La Sallian's Graduation Speech at UP College of Engineering

Note: I got this from my Facebook and I'd like to share it with you. 

I may not encountered any failure in grades at school, I graduated with honors but let's all admit it, we are all failures in one way or another, we all struggle to swim through the strong tides of problems that comes our way. 

In a meritocratic dog-eat-dog society, it is hard to be recognized if one has no credentials attached to one's name but we often overlook what really matters: those moments we strive harder and never give up; those moments where God, friends and family pick you up and hold your hand through it all; those moments you feel like you're on your knees and yet you went straight forward no matter what it takes even if you crawl your way out. The moment you saw the light at the end of the tunnel and you told yourself you made it. 

This speech was delivered by a La Sallian engineer in one of the graduation ceremonies at the UP College of Engineering.

Ngayong araw na ito, sa ating pagtatapos, mayroon akong dalang Transcript of Record. Ang estudyanteng may-ari ng transcript na ito ay nag-aral sa De La Salle University. Sa unibersidad na ito, kapag ikaw ay isang undergraduate, may ID number ka na nagsisimula sa “94” at pataas, kung lumipas ang isang buong school year at umabot ka sa 15 units na bagsak, masisipa ka sa paaralan.

Ang transcript na hawak ko ay mayroong 27 units ng bagsak. 12 sa mga ito ay tinamo ng estudyante sa iisang schoolyear lang. Ang isang subject ay kadalasang may bigat na 3 units. Kung iisiping mabuti, isang subject na bagsak na lang ay pwede na masipa ang estudyanteng may-ari ng transcript na ito. 

Ang speech na ito ay hindi ko ginawa para i-acknowledge ang paghihirap ng ating mga magulang sa pagpapaaral satin. Hindi ko din ito ginawa para maghayag ng political statement, o kumbinsihin kayo na huwag umalis sa bansa at tulungan itong makaahon. Ang speech na ito ay para sa mga normal na estudyante na kagaya ng may may-ari ng transcript na hawak ko, dahil madalas, wala talagang pakialam ang unibersidad sa mga achievements nila. May mga awards na gaya ng “Summa Cum Laude”, “Best Thesis Award” at “Leadership Award.” Pero ni minsan, hindi pa ako nakakakita ng unibersidad na nagbigay ng “Hang-on and managed to graduate despite nearly getting kicked-out during his academic stay” award. 

Maaaring isang malaking kagaguhan ang konseptong ito para sa karamihan. Bakit mo pararangalan ang isang estudyanteng bulakbol, bobo, tamad o iresponsable? Hindi ba dapat isuka ito ng unibersidad? Ito yung mga tipo ng estudyanteng walang ia-asenso sa buhay, hindi ba? 

Ayun. Natumbok niyo.Iyun na nga ang dahilan. 

Madalas, pag ang isang estudyante ay may pangit na marka sa paaralan, lalong lalo na sa kolehiyo, nakakapanghina ito ng loob. Nandiyan yung tatamarin ka mag-aral, nandyan yung iisipin mo “Ano pa kayang trabaho ang makukuha ko? Call center na naman o clerical? Ba’t kasi ang bobo ko. Kung matalino lang ako, sana, sa Proctor and Gamble ako, o kung saang sikat na kumpanya.” 

Mas mahirap ang dinadaanan ng mga estudyanteng bumabagsak. Kahit na sabihin mong kasalanan nilang bumabagsak sila, hindi ninyo alam kung ano ang pakiramdam ng ganun. Madaling sabihin na “Kaya mo yan, mag-aral ka lang,” pero alam ba natin talaga ang sinasabi natin? 

Kapag ang isang estudyante ay bumabagsak sa unibersidad, nandiyan yung tatawanan niya lang yan. O di kaya naman, ipagmamalaki niya pang “TAKE 5 NA KO!!!” o “Pare, magpi-PhD na ako sa Anmath3/Calculus/etc.” Pero hindi alam ng mga isang Summa Cum Laude kung ano ang nasa isip ng isang normal na estudyante sa tuwing matutulog ito at alam niyang pag-gising niya, kailangan niya na namang ulitin ang isang subject na nakuha niya na sa susunod na term. 

