It took me a very long time before I was able to visit this blog of mine again. Well I guess this will be the last time for me to post here. I wanna create a new one. Ta!

You make life harder by not accepting REALITIES.

For now, enough with the school stuffs, intriguing scoops, and environmental issues. Let this column of mine have a personal touch – straight from my heart. Since this is the last BABBLE BITES, I get the chance to write whatever I want!

My High School Life may literally be ‘OVER’, but just like what Bowling for Soup had said, I believe that ‘HIGH SCHOOL NEVER ENDS’. Why? It’s because what we learned in our four-year stay will forever affect our lives.

I have summed up in ten numbers all that I learned in high school. For the undergrads, follow these insights for you to have a snug stay. For the graduates like me, remember these ten tips since we can also use them in the future.

Here they are:

1. Keep what is REALLY important.

            I’m sure there would come a time when you will come across dilemmas. For instance, you belong to two different organizations (or even three) and both of them will be having meetings on the same day and time. Which meeting would you attend to? Or a day with your BFF’s or with your BF? Situations like these are inevitable in high school. Learn to weigh life’s circumstances.

2. Prove them you can.

            Who says it’s intricate to do multi-tasking? Or CAT is a hindrance to everything? People would try to bring you down and tell you that you are not capable of something. Think of this: how were they able to say that you cannot if in fact they aren’t YOU? Try to go out of the ordinary. Dare to be different…good different.

3. You are never a shock absorber.

            Problems are all over the place. We just need to be strong. But we all have our Achilles’ heel. We are all vulnerable to our emotions. If you can’t take it anymore, cry. In this way, all the injuries that you suffer will be dumped. You should learn to let go of the things that wounded you.

4. Quit doing less than excellent work.

            I got this from our guest speaker in our UHP Presentation. Bring out the best in everything you do. The good results would just follow without you knowing it. It would be a great disgrace to yourself if you did not hit your target just because you weren’t able to give your all. Never settle for less, okay?

5. You need not be a genius to be successful.

            All you need is to be determined and persevering. You may not have an IQ like Einstein’s, but success is within your reach if you learn to use your very own talents to the fullest.

6. Balance your heart and mind.

            I guess this is best applicable to love matters. Sabi nga nila, kaya nilagay ang ulo sa taas ng puso dahil…blahblahblah (laughs). I admit I’m a certified NBSB lass. But to those who are not, it’s just okay…as long as you do not do stupid and unwise things in love’s name. And also, destiny is just destiny. You can believe in it, but it is still up to you to make something happen and make your love life as breathtaking as you want it to be. (shadee…kung mkataram garo grb n ang experience sa love.,hahaha!)

7. Never stop, never give up.

            Always finish what you have started. Have a don’t-quit attitude. It is such a pleasing feeling that you were able to surpass and survive a great challenge.

8. It’s better to break mirrors than to break promises.

            If you broke a promise, it’s hard to look at the mirror because there’s a shattered conscience staring back at you. If you’re not sure you can make it, do not promise. It’s terrible to hurt a heart because you’ll make him expect for something you have vowed, and you weren’t able to fulfill it. It’s wise to just say, “I’ll try, but I won’t promise”.

9. Music is life.

            There are times that things are getting dead boring. Just tune up and your mind-numbing days will be over.

10. Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it all happened.

            This reminds me of the promenades I will definitely miss. You may get irritated if the night is already end, but there’s a saying that goes, and I quote, “The end does not justify all”. The course is more important than the finish line. I’m happy for having experienced what it’s like to be a high school student.

These are what I learned in high school. I’m looking forward to my college life. Bigger challenges are in store for me and my batchmates. Therefore, there would undeniably be more life’s lessons that we will surely learn.

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BOTTOMLINE: Be optimistic. Sabi nga: No one has ever damaged his eyesight from looking at the positive side of life.

From my previous BB’s, I have stressed out three keys: Cooperation, Control, and Compassion. Now, CONVIVIALITY is the key. Ensure a warm bond to others because friends are the best part of high school life!

