2:27 AM, just after ABS CBN played the national anthem

April 26, 2011, the day after my birthday

I’m sleepy but I have to stay awake. My nephew and niece might wake up and cry. It’s so hard without dad around. He left for Leyte last night, gave me a birthday kiss, and left me with a big responsibility.

Tonight and for the two following nights, I have to watch over 5 kids; only two of them need utmost care, though. When these two cry, I have to do whatever I can to make them sleep: I’d tell lies, cradle them in my arms, etc.

These kids are my half sister’s children. Sadly, when her husband left her, she left the house too. She never came back after that and we don’t know where she is now. It has been months since she left. I wonder if she misses them. I wonder what the real reasons are for her leaving. Can she stand not to see her kids for years? I really don’t know. But one thing’s for sure: they may not have their parents’ support, these kids would grow up having me and my dad as their protectors.

It’s so hard to be a parent. But the feeling when you see them sleep so soundly or when they kiss you in the cheeks and say “ate Vernie!!” make you smile.

3:09AM, April 26, 2011, coffee keeps me awake

Yesterday afternoon, we sorted out the shoeboxes and other things that Sanna Pronk sent to us. She’s a Dutch who annually sends shoeboxes (with stuffs in them) for the kids in Cebu. Usually, ALEx (Aboitiz Leaders of Excellence) members are the ones who are going to distribute them to selected barangays.

We found some winter clothes and shoes! Aaah, winter. It made me remember my stay in Japan. Oh, it has been four months since I have been there. I miss the weather. I miss our daily routine.

Every day, we had to wake up at early to help Okaasan (that’s how we call our host mother) prepare breakfast. I would prepare the utensils while Stephanie* would help Okaasan cook. We usually had ham, eggs, rice, milk or corn soup, and seaweed for breakfast. After eating, Steph and I would wash the dishes and help Okaasan do the laundry. Helping the parents do the household chores is a common trait that Japanese and Filipino people share.

After doing the chores, we’d go jogging at a park near the house. It is equipped with materials for exercise such as sit ups. It also has a playground and a big stadium where concerts in Gifu are usually held. Exercising was my only way to perspire; since the weather was so cold, my sweat glands were having their rest days. :D

Japanese streets are so silent. Whenever you take a walk, you always feel safe and at peace. The cold morning weather is negligible because of the warm greetings, bows and smiles of the people whom you meet along the road. Some passersby would greet you “Ohayou”, which means good morning, with a smile. Of course, we were expected to greet back (I think this is also practiced in the rural areas in the Philippines but seldom in the urban areas). You could also see some people biking. Trivia: Do you know that in Japan, there should only be one biker per bicycle? If it exceeds one, it’s illegal. :D wai angkas didto bai.

We’d spend the whole day out of the house and travel to some places by car or by train. Click HERE to see the places we have been.

At 6PM onwards, Steph and I would take turns to use the PC. We eat dinner at 7 or 8PM. We’d do the usual routine, I’d prepare the utensils on the table and Steph would help Okaasan cook.

Since the weather’s very cold, and perhaps because of our culture, the two of us always wanted to go to sleep 30 minutes after eating but in order to survive the cold, we need to take a hot bath.

Before sleeping, I’d use the PC again and go to sleep at 12 midnight. Since the PC is placed near the veranda, in a space between our room and my host parents’ room, there were times that Otousan goes out of their room and advises me to sleep early because we have to wake up early the next day. Japanese are day people; they sleep and wake up early. Time is very important for them: once it is wasted, it can’t be brought back.

I miss the days. I miss the cold. I wish I could go back… which is possible! HAAHAH since otousan told me that there is a very big possibility that I could go to Japan again on December! Yeey.

* the other scholar who was also given a chance to go to Japan

Japan, the land of the rising sun.

I have been there last December 18-January 3. We visited a lot of places :D 

NAGOYA UNIVERSITY

                All the rooms are well ventilated and are equipped with learning materials such as projectors, a TV, a VHS, and a free WIFI connection. Students have their designated places to study in their study rooms. They also have a card that entitles them to photocopy up to 900+ pages. When they already used up the 900+, they just have to renew the card.

There are no security guards; the students are responsible for their safety. Their cafeteria is so spacious. Their roads are very clean and wide. Their comfort rooms are also clean.

The school’s water and electricity is subsidized by their government.    

                

 

HIGAYASHIMA ZOO

                You can see diverse animal species from different parts of Japan: monkeys, tigers, eagles, elephants, giraffes, pandas, and many others.  It was also my first time to see polar bears dancing, sea lions showing off their swimming skills, and penguins entertaining little children with their cuteness.

KYOTO TOEI MOVIE LAND

Old-style Japanese houses, Edo Period Law Courts, Edo Period Shops, Movie Museums, Old-style Theater and Samurai houses surround the village. It was named as such because most Japanese movies that require old settings are usually filmed there.

                There are quarters where we saw courtesans in traditional costumes; some were dressed as geishas and samurais. You saw live samurai movies being shot on authentic outdoor Edo-period sets. You also watched TV samurai dramas in the making at the simulated live film studios.

                 It is also famous for its Haunted House which is dubbed as the scariest haunted house in Japan. When we entered, two Japanese ladies dressed in traditional costumes entertained us. They reminded us that some of the ghost characters are members of the TOEI Theater Group and whenever we get scared, we cannot hurt them.  We were also not allowed to take pictures. When we got inside the haunted house proper, forming a line with our hands raised forward and touching the shoulder of the person in front of us, it scared the hell out of me. The ghost seemed so real: their make-ups, costumes, facial expressions and actions are so ghost-like. I screamed and screamed and I almost cried. Whoa. It is indeed scary.