Kahit kalian, hindi naging problema sa “Star Student” na sabihing “Nay, bagsak ako.” at hindi kailanman sumagi sa isip nila na “Paano kaya kung sa walang-pangalang kumpanya lang ako makapagtrabaho?” Dahil sigurado sila sa kinabukasan nila. 

Huwag na tayong maglokohan. Grades are everything.Kahit bali-baligtarin mo iyan, hindi magiging patas ang mga kumpanyang kumukuha ng fresh graduates para magtrabaho sa kanila. Minsan din naman, nadadaan sa palakasan, pero ganun pa din. Kung hindi ka academically good, wala kang patutunguhan. Kung hindi man yun, mas mahirap yung dadaanan mo para lang makaabot sa prestihiyosong posisyon. 

Kaya ngayong graduation, ang speech na ito ay inaaalay ko para sa mga estudyanteng lumagpak, muntik-muntikan nang masipa o yung sa lahat ng paraang pwede, ginawa na para lang makatapos. Gagawin kong patas ang mundo para sa inyo kahit isang araw lang. Kahit ano pa ang sabihin ng ibang tao, kesyo kasalanan mo man na pangit ang marka mo o muntik ka nang makick-out, saludo ako sa hindi mo pagtigil sa pag-aaral. Saludo ako na may lakas ka ng loob na harapin pa rin ang mundo kahit alam mong hindi ito magiging patas sa iyo.Saludo ako na kahit pangit ang transcript mo, taas noo ka pa rin ngayong graduation at proud na proud sa sarili mo.

Ano ngayon ang mangyayari sa mga graduates pagkatapos nitong graduation? Ayoko nang puntahan yung pwedeng mangyayari sa mga Cum Laude. Baduy. Alam mo namang may patutunguhan ang buhay nila e. Pero dun sa mga lumagpak, ano ang meron? 

Maaring makakuha kayo ng mediocre na trabaho lang. Pwede ka rin swertehin, baka makapagtrabaho ka sa magandang kumpanya. Madami pang pwedeng mangyari. Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kung nung college, nagtiyaga kayo e ba’t titigilan niyo yung pagti-tiyaga ngayon? 

Pwede ring ganito: Mag-aral ka ulit. Ipakita mo sa kanila na kung sisipagin ka lang, malayo ang mararating mo. Subukan mong patunayan sa kanila na kapag pinilit mo, kaya mo ring abutin yung naabot nila. Na hindi ka bobo, kundi tinamad ka lang. 

Baka sabihin ninyo, drowing lang ako. 

I’ve been on both sides. Naranasan ko na ring lumagpak, at muntikan na din akong masipa. Naranasan ko na ang umulit ng 4 na beses sa iisang subject. Naranasan ko na ang masumbatan ng magulang, kapatid at kung sino-sino pang propesor na walang pakialam sa pakiramdam ng estuyante. Naranasan ko nang hindi makatulog ng maraming gabi sa pagiisip kung paano ko na naman sasabihin sa magulang ko na may bagsak na naman ako. Kaya alam ko ang pakiramdam ninyo. 

Akin ang transcript na ito. 

Pagkagraduate ko ng college, ano ang ginawa ko? Eto.Nagtrabaho muna ng konti, tapos aral ulit. Kuha ng Masteral sa kurso ko. Hindi para sa trabaho o kung ano man. Kundi para patunayan sa sarili ko na noong mga panahong bumabagsak ako, tinatamad lang ako. 

This is a rebellion. I raise my middle finger to every professor, over-achiever, naysayer and detractor THAT TOLD ME THAT I CAN'T MAKE IT. I raise my middle finger to every valedictory or graduation speech that only gratifies the university, those who were achievers in school or those who gratify the country when it’s supposed to be the graduate’s moment of glory. You are supposed to acknowledge EVERYONE. Even those who failed many times. 

