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A Long Sem-Ender Entry for A Long Semester

A Drama Mix

This semester has been the most productive semester of my entire college life.  I never imagined that I could do all these (as in all of the first semester shizz that I got into) in just one semester. This semester is amazingly wild. Juggling stuff, pursuing deadlines, extending limits, multi-tasking hundreds and thousands of tasks and managing the limited twenty four hours of everyday life--- I wouldn't be learning all these things if not for this semester.  Despite all the associated toxicity of this semester, I met new friends, rediscovered old friendships, deepened and strengthened existing relationships. But mind you, this semester was not an easy ride. I also lost some friends, missed some important events, lose in a game, and frustratingly experienced a one-way romantic affection. This semester is a complete season 1 of a drama television series. Seriously, I had a lot of drama for the first six months of my college junior year. And when I talk about drama, I mean real drama. But this semester ended with a cool and awesome mixture of sweetness, bitterness, happiness and calmness hoping that it would not be something like calm before the storm (hello impending November storm).

So Much For An Octopus-type Multi-Tasking

On Academics

No worries, except for those professors with grading systems guided by the favorite Irish Pub game (hello darts!). This semester’s coursework is quite stressful but I’ve learned many things. Aside from the fact that my courses this semester are inherently interesting, I’m fortunate enough that the professors who handled these courses are excellent in their fields (there are exceptions—emphasis on exceptions). My Political Science courses for this semester are five percent short of being perfect. I took up Comparative Governments of Selected European States (mainly comparative aspects of European politics and governments and European Union) under Prof. Carl Marc Ramota, Political Dynamics (lectures and readings on the State and Civil Society plus analytical approaches) under Prof. Risa Jopson, and Human Rights (all-encompassing discussions on human rights, theories and realizations) also under Prof. Risa Jopson. Then I had three non-Political Science courses for this semester. I took up Microeconomics (all that Gregory Mankiw shizz) under Prof. Allan Mesina, Science, Technology and Society (disappointing because of its bias to the capitalist school of thought) under Prof. Del Rosario and Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal (what? I thought this was a creative writing course?) under Prof. Benjamin Mangubat.  I have to admit that I enjoyed all my Political Science coursework for this semester especially the lecture about United Kingdom, European Union, social movements and almost all the lectures regarding human rights. However, I also have to admit that I was disappointed with two of my non-Political Science courses (that of STS and PI 100).

Now I Know What The Hell This Flag Is

On Student Council

This is my first year in the college student council, well, my first year in a student council. I was elected as the college Vice-Chairperson and I’m tasked with a lot of things contrary to the customary definition of what a Vice-Chairperson is (the one who just relax until he/she can assume the position of the Chairperson). Well, I’m the head of the Organizations and Community Welfare Committee of the council which is basically the coordinating arm between college organizations and the student council. I tried to introduce new stuff regarding organizations and council integration and governance stuff (Council of Student Organizations) but there are still lots of things to do-emphasis on a lot. I’m also the head of the Oblation Corps which is the volunteer arm of the council. I recruit, train and assign tasks to volunteers. We now have a lot of volunteers; I just have to find ways to maximize their talents and potentials. Also, under the new Constitution, I was also assigned as the Executive Council Secretary which is the most stressful administrative job inside the council. I have to monitor attendance, encode minutes, document things, file council shizz, regulate incoming and outgoing correspondence, schedule assemblies and all other secretary shizz. (I was thinking if I could apply as the University Secretary or the Secretary of the UP Board of Regents. Well, apparently, I can.) Aside from those tasks, I'm determined to assert my usefulness as the next officer in line, and I can safely say that this has been the most productive CAS student council since my first year in the college. We've been successful in our plan in reviving the student council and transforming it into a campaign, activities, and service-oriented institution.  Good job for the first semester! Agree? :)

For a more responsive, student-centered and pro-people student council next semester! Cheers!

Campus Strike by the University of California, Los Angeles (After a 50 percent cut in the budget)

Still in UCLA

On Activism

There are notable changes in my productiveness as an activist but there are also few problems that I've encountered this semester. First, this semester is a difficult time for any activist. What we have to do for the whole semester is to expose to the majority of the people that the new government of Aquino III is not different from the past governments. It takes courage and ability to do that. Talk about persuasive ninja skills. Well, people are still disillusioned and/or are somewhat hopeful that Aquino III will deliver some changes in the way that this country is being run. But, guys, no radical change will happen. Do I really have to tell people that corruption is not the root cause of poverty and underdevelopment in the Philippines? Do I really have to? This is a challenging task and I'm willing to take the challenge. Secondly, UP, which happens to be my school, is receiving its highest budget cut in its history. This is a serious problem for a university that is striving to be accessible and yet having limited financial capabilities. You don't have to study the budget statistics to know that UP has limited budget every year, and it is getting smaller year after year. And the university has no other choice but to compromise the public character of the university. Opposing the railroading of the WB and IMF-led commercialization of education in the Philippines will not be an easy fight. It will be a tough fight! But we'll not let this budget cut slide, right? Not without a fight! Prepare for a strike! Lastly, I've noticed that I was not able to attend any educational discussions for this semester. And I will change that next semester. FYI, activists spend most of the time not in the streets but studying in groups. We have a lot of materials to study covering historical, economic, political, social and cultural aspects of the Philippine society. Do you want to join? Let me know. :) But seriously, there's still room for improvements for the activist me.

Walkout Against Budget Cut in University of Califonia, Berkeley

Our September 24 Walkout Against SUC Budget Cut

On Relationships

By relationships, I mean all types of mortal (a relationship with a Supreme Being assuming it exists or with an imaginary ghost friend does not count) relationships. Friends, family, foes and even that special someone falls under this catch-all category.

I can say that this particular sphere of my life has been the most unpredictable, challenging and stressful (emphasis on stressful) part of my first semester. The relationship problems I've encountered for this semester are those that cannot be solved merely through an emergency meeting ala student council or a plan ahead of time. Problems in relationships are more complex than how-can-I-get-a-perfect-score-in-this-examination-problem or how-can-I-convince-student-organizations-to-attend-meetings-problem. It takes a lot of creativity, effort, courage, thinking and a whole lot of feeling.

I became closer to my friends, especially to my barkada. Our barkada faced many challenges this semester but we all got through it---but not easily though. The scars that we got through these challenges will always make us remember how stupid we are for letting some thing or some issues get in the way of our friendship. Ewww, cheesy.

In the case of my family, they are still the static, non-dynamic and passive aspect of my life. A pushy mom is not a problem, right? Or not. But I have to say that I'm getting used to it. But I'm still experiencing wavelength issues with my siblings.

I have a special someone, (ayiee)---though I'm sure that I'm not special to that person. I've developed something new this semester in terms of having romantic affairs. It was my first time to try to reach to another person and ask for affection. Well, it feels different to be at the other side of relationship. I have to admit that this has been the most stressful, major major challenge that I've encountered this semester.  But almost all of my friends believe that this problem made me change for the better. I agree. And that's more important. Lessons from mistakes. Check! Perfect.

Relevant

Next Semester

Hey, Mr. Next Semester! Be cooler and more awesome, kay? More challenges and more lessons! I want another season of TV drama with lots of twists and unexpected changes. Promise me, you’ll never make me bored. Challenge me! :)

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