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I would definitely miss my column…and trail…as in…supeeer! Let this last edition of my very own BABBLE BITES be a tribute to all those who made my high school life very memorable. Big thanks to:

_MAM ROSE, 4 bein mah’2^nd mom;

 MAM DINNA & SIR JAYZE, s encourgemnt & s opportunities n tinao po nndo sq;

 SIR ALEX, 4 bein our 2^nd dad nd 4 suporting us officers;

 KUYA SONNY, MAM NHELZ, & SIR ESTING, 4 training me pg’abot s journalism;

 2 OL MY MENTORS FROM 1^ST-4^TH YR, supr dupr tnx po;

 FUTURE TRAIL STAFFERS, alagaan nndo ang first love q—ang trail;

 JOSH, YAN, ARNEL, CATHY, ARA, CHRISTELLA, & SHERNA, kmu n bhala s trail…GB;

 KASILAW, im so hapi naging part nindo aq…kdakol aqng nanudan saindo…mis qna 2los mga jaming ta!;

 MY DEAREST <>’S, xnxa n s kkpayan q…haha…super lab q kmu! il trexur u guys 4ever;

 TWEENQ, nu nyan…from kinder up to now…mgkaibhan p nnggad…haha…supr tnx po 4bein der olweis…ily!;

 NAY’VAL, slmat s acksong tunay…haha;

 TITAY’JOANNE, slmat s pgppaugma nd 4bein a gud confidant;

 KIM, control is d key…ilyf!

 ARA, tnx s mga jaming…prrehas kta nina mina—loyal…haha

 SANG, jst rmmbr tip#9..haha…wont 4get c overnyt ta;

 PAO, mau mn…XD;

 BFF, sori s perwisyo nd tnx s gbos2…as in…ily;

 2 MY BESTFRIEND…hi…haha…tnx 4filling in d 1% inspiration dt I nid…u mean a lot…ily;

 MAMA ND PAPA, lab q kmu…kmu mn lng ang rison qng tnu ngtutultol aq s skul;

 LINDSAY, tnx kulit, dai boring ang lyf ta yaun k…sna maintndhan mo ni…haha;

 nd of course, to GOD, 4 makin’ ebritng possible…c:_

…and to those who in one way or another made my stay in the department worthwhile…XD. I may forget what you said, but I will never forget how you guys made me feel.

Whenever I hear “climate change”, I can’t help but cover my ears with my hands or otherwise, moan and complain, “This again?” This subject is a constant reiteration and irritation. This subject is a vexing nightmare. This subject is like noise to my senses. But, horrid as it is, we cannot do away with this because it is what is happening in our biosphere in this day and age. An ugly truth, that is. It may sound ordinary, but its consequences are indeed awful and severe.

NATURE FIGHTS BACK

The subsequent typhoons that our nation has undergone are indeed alarming. The deluge brought about by the typhoons has cost lives and properties and has sunk Metro Manila and the surrounding places. On September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ondoy brought a month’s worth of rainfall to Metro Manila and the adjacent areas in just a few hours, causing severe flooding which lead to the loss of many lives and the displacement of thousands of people. Eight days later, Typhoon Pepeng struck the northern regions causing more damage.

These chains of events shrug me off. What is happening? The question is – what have we done that have triggered all of it? But, is it really a question? We have been preoccupied with polluting our surroundings these days. No wonder we are being punished. We are all headed towards our own breakdown.

Some of us may have been luckier than others in escaping the nightmare. But let’s accept the fact that all of us were affected. Nevertheless, let’s look at the brighter side of it. The spirit of Bayanihan was revived. Lots of help from all over the country came flocking in. Different people showed different ways of helping the distressed. Journalists were there in giving all the needed info. Military men assisted. Celebrities also took part. Even we students helped out by donating relief goods. These are just proofs that behind all those negativities, here comes hope.

WE WERE WARNED

Ironic as it is, I planned to watch it on a Monday. Tuesday, my scheme was put off due to some whys and wherefores. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday passed and Saturday came. It could have been a nice day to watch a movie but I wasn’t able to see it because of time constraint and other priorities. I was ready to watch it on a Sunday, but the tickets were sold out! Monday again, yet my plans were not realized because no one wants to go with me and me. I and my fellow Trail staffers need to plan out for the “Search for the Darling of the Press ’09” in relation with the Ms. High School Pageant that will transpire the next day . Still, a girl like me wouldn’t lose heart. Tuesday is it. No one or nothing, even the ugly weather, can stop me now. At last! I was able to watch it! I’m talking about the motion picture “2012”.

After watching it, my whole body was paralyzed, more like traumatized. It’s like I wanted to say my sweetest I-love-you’s to all the people who touched my life. I was thunderstruck. I then thought - what if it would really crop up? What if the end of the world is near? What if the earth, as we all know it, will suddenly come to an end?