Kaya sa inyong mga graduates na medyo hindi maganda ang marka, para sa inyo ito. Kung kinaya ko ito, kaya niyo rin to. Imposibleng hindi.

"Telephone" Parody by Lady Gagita and Benzonce

Recently, Youtube superstar Lady Gagita and Benzonce bursted into the spotlight
My brother first introduced me to the quirky duo
Later on one of my friend mentioned about the Mayaman University production team ("mayaman" means rich in Filipino terms) and we all claimed we've viewed the parody of "Telephone", amazing!
Later this week I checked the broadsheets and I even saw Lady Gagita in print! 

Wow oh wow aren't these two getting the attention they truly deserve.

Do they deserve a spot on my blog? =p Yes they do! 

As one Youtube commentator said, they're very resourceful when it comes to costumes and  I love them for it. 

It doesn't matter if you have the budget or not, as long as you have creative juices and passion for it you can create an outstanding music video.

What caught me and my friends' eye, since we're all film majors, Mayaman University is not your ordinary home made parody. The location might be low budget, the costumes are not really replicated but still it takes a lot of effort because they created a lot of costumes. However, the people behind this video really know how to work the camera and editing, we're even thinking Vinzon Leojay Booc and the rest might be film students too.

Camera movement may not be so flawless, the camera quality may not be at par with high budgeted music videos but that's okay, it really takes time to train steady hands and we cannot really purchase expensive broadcasting quality cameras since a good unit might cost a hundred thousand plus Philippine Pesos. I really really love the sleek and almost perfect editing to bits and it makes up for everything else.

Can I just say I love Lady Gagita and Bezonce for their incredible talent? ^.^

I must say, I've watched various music video from various countries and I will stand by my comment that the camera truly loves Filipino talents. At first I wasn't so sure if they're Filipino because the location seem a bit different from the ones here in Manila and they're talking in another dialect, sometimes I often interchange local dialects to Thai, Malaysia and Indonesia's languages but but later on I checked the other videos, I saw a car's plate number and it's definitely the Philippines' plate number. When I try to think about moving to another country I know I will miss the Philippines for the great entertainment and talent; they're irreplaceable. They're the best, Filipinos can sing, dance, act etc. Moreover, most Filipinos have quirky characters and they're very expressive; it shows on their face and they are a natural when it comes to projecting their expression on camera. It doesn't matter if you don't look like the standard good looking celebrity, as long as you have the character and you can project it well, the camera will love you <3

I Love "Working Girls"!

Okay, so I haven't watched the full movie yet but the trailer is so enticing!

I love Eugene Domingo as an actor, she's the one who delivered the line "I will stand up for it". Reading some of her past interviews before, I learned that Eugene Domingo has a degree in Theater Arts from University of the Philippines. I've watched "Kimmy Dora" before and her acting is oozing with energy whichever character she plays. As Kimmy, I really felt the tension and stress while Dora releases that stress from me. Haha! This year is a good year for Eugene Domingo actually, she has a lot of shows in GMA, one of the leading TV network in the Philippnes, plus great movies churning out.

Another thing that caught my eye is Bianca King. I can really really feel for Bianca King's character as a segment producer. Believe me, being told you're a crap, your concepts are a bloody bore, you yourself is a bloody bore etc. did made me a better Communication Arts student. but I'm still a human and I do get hurt and tired of hearing the same insults over and over again for the past 3 years, I'm just glad I was spared getting my work thrown at my face! Haha! However, that doesn't stop me from doing online publishing! <3

"Working Girls" is directed by Direk Jose Javier Reyes, I believe he had a Communication Arts teaching stint in De La Salle University before along with the Sir Doy del Mundo Jr. I love Sir Doy, at first I thought wow he must be a superstar, he wrote the screenplay for great Filipino films like "Maynila... Sa Kuko ng Liwanag", "Markova: Comfort Gay" etc. etc. but it turned out he was very approachable and down to earth. Sometimes me and my friends call him Papa Doy because he is like the father figure in Communications Department. Sir Doy is loving but I didn't say he's not a terror. He could be loving but he is strict (still a relatively mild term) but believe me, he's gonna make you a better person, hone your skills and improve your work ethics. Direk Joey or Jose Javier Reyes is also a great filmmaker, he does mainstream films like "Working Girls" and yet he also creates indie films.

