than with me. Okay. What I love when we’re together is that we talk, like friends together, with no one interfering. We get the chance to know each other more. We laugh together. We giggle together. One more thing that I love about him is that when he is saying something to me, he says it with a sincere heart. I can see it in his eyes…

He stands up from sitting on his chair and walks toward. Behind him, the window lets the warm summer sunlight comes in. He snatches the pillow I was holding. He starts talking,

“Come on Mrs. Dantes, stand up. I’ve already prepared breakfast for you.” I obey him and stand up, slowly wearing my slippers. As I look up this towering man, I could see his arms about to wrap themselves around me and his lips moving towards my forehead. I could hear the words “I love you Baby” coming from his mouth as they left a warm kiss on my forehead.

Now, if you are wondering what is the connection of the title with this article, read the title again. Slowly. Now, what do you get?