At Kyoto Toei Movie Land, Japanese History is really kept alive.

UNVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN

                While still at the gates, the magical sound of Disney music welcomed us. We headed to the ticket area and bought some tickets. (See picture for the ticket prices)

                There are stalls where Disney products are sold such as Sesame Street caps and shirts.

 I did not mind my motion problems; we tried all the rides and had fun. After each ride, I felt like vomiting but I controlled it all. We tried Back to the Future, Space Fantasy, Jurrasic Park ride and Jaws. It is after the Space Fantasy ride that my motion problem really worsened.  

We also watched Spiderman 4D and Backdraft, where we did not pretty much enjoy since we did not understand what the characters were saying since they’re all in Japanese.

Every night, there are parades of the Disney characters, made of properly arranged metals and colorful lights. There's also a romantic musical played by Universal Studio actors.

                

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1:45 AM

April 18, 2011

Insomnia strikes again.

I can’t sleep tonight. The National Anthem is now playing on TV; ABSCBN is signing off.

I can’t think of what to write so pardon the improperly organized ideas. I’d just write about what pops out of my mind.

AFLBS

When I knew about it last year, I told myself that I have to join when I reach third year.

But now that I am an incoming third year student, I don’t feel like applying. Some factors have affected my decisions. First, because I have no big achievements and to brag about* except YMA and DL; second, I’ve only held a few significant positions since I entered college; third, because I feel that I am not prepared for the summit and I believe that I still need a lot of catching up to do with academics; and lastly, because someone whom I treat so differently, far different than others, is applying too,… whoever that is, you’d know soon.

My decision WAS final: although my friends are applying, I AM NOT.

It was Friday when the Program Committee of ALEx met at Ayala. I was surprised that people were looking for and making their certificates for the past ALEx activities. By just looking at those thin sheets of parchment papers, I knew what they are for. I did not know my friends are very serious in applying. They asked me why I decided not to do the same. “I’m not ready” was all I could reply. April 18 is the deadline yet I haven’t even started filling up the application form. True copy of grades or TCG was another requirement and it takes three working days before you can claim that. Goodness.

They really didn’t give up on me. They can’t accept that they’d have GGB or Gulo-Gulong Buhay weekend acquiring all those requirements; they wanted me to have a GGB weekend too. Ate cams have decided to apply and she hasn’t acquired her TCG yet which made me think I could still apply. Finally, they have changed my once final decision: I am applying.

GGB weekend started yesterday. I kept on calling the people and asked them about the significant community services that ALEx had given for the past year, called Madame Raz and asked the same certificates that Lea asked last week, called Rhyle and Jezreel and asked what their significant positions were. Rhyle and I were supposed to go to Madam Raz’ house to get the certificates but since Councilor Rhyle Sayat is so busy with his SSC sessions, we were not able to. I just slept the whole afternoon. In the evening I tried to write about what inspires me as a leader, which is also one of the requirements, but thoughts and ideas were not there. I found myself staring at the netbook for minutes.

Today, I woke up at 9AM, washed my clothes, ate lunch and read an e-book. I was meeting Jomes at 2PM in Jollibee USC. He was going to give me my certificate for being TEC’s literary editor, a position which was now changed to Entertainment editor since our beloved vice chair didn’t find the poems intellectual. Okay, okay. Even though the second statement of The Executive Chronicle’s By-Laws SECTION III states that “there would be no discrimination of any literary work submitted as to race, gender, religion, political views and individual ides of any literary work submitted”, I understand her point.

I arrived in Jobi at 1:40PM and waited for Jomes there. To kill the time, I called some people and asked them if they’re willing to host a Dutch or a Belgian this July and August 2011 during the Multi-city Youth Exchange (MYX), formerly known as Pibedex. I listed four people who are interested but they have to ask their parent’s permission first. Hmm. It was already 2:20 in my phone. He’s late. I got up and went to the counter to order to buy Coke float. When I was about to sit, I saw the one I was waiting for.

Jomes and I talked about TEC stuff: how expensive the price is for one colored newsletter, how he worries about the layout, etcetera etcetera etcetera. I was shocked when he asked me about MY requirements for AFLBS. How did he know that I am applying? I lied, but I was forced to tell the truth. It was obvious: I was so happy that the deadline for application was extended and I asked for my TEC certificates. Grrr. I don’t want Jomes to know that I am applying not because I see him as my competitor nor because of his IMBAness. Maybe it is my reaction to his being so paranoid about what other people thinks of him that he doesn’t want many people to know what he has been doing. Ugh. Jomes, please... what other people think of you is none of your business, suya rana sila oie! ano ba..

When he knew that I didn’t have plans to go to church, Jomes reminded me that Palm Sunday is one of the most important celebrations of the church. Yes, of course it is. HAHAHA. Instead of going to Raz’ house, I attended the 4:30 mass at Sto. Rosario. I went home with a smile on my face: it’s so good to be back, Lord, it’s sooo good to be back.

Aaah, what a lazy weekend it was, not a GGB. I haven’t done anything for AFLBS. Perhaps, and hopefully, I could finish acquiring and making the requirements tomorrow.

I SHOULD sleep. Good night buddies.

*there’s a portion of the application form where you are obliged to write 5 most significant positions that you’ve held in college, 5 most significant awards and achievements that you have received and 5 most significant community activity that you’ve done. You also have to submit documents or certificates that could prove them. 

Being a Triennial delegate is really a great experience. I hope RAFI would still organize a program like this next year. :)))