"Working Girls" is actually the third remake from the 1984 film with the same title and it was directed by another great Filipino filmmaker Ishmael Bernal. Later on "Working Girls 2" was done in 1987 also directed by Ishmael Bernal. I haven't viewed the first and second film but clips are included in the trailer above.

I think I'm gonna enjoy "Working Girls"! ^.^ 

I Miss DLSU-M's Food! Plus 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake in the Philippines

Finally! After a couple of months deprived of all the oily unhealthy but oh so yummy De La Salle University-Manila food, I finally caved in and trekked all the way there just to eat and of course visit my boyfriend who's been really busy working so hard just to graduate this term. <3

I miss eating Sumo Bowl's Pesto rice with Chicken Tenders. Sumo Bowl is located at DLSU-M's SPS building, 2nd floor canteen. 

Chicken Tenders with Pesto Rice costs Php90 with a large cup of Nestea Iced Tea.

I know it sounds ridiculously expensive for canteen food compared to the other top universities but hey it's La Salle and land value is very expensive here, someone's got to pay for the rent. Check the condominiums out and find out how much you have to shell out if you wanna live near De La Salle University-Manila. 

Yum yum... I know this isn't gourmet but so is my taste bud, I'm not choosy with my food or the location of the food place, SPS isn't one of the better canteens in La Salle but as long as it tastes good, let's dig in! <3

Chicken Tenders is basically strips of chicken coated in a special tasty batter, deep fried to a perfect crisp then placed on a bed of pesto rice alongside with the dressing.
I know you've heard of pesto mixed in pasta but pesto mixed in rice is actually delicious; it brings out the aroma of the pesto and the rice absorbs pesto's fragrance.

Here's me looking happy with my food, people tell me I got thinner even when I'm just bumming here at home for almost 3 months! 

Probably that's because I don't eat breakfast anymore because when I get up late in the morning I take a bath, clean the house and then eat my home cooked lunch which usually has less oil and less fat. When I was still studying I used to eat home cooked breakfast, fast food lunch and dinner plus occasional snacks to give me a boost of energy.

I still feel like I'm still studying though I graduated already, it's just that I feel like I'm merely cutting my classes for a long period of time =p haha! 

I still look like a student, don't I? ^.^ 

here's a break down of my simple make up for the day:

Jill Stuart Day Care Essence

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation in Ivory

Shu Uemura Pro Concealer

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

MAC eye shadow in Goldmine

Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus

Jill Stuart Mix Blush in Fresh Apricot

Kiehl's Lipbalm #1

Jill Stuart lipstick in Baby Coral

I'm also wearing sun screen, it's Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock in SPF30

Here's a photo of a dog in Agno wearing shorts, coolness! I missed this moment! 

There are a lot of stray dogs and cats but they always stay in La Salle because students usually give them food and often times even pet 'em. This dog is thin actually, a lot of cats and dogs are fat and plump!

All photos are taken by my boyfriend since he owns Nikon D80

 I'm starting to pronounce 'Nikon' like my photography professor Ms. Teena Saulo does: 'Nay-kon' instead of 'Nee-Kon'

*****************

Hope everybody is safe!

Philippines experienced a maximum of 6.2 magnitude earthquake today

I knew it would come sooner or later, cockroaches started to come out from the grounds and they were running amok for the past two days. 