2012 is a science fiction disaster film based on the 2012 phenomenon. The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of beliefs and proposals, which theorize that devastating or transformative events will transpire in the year 2012 (perhaps on or around December 21) which is said to be the end-date of a 5,125-year-long Mayan Long Count calendar.

How possible would the scenes in the fictional flick would likely happen in real life?

From what I have discovered, some people believe that some sort of “doomsday scenario” could really imperil the human race. What’s worse is that this scenario is likely to be human made. It could be caused by depletion of oil or other vital natural resources (assuming that alternatives are not found), a nuclear, chemical, or biological war, the creation of a black hole on or close to Earth, and the infamous global warming.

Wait, it seems that people are so obsessed with ‘the end’ that they make movies, books, documentaries, television series, and even children’s films that have apocalyptic themes. I guess it’s not that they are excited about it, it’s because movies like 2012 represent a reflective snapshot of who we are right now. These are also critiques of our three monster F’s – fears, faults, and flaws.

The melting crust, super-tsunamis, and continental shifting are not important; it’s the movie’s context that is. It’s the idea that the movie is not being released on to an innocent public, but to a world already agonizing from apocalyptic jitters. If we continue in destroying our only home – the Earth, we are all pointed to the 2012 phenomenon that we all fear.

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BOTTOMLINE, I’m not a certified scientist and I’m not even sure if I spelled it right (kidding). With this, I don’t know if all of those are true. Perhaps the Achilles’ heel of all apocalypse obsessions is that they drive us outwards logically and emotionally, away from ourselves, and into the arms of abstract notions and fears. Above all of these, there’s one thing I am certain, God is there and He will never leave us.

Let’s take the positive side of these issue and movie. Let’s take these stuffs as warnings, as guides. Let us not regard these movies and the occurrences in our country like the storms which lambasted us for nothing. We should do nothing less than ignore this frenzy. COMPASSION is the key. We should kit ourselves and if all else fails: BE A TOOL IN HELPING SAVE HUMANKIND.

Welcome to another edition of my column!

The days are long and the sun is hot. This can only indicate one thing – summer is here! Let’s take a break from all our school work.

As hot as the heat of the sun are the stuffs that are intriguing and “in” among teenagers at the moment. Come with me and let’s talk about them.

TEENAGE DRINKING 101

Challenging the computer games as the number one obsession among teens, here comes teenage drinking.

Just last Christmas vacation, with the green light given by my parents, I drank a one-full glass of red wine with 9.5 percent alcohol. Then, I slept. Well, all I got was an annoying headache when I woke up, nothing more beneficial. Then I thought of those heavy drinkers, especially those at my age, WHAT GOOD DO THEY GET FROM ALL THESE DRINKING??

Teenage drinking is more than just a nuisance or an adolescent phase. It has become an uncontrollable disease which completely takes over a person’s life – a constant and overwhelming addiction.

The question is: WHY DO THEY DRINK?

Alcoholism in its truest form is normally the terrain of adults, but there is a disturbing number of teenagers who have alcohol issues.

There are varied grounds why youngsters drink according to some teens I have interviewed. They drink to celebrate a special occasion, like a birthday of a barkada, either to escape their problems, or merely just for pure fun. Another reason why teenagers drink is because they have the attitude that the definition of having a good time is getting as wasted as possible. For them, they see this as something “cool” and something that makes them in style and popular and amusing to be with. Another intention is they do this to show off. Adolescents, particularly boys, find that alcohol releases the daredevil inside them. Alcohol’s property as a “disinhibitor” tends to remove inhibitions. Alcohol can literally give them the guts to do things they might not otherwise do and use it to embolden themselves.

But, are they aware of the cost of the price?

There are damaging results of teenage drinking that are quite severe and cannot be disregarded. According to learn-about-alcoholism.com, short-term drinking can lead to all sorts of problems, like memory loss, horrifying hangovers, undesirable behavior, etc., but long-term, the implications of unrelenting heavy drinking are very grave indeed. An upshot of drinking is weight gain. It is because alcohol contains a lot of calories due to its high sugar content. Alcohol also dehydrates the body terribly, leaving your skin dull and dry, often giving the drinker a wrinkled appearance. Bad breath is also an issue. So, you drink to become ugly?

It’s not just about physical symptoms either. The mental state is also disturbed in the long term: depression, suicidal tendencies, personality breakdown, inability to concentrate, hallucinations, and mood swings. Moreover, you might also get arrested for descending into a messy situation where the person becomes incoherent – maybe aggressive or violent.

