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It takes a lot of guts to be an idol in a certain community. But how does actually one become an icon?

Somebody can say that a person is an icon if he makes a name for himself, if he makes distinction from the other comrades, if he pleases everyone. Being an icon is leaving a living legacy in a complex community of different people with different perspectives. Let me tell you the ones whom I considered icons when I was in high school. Well, until now, they are still. Also, they are much older than me.

Jason Paul Laxamana

Way back when I was in first year high school, this person inspired me to wear his shoes. Every time that I saw him entering our classroom to announce something important about a school activity, my nerves of my brain work so well, telling me to perk up and strive for the gold.

The day when my fourth year came, I remembered him — I recalled the time I saw him being a quiz master in a contest. Again, that time, I said to myself, “I will be like him.”

My mentor in English told me that he is now in a gangster-look. I was totally surprised as when I saw Jason before, he dressed appropriately. But I was in disbelief.

Before I started writing this entry, I visited our high school section’s website and clicked on a link, making Jason’s website appear on my monitor. I read clusters of his blog entries and I got myself in amusement when I read that I unknowingly did the same thing he did when his fourth year was about to end. He and his classmate wrote an article entitled “A Need for Renewal” which talked about the teachers who only taught the best only when the principal was observing, about the sipsip students who were getting high grades, and other stuff. In my time, I wrote about the “corrupt employees” of my high school, about the deprivation of the freedom of the press, about the unfair employees. Jason passed his article in his time, so did I in mine. Sadly, our articles were disapproved for publishing, and Jason and I were scolded and warned about withdrawing our diplomas and entry in UP Diliman, respectively.

Both of we thought that in UP, what we did was a two-thumbs-up. What a super coincidence, right?

Jesito Ponio

Who could forget this small-but-terrible guy. He is the former Commentators and Lectors Guild president. Idol ko yan kasi matalino. He was the one whom I’ve gotten the information about the “corrupt employees” from.

Kristine Lopez

For goodness sake, almost all the awards were gotten by her during their batch’s commencement exercises. She was awarded as the Top Outstanding Student in Angeles City. She was the valedictorian of her batch. Basta alam ko she got many awards but I can’t enumerate them all. Right now, Ate Tin, studies in Ateneo de Manila University. I always ask her at the present time whom she will vote in the coming elections. Well, that’s a form of teasing. Haha!

The first thing to consider is the innate talent/skill/knowledge/hobby/self-esteem for somebody to become an icon. If someone has a potential to go further, he will surely attain the peak-point as long as his purpose is constant.

The second is having an inspiration. Without inspiration, one cannot aim for his dreams. In my opinion, an inspiration keeps one to continue walk on the path.

Can I say that my colleagues and I are icons? Uhm, I guess so. Who cannot forget Neil Lopez for being our batch’s Valedictorian and Math Wizard, for passing the entrance tests of the BIG FOUR Universities; Keithly Otchengco for being our Salutatorian, for being the c rush the bayan, for being loving; Jay Mark Ong, for being remarkable upon finishing any task; Stalin Francisco, for being the Pautakan’s Asset; Artoni Ang for being the great thinker; Denver Sanchez for being a leader and a heartthrob; and me (Naks ang kapal! Haha! Pagpasensyahan niyo na.) for being the Speechfest champion and Religious Council leader.

Now that we are at the foot of Mount Fuji in college, we face another challenge to tread. The question now is, “Are we going be in the Hall of Fame?”

This blog entry was inspired by Jason Paul Laxamana.

February 12, 2007 was the start of the so called “UP Fair Week” administered by the University Student Council in cooperation with the different organizations here in UP Diliman. The first night, which started at 6 p.m. at the Sunken Garden, was chiefly organized by the Apha Phi Omega International Collegiate Service Fraternity and Sorority – Eta Chapter.

This year’s Fair’s theme is “UP NOT FAIR SALE” which obviously a part of the campaign against the 300% tuition increase. The week long celebration is comprised by 5 concerts. All popular OPM bands are to perform by different clusters of them per day.