Last night I watched the news in 24 Oras that the fish in some part in Manila rose from the deep waters and it was unusual for the fishies to do so.

According to ANCalerts via Twitter

Quezon City felt intensity 4 

Makati and Mandaluyong felt intensity 3-4

6.1 magnitude was felt 139km away from Manila

in Mindoro coast it was around 6.2 my friend Niko told me

There's no tsunami alert yet and I hope it will stay that way

Still, let's all pray for our safety. 

Indie Un Film 2010 Final Screening and Awarding at SM Mall of Asia Cinema!

For indie film lovers and for those who are planning to watch indie films, this is a great opportunity. 

Indie Un-Film 2010 Final Screening and Awarding
Feb. 27, 2-6pm
at Cinema 1, SM Mall of Asia
Tickets are sold at P150 each

Contact Iris Hung to buy your tix

*scroll over and click on Iris' name to reroute to her Facebook page*

support Indie films!!! \m/

What Came in the Mail Today

Usually I'm giddy to receive parcels from make up sellers but today is different, I was quite excited to get my diploma ^.^

Aah... Here it is! I've coughed out a lot of blood for this piece of paper. Is it worth it? Hmm... In some ways it is if I'm going to look beyond this piece of paper and remember the life lessons De La Salle University-Manila taught me. Yes of course the university is excellent in teaching knowledge but it's undeniable I have learned a great deal of wisdom also. 

What I like about DLSU is that they always spell my surname correctly and they're neutral about it. Very adult and professional-like of them. 

Unlike the Philippine government offices such as the Quezon City Hall where they give me weird looks and smirks when they see my surname as if I can't spell my surname correctly. 

I wasn't really expecting to get it today because I was advised to receive it on March but they delivered it pretty early.

Along with my diploma is a souvenir edition of my transcript but I also requested a transcript for employment purposes several weeks ago.

The weird thing is, I've marched on my graduation day, I've received my diploma and all but it still hasn't sunk in that I actually graduated. It's as if I'm just on a long summer break.

I Was Told to Be Proud of My Title

During my graduation I wasn't really proud of my title Honorable Mention

When I was studying and doing on projects, I did my best because I wanted to and I enjoyed doing what I did; not because I was aiming for the title. 

When this came it was a bit of a surprise for me, then I remember I can't even count the numerous Dean's List certificates I own. All are stowed away in my closet; whenever I get my certificate I just shove it inside a folder and when I get home I keep it in my closet. 

I only bought one frame for all the certificates; it was already bulging that I got a brown envelope and stored most inside the envelope instead. 

In a meritocratic society people do give due respect to these titles because as they say it shows how good you are. 

However I don't believe in that; who would believe in that crap when you're raised by a father who just finished Grade 3?

Grades are nothing but just numbers. When I initially got this I thought "Big deal..."

However, my father learned that I got a distinction. I said "Nah, it's below Cum Laude"

But he said it's good enough, after all I've worked hard... He was smiling ear to ear. 

That's when I felt proud; 

I felt proud not because it shows how good or smart a person is;

I felt proud of my title because it made my father and mother happy and proud.

Here's how it looks pinned on my toga

Just curious, it's made in Cebu =p 

Right now the badge is still here in front of me, I don't know when it will join the pool of Dean's List Certificates. 

This one is precious not because of the title itself but because of the memory it holds that my parents are proud of me. 

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation in 202 Ivory

Tadaah! This is one of my prized possession now. Well, my BRTC BB cream is at its last few days before it's all gone so yes I'm ready to use Jill Stuart now. Jill Stuart is quite hard to find in some parts of the globe and luckily for us here in South East Asia, I got this from Bon just from our neighboring country Taiwan. ^.^

Wo yaw hwei chi Tai Wan ran hou wo mai hen tuo Jill Stuart tai lai Fei Li Pin! 

sucks when your computer can't type Chinese words haha =p 

I actually used this on my graduation day and it's almost a no-no to change your foundation on the special day itself because you might not like the results and skin reaction later on. I took a gamble and it's all worth it. You get what you paid for. 

