UP Fair: FAIRst Night High

by John Carl on 14. Feb, 2007 in Experience

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.

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17th New Year

by John Carl on 01. Jan, 2007 in Experience, Personal

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!

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Blissful New Year Gathering

by John Carl on 31. Dec, 2006 in Experience, Personal

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.

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Fairy Tale

by John Carl on 08. Dec, 2006 in Experience, Work

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.”

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Student Catholic Action

by John Carl on 22. Oct, 2005 in Brainbuster, Experience

For over three years, I’ve been looking for another family that would serve as my laughing side. At last I’ve finally found it – the Student Catholic Action.

When I was still the vice-president of the club in my third year in HS, I haven’t yet felt the missing thing. I thought at first, when my president chose me as his VP, I would have yet another circle of friends. But I was wrong. For the friendship to each and every co-officer was lacking.

When VP term came to an end, I already thought who my officers would be. I thought of the people I admire for their clean hearts shown not only inside their classrooms but also outside. (more…)

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