Again, according to a teenager I have interviewed, they get the money they use in purchasing all those liquor is of course from their very own baon then they use the patak patak system or ambag-ambag to have a good time. In short, the money they utilize is from their parents, how about that? All I can say is, THINK ABOUT YOUR PARENTS. Maybe you have heard this a million times but I’ll stress this out again. They work hard to give you some money you could use in school yet you use it for something else – something insignificant. Place yourself in their shoes. If you are a parent and your son/daughter uses the money you have sacrificed for their vices, what would you feel? Think again.

TWILIGHT FEVER

Just last year’s November, an instant hit rocked thousands, even millions of screaming fans. The culprit, a novel-turned-movie, entitled “Twilight”, is based on the number one New York Times Best-Selling series with over 17 million books in print by Stephenie Meyer.

What makes this movie so popular?

According to a cousin of mine, she likes “Twilight” and the other series because of the thrilling plot. But if you will ask the other girls out there, they love it because of the lead male character, Edward Cullen. Edward is a vampire. He’s a vampire. Again, I repeat, he is a vampire, a supposed to be creepy, daunting, and terrifying creature. But look, he is everybody’s favorite. Why? It is because he is portrayed in the movie as a charming, polite, and determined one, entirely opposite of what he should be. Even his family is different from the other vampires since they thrive only on the blood of animals instead of human blood. Edward is also very romantic, proof are his sweet and sincere lines that captures not just the heart of his love interest, Bella Swan, a mortal unlike him, but also the girls who admires him and enthusiasts of the film. But then, actions are better than words. True to this, he is very protective over Bella and puts her safety, humanity, and welfare before anything else.

The closer the two main characters get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. But because of his strong affection for Bella, he is able to struggle and combat this difficulty.

***

If Edward could control his vampy urges over Bella and his family over the blood of mortals, why not those teenage drinkers control their appetite for alcohol??

Maybe those drinkers cannot stop because of peer pressure. But the truth is, there are many ways to say “no” to these temptations and still be cool, like “it’s too high in calories”, “it makes me sick”, or even, “I don’t like it!” CONTROL is the key. IT’S ALL UP TO YOU.

New School Year, New Staff

To start off with the list of new things in our department, we have a new Acting Principal in the name of Ronnie V. Castro and Assistant Principal in the person of Randy P. Bacares.

Seven faculty members were likewise appointed as new area chairmen, namely: Fe Z. Castro, English; Dinna E. Capin, Science; Melody R. Arquibel, MAPEH; Mely D. Discaya, AP; Luna E. Supanga, TLE; Shirley A. Genio, Filipino; and Ma. Teresa F. Baduria, EP.

New Names to Call

Before, surnames of the advisers were used as the name of the class. Now, it’s different.

During the start of classes, students were surprised because new names of sections are in store for them. In the first year level, the sections’ names were taken from the surnames of known scientists – Newton, Dalton, Archimedes, Copernicus, Curie, Fleming, Galileo, and Pasteur. Meanwhile in the second year level are rooted from zodiac signs – Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Pisces. And in the third year level, sections are named after constellations – Andromeda, Aquila, Capella, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Orion, Perseus, and Shaula. In connection with this, the students were even asked to research about their sections’ name for familiarization.

Weekly Ceremony

Every Monday, all high school students are gathered for at least 15 minutes for the flag ceremony. After the ritual are series of announcements.

The first one is the announcement of winners in various fields. This is done to recognize the said achievers and to highlight their positive works at the same time. Likewise, the weekly tardiness report for all the year levels is also announced. Its main purpose is not to embarrass the class, but instead, to challenge the students not to arrive late in their morning and afternoon classes so that their section won’t be branded as the one having the highest number of latecomers.

This year, the awarding for the cleanest classroom and most disciplined class is now held after the flag ceremony unlike the past years.

Open Sesame

Many were surprised because only those who are living within the vicinity of the school will be granted their lunch break gate pass. But still, no worries for those who are not living near the school. Their parents will be the one who will personally apply for the said request.

This new policy’s goal is to minimize the cases of truancy among the students. It might also be impossible for those not living near the school to return to class on time if they will have their lunch in their respective homes since 40 minutes is just the allotted time for the said break.

Safety Check

Every month we encounter two prominent persons in our classroom – our principal and assistant principal. They are there to visit and check if the students wear the prescribed and complete uniform. It is done monthly for consistency purposes and to instill discipline among students, leading them to the right direction.

Student-friendly environment

This is also the first time that our Guidance Counselor, Lani D. Nano, is not included in the Committee on Discipline.