This is the box itself; it looks so simple and elegant.

Japanese words- I don't know how to read 'em =p

but I do know Jill Stuart's Moist Silk Liquid Foundation has SPF18 and it's 30ml. It costs Y4000- you do the math.

The top box lid is very simple and yet intricately designed. I love how Jill Stuart pays so much attention to simple things.

Here is how it looks like open- Aw... It doesn't have a pump ='(

That's the sad thing about this but that's okay it wouldn't be long before I finish this up- hopefully!

You have to tip and pour a small amount on your palm or mixing plate if you have one.

let's go to the cap design- it looks very very sophisticated

Here's the top view

What Jill Stuart says:

Liquid foundation with a silky soft feel and natural coverage. Blends easily for a semi-matte, chiffon like complexion. 

At first I cannot understand why they call it 'chiffon like complexion' but now I do, you just have to see it for yourself. 

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation Swatch in 202 Ivory

I know it looks funny haha, I was afraid I might pour too much because I'm only doing a swatch for now and we know how hell expensive Jill Stuart is, right? 

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid foundation also has the signature mild floral rose scent which I am addicted to; don't worry the scent goes away after a while =)

Surprisingly the consistency is 75% liquid and 25% creamy in texture so it just gives you the right consistency. You can easily blend this and yet it's not too watery or runny. 

I used MAC 187 stippling brush and it works very very well; it distributes the amount needed without having to drag the bristles just to spread the foundation.

It also blends perfectly to my skin tone. This is my perfect match!

Coverage: It almost concealed my small pimples perfectly. It doesn't do well like a real concealer would do but whenever I use this I don't need to pat on concealer anymore because it does it's job to hide pimples fairly well.

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation does create a nice smooth and soft half matte looking canvass- I cannot explain how it happens but it seems as if you have naturally good skin and you're glowing from within;  just check the photo below on my graduation day.

I'm very very satisfied with this foundation. Oil control is also great; I have a moderately oily T-zone and the day I wore Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation I only felt some oil on my forehead around 12 noon when I applied my foundation around 5am in the morning. 

It dries up fast too; no sticky yucky night cream feel on my skin. Perfect for humid weather. At first I was worried this was gonna be thick because this was released during the winter season and it is called 'Moist' but then again it's a great product, it didn't let me down. 

Paired with Jill Stuart Day Care Essence as a base- it's base make up heaven! I've never been this satisfied using base make up before...

Graduation Came

At laaast!!! After almost four years of studying at De La Salle University-Manila

Graduation came...

It was a bittersweet moment for all of us

We're happy that we're done and we're ready to embark to the next journey of our lives

We're sad that we won't be seeing each other often.

I'm glad I graduated with my close friend and block mate Abi

I'm sad I didn't graduate with my other block mates and friends (same sentiment with Abi haha)

But at least we got through college together though we're colleges apart.

Fixing my tassel in this pic, I think =p I just had this funny expression haha

When: Feb 6, 2010

Where: PICC

Time: 8am to 11am

Honorable Mention (but my 'badge' can't be seen coz of my long hair) 

P.S. I love Bro. Armin's earring haha, love him for tirelessly shaking our hands and smiling all through out handing diplomas to 900+ graduates and calling us with our nicknames.

Since this is a beauty blog I won't let this pass without a break down of my graduation FOTD:

Jill Stuart Day Care Essence primer

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation in 202 Ivory

Shu Uemura Pro Concealer 3YR Medium Light

Kanebo Media PO-BI Powder

Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Mascara

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay eyeshadow in Ecstasy from Book of Shadows 2

Urban Decay eyeshadow in Sellout from Book of Shadows 2

Jill Stuart Jewel Crystal Eyes eye shadow palette

L'oreal Blush Delice in Fresh Papaya

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in PK308

Shiseido Primalise Gloss in 92