Women of Character

Hello again :) It's been over a month since I've blogged with all the work I've been doing for school. But I'm not gonna let 12.12.12 pass without an entry! (haha parang high school journal entry lang eh)

Anywaaays, I spent this day back at my high school alma matter. Today was the beginning of a series of talks on college and career for the juniors and seniors. Together with Inha Arceo, we talked about our current colleges now - admissions, academics, university culture, college adjustment, and the like. I go to the green school and she goes to the blue school. Oooh! Imagine how fun that was (in a good way of course). It was also great to see Inha again and to see that our dynamic duo was back in action after two years! (She was the President while I was the Vice-President of our student council back in our senior year).

Click "read more" below to see more photos and read more about today's experience!

Cheerdancing

One thing that makes me really happy is dancing.

It's when I let the music take me away and just let every fiber in my body move along to its beat and rhythm. It's about the moves I can make; the different ways I can contort my body. It's a way for me to relax whether it be through dancing to the bass blasting through the speakers or through pretending to be a ballerina with slower tunes.

Photo by Mari Olan

Dance gives me a certain euphoria. When I dance, I feel like I'm in a whole new zone; it's my little world where I know I best express myself. Let's face it.. I'm not exactly a singer like my sibling who can carry many different tunes, I'm working on my writing, and I definitely know I talk a lot too. But when I dance, it's inexplainable. I know there's a term to describe it, but I just can't catch it right now.

Ever since I entered college, dance went from my top priorities to one of my least priorities as compared to high school. I became more focused on my academics. I became very active in a political organization. I still hung-out with friends. I made time for my family and time to pray. I have no complaints. I'm very happy where I am in my life right now. But a certain realization just entered my head - I practically shunned dance off. There were a few moments I got to relive it. My friend Alex got me to go dance with a dance crew in school called Skittlez. But I only got myself to go twice. Again, I didn't prioritize it.

Ate Conching

Thoughtful, sweet, hardworking, lively - these were the first four words that entered into my mind when I think about Ate Conching. She was a humble member of the auxiliary back in my alma matter, PAREF Woodrose.

Ate Conching with my batchmate, Anna

When my batch and I entered Woodrose in 2000, she was already working as the person in charge of the Physical Education facilities. Normally every PE class when we have sports, she was the person from whom we got the volleyballs, badminton rackets, and what not from. We were always greeted with her warm smile and lively personality.

We grew up with her in our lives. She was assigned to different tasks which she did with love throughout the years. Moreover, when we reached high school, she was assigned to our building.

In the high school building, the auxiliary had their nook near the girls washroom. And being normal Woodrose girls, we took our time in the bathroom chit-chatting and just chilling there. But the point is that, a lot of the times I'd enter the washroom, she'd be like "Hi Queen!" which she pronounced as "Kwen". One of us would start making conversation and a lot of the times we'd talk about our families and our lives. Those were good moments.

#RescuePH

Rains have poured continuously in many areas in the Philippines leaving many places flooded and leaving many people away from the comforts of their own home.

Credits to REUTERS/ Stringer

Many waited to be saved on the roofs of their houses. Many were separated from their loved ones. Many lost the items they sell for a living or even the clothing they wear. Many had to cramp in evacuation centers. Many are hungry. Many are cold.

Some hospitals got flooded and lost power giving their patients an even more difficult time. Some lost their loved ones.

Credits to REUTERS/ Erik De Castro

But on the bright side, many were heroes - braving the heavy rains and the current of the flood just to save their kababayans (countrymen); creating awareness and informing the public of people who need help (making #RescuePH part of the top trending on Twitter in the Philippines); and helping out in relief operations with their time, effort, and donations in their schools or in evacuation centers. 

It sums up to many of our country men are facing hard times right now. Many of us were and are blessed to be safe in the comforts of our homes. Let us do what we can to help.

Credits to REUTERS/ Romeo Ranoco

Released on Facebook and Google+ by the Filipino Google Student Ambassadors on 08/07/12
Link to the Rappler article mentioned above.
Link to the Google Doc mentioned above.

Released by the Filipino Google Student Ambassadors's on 08/08/12

For the La Sallians, you can help out through Sagip Metro 3. Classes and office work resume on Monday, August 13, 2012.

Credits to the DLSU University Student Government

Credits to ALYANSANG TAPAT SA LASALLISTA

Credits to Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon

If you're in the South/ Alabang area, you can help out in La Salle Zobel, Woodrose, Southridge, and St. James.

Credits to the Woodrose Student Council 2012-2013.

Here are some of the evacuees in Alabang, Muntinlupa lining up for food earlier today. Some of my friends helped out in relief operations there.

At the Paaralang Elementarya ng Alabang (Elementary School of Alabang)
Credits to Aldo Manzano

 If you're from the University of Asia and the Pacific or any area near there, you can help out in UA&P.

Credits to the person who made this. I got this from Ina Villegas' Facebook.

If it's one thing that's sure throughout this whole event is that no matter how strong and tumultuous Typhoon Gener was..

I got this on Facebook. Credits to http://katria.tumblr.com