Speaking about discipline, those people who need to undergo disciplinary action are not subjected to immediate punishment. They will first go through series of counseling and restorative guidance. There will be investigations to clear out the topic. The guidance office wouldn’t want to scare the students. They want to do the other way around, to help them and have a sound relationship with all the students.

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These changes are made for the betterment of the entire department. COOPERATION is the key. If done so, then we can make this school year pleasurable for all of us.

ACT ONE

Jeepers! It’s been months since I last kept posted with this dearest blog of mine - the Babble Bites^©. Well, blame it on the piles of dreadful works placed on me and my classmates’ shoulders during the last three months of our senior high. Ah, I could still recall, it was during those times when we felt that it was as if there’s no tomorrow. What I hated most is when we were given two long coupon bonds listing our January-April schedule of activities. Just seeing it makes me sick. Man, I loathe a planned life. But, here we are right now, all geared up to face our college years. It’s quite funny thinking that the then tensed-yet-relaxed-postured-people, haggard-yet-ready-to-smile-cuties, and most of all, the cram lovers, were able to get off the hook. We were able to reach the shore safely through all those tiresome tasks we had. Yeah, we may be frightened on how we would deal with the situations back then, but we never ran out of hope.

It looks like I am just missing my <>’s. Indeed.

ACT TWO

By the way, ‘BABBLE BITES’ is not just the label of this tumblr blog of mine. It is also the tag of my column in the Trailblazer, the official high school publication of the University of Nueva Caceres, my alma mater. It’s one thing that made my high school life complete. I relished every minute as an editor-columnist. It has been two years that I freely squeezed out my ideas in my very own page. Definitely, it’s really something I will miss. It’s something I caged in my heart for four wonderful years – being a staffer.

As a tribute for my existence in our school paper, I have planned to publish the four editions of my column in here. I don’t like much the first version because it wasn’t me who chose the topic coz I was just starting as a columnist then. Unlike with the three others wherein I had the freedom to go for what I crave to discuss with for the moment. Among the four, it’s the last that I love most, because it sums up my one-heck of a bittersweet high school life.

This year’s Christmas is like IT’S NEVER BEFORE.

Here’s why…

First,

It’s the first time I didn’t feel heavy-eyed while attending the Aguinaldo Mass, thanks to the jolly priest we had. He even brought with him different props popping out of his bag for his homily – props like signposts, toy sword, a hat with an arrow on it pointing to his left, and even a headband with ‘sungay’. Gosh, it’s the first time I caught sight of a priest wearing that thing! So unbelievable! Laughs. But, hilarious as he seems, I sure did learn heaps from him, like with the signpost “don’t block the driveway“, sometimes we tend to literally block others from doing good when it should be otherwise.

It’s one simbang gabi I’ll always remember.

Second,

Admit it or not, I am celebrating my last Christmas as a high school student (drama). It’s awkward to imagine that in just a matter of let’s say three months, me and my diamonds are not gonna see each other in the same classroom anymore. So, we made the most out of our Christmas party. At first, I was feeling incomplete because someone’s not enjoying.

We played our usual party games. We girls defeated the guys in the game longest line! Yipee! Then we had this game wherein a box will be passed round us and when the music stops, the person who has the box will pick one paper and give it to the person he/she thinks the message in it is referring to. It’s funny coz most of the papers are talking about one person only. Nice Ara. Laughs. Then I was the last to pick. Whoa. The message in the paper left for me to pick goes this way: “ibigay mo ito sa taong mahal mo”. Gosh, was that paper really destined to me?to give to him??

Off to our most-awaited part: exchanging of gifts. Kim was the one who picked me. According to the ‘prophecy’ me and my o1 friends made, the one who picks me will be having a resort someday that will be the venue of our future reunions. Nice Kim, and thanks for the gift. I also gave my o1 friends Christmas presents, and also my gRizzLy.

Picture taking here and there. Then homebound.

It’s one party I’ll always remember.

Lastly,

It’s the first Christmas we’ll be celebrating without my grandma. My Christmas feels incomplete without her. Last year she’s here, now she’s not. How ironic. But mommy, wherever you are, I wish you’re happy. I hope you are now with daddy and you’ll have your Christmas together. With that, I can be assured you’re okay. I really miss you! Love you both.

It’s one Christmas season I’ll always remember.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

By the way, how many times have I mentioned the word ‘Christmas’? Never mind. Laughs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

And that’s another one. ☺