I bought a ticket for the first night entitled “FAIRst NIGHT HIGH: Kami nAPO ngayon!” for only Php 75 – a reasonable price for there were more than 30 bands that played during that evening. I was with my college friends – Nicole, Earl, and Hazel – who were with me during the very long line that reached the Palma Hall. From afar, I saw the Sunken Garden so different than with the usual scene it is. The darkness filled the sky with stars and the moon. The blue-and-white-striped Smart-sponsored hot-air balloon’s bright illumination indeed gave an accent to the vicinity of the rectangular fenced area. Booths, including the wall for sport climbing, looked like “lego” toys.

Only after 30 minutes had we entered. The first booth I saw was that of Frenzy Condoms wherein if somebody buys 2 packs of condoms at Php 50, he could have pictures with the sexy lady models inside and have the photos printed free. The other booths were those of Pizza Hut, Shakey’s, Yellow Cab, McDonald’s, Tender Juicy Hotdogs, tattoo, paintball, clothes, rice in a box, and a lot more.

I really appreciated the soon-to-rising bands’ performances especially Giniling Festival’s (I really liked their song, Siling Giniling), Dicta License’s, Protein Shake’s, and Paramita’s. As usual, the much awaited band were to perform last like Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Spongecola, Imago (Aya is really talented and beautiful), Hale, Kjwan (Marc Abaya’s great), Mojofly, Moonstar88, Up Dharma Down, Hilera, Stonefree, Chicosci, and Radioactive Sago Project.

Jackie Rice didn’t entertain us so much. She just sang “For All of My Life” is a not-so-nice-tune and danced what she has been dancing from the beginning, “I Like It.” But when Katrina Halili got onstage, she totally drove the crowd with her sex appeal. She was so sexy. Every guy was stunned. I wish I could see her again. Woot!

Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikazee simultaneously performed as they made the crowd become so alive. Jay Contreras was so funny and naughty. Chito Miranda even joked us that they were a new band, Parokya ni Kazee. They rocked the night with their exchange of words in the song “The Yes Yes Show.”

The show ended at 3 in the morning and I got home at 4 a.m., not thinking 5 hours hence, there was an exam for me to take.

Another year has passed. Now, it is 2007, and I must be firm with my long-listed New Year’s Resolution!

For this 17th new year of mine, I promise myself that I’ll be more diligent, understanding, and strong. I also said to myself that I should have a good determination, a big sense of responsibility, work things out. This year of the pig should be prosperous, I should hope so…

I also hope last year, I made a productive life. Uhm, but I think I didn’t. I really should work on my ass…

An hour ago, during the new year countdown, I was with my family. We had our Media Noche with the a special coarse — Turkey — and special ones. We danced “Crazy Pipe (Pump it, Rock it),” drank wine and beer, sang, and totally enjoyed the rest of the countdown. I was with them on Christmas, likewise.

Hey Piggy Year, please give me a good year. I really hope for that!

It was such a nice experience being with my high school classmates once again. Last December 29 to 30, 2006, we had our New Year gathering at Villa Alfredos Resort. The overnight was filled with fun and sharing of stories.

Almost two semesters / 2 trimesters had passed since we saw each other’s faces in one place – Chevalier School. Now that we have our own lives to manage separately, we always consider time for each other. Different universities such as University of the Philippines Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University-Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Angeles University Foundation, and Holy Angel University are now the place where we study.

The meeting place was our high school alma mater. There we waited for each other until 1 pm arrived. At Villa Alfredos, we spent lots of fun, swam, ate barbecue. That overnight meant a lot for us. I wish there would be another one.

Who doesn’t believe that an ugly duckling would turn into a swan? I pity those who don’t because I, myself, am a witness of such fancy fiction of one man whom I know. During his first year in high school, he was one of those weird and crazy students just sitting in one corner of the classroom. He was always laughed at every action he made and teased being an “engot,” “tanga,” “baliw,” “nerd,” and the like by his classmates. He went full before his fourth year came and promised to himself that he would make his classmates’ heads turn. Then he went through an extreme makeover and improved his charm and personality. At the beginning of the final year in high school, his classmates were very stunned of the new person right before their. He felt so great and couldn’t explain the bliss. I fully know and feel it, because “he” is “me.”