THE KIWI WHO SOARED THE SKIES...

            Okay, since UPd people are posting "evaluations" for the classes they've taken, let me post mine as well.

1^st Semester of my First Year

"Evaluation"

Subject: Math 17

Professor: Mr. Clarrisson Canlubo

Grade Basis: Five long exams, quizzes and assignments (during the early days), his never ending board works, and the Departmental Exams (Midterm and Final Exam).

Class Description: His teaching style, in my opinion, varies from the rest. He would dissect each concept first, explaining to us how it arrived to that concept. He'd say random jokes and tell stories whenever he feels to. Well, I can say that as a teacher, he IS fun but I don't really like his teaching strategy. His long exams may vary from VERY easy to VERY difficult. As he says, it depends on his mood. Oh, and by the way, he may give off plus points for tasks that you succeed to do (ANY task, I mean. E.g. wearing a skirt and a tube) and usually, if not always, gives off exemption problems.

Grade Expectation: Well, a Math genius would always be a Math genius so if you ARE one, despite his unique strategy, a glistening ONE is possible. Well, I'm not that's why I found the subject hard but nevertheless, passable. Remember, MATH is PRACTICE!

I RECOMMEND him. J

Subject: Biology 1

Professor: Mrs. Sonia Jacinto (1^st half) / Mr. Perry Ong (2^nd half)

Grade Basis: Well, expect a reaction paper at least, two long tests, a group presentation, latest biological breakthrough reports (although in our class, I don't think anyone even submitted) and the Final Exam (optional). ATTENDANCE IS A MUST! (get it?)

Class Description: I LOVED this class. You can do anything you like. I mean ANYTHING. This is a large class so you won't be noticed if you don't want to be noticed. The 1^st half is a bit boring but still tolerable, you just have to jot a bit but if you're lazy to do so, worry not because Mrs. Jacinto provides a print out of her powerpoint presentations. The 2^nd half is lively. I loved this professor. I've learned so much from him. Just LISTEN to his lectures and I'm sure you'll pass. If you happen to forget things, he provides copies of his powerpoint presentations in the site http://uvle.up.edu.ph .

Grade Expectation: Well, I got a 2.0 without even studying HARD like everyone else did so you may expect a grade between 1.0 to 1.75 if you're a hard worker. If you happen to get a PASS grade, don't attempt to take the FINAL exam if you're not a genius. Another piece of advice: just LISTEN, LISTEN, And LISTEN!

I RECOMMEND them. J

Subject: Kasaysayan 2

Professor: Mrs. Alma Bamero

Grade Basis: Two Long Exams.

Class Description: Her class is plain but nevertheless interesting. She's the only History professor who doesn't require her students to make term papers and report things. She'll do all the rest. All you have to do is JOT DOWN NOTES. Her history is pretty much UPDATED so most History textbooks don't have them. You may feel sleepy, but be warned not to. :p Also, she checks attendance so always be present and avoid being late as well. She counts them.

Grade Expectation: Her tests are objective type so it's pretty much like telling a DETAILED story. I failed the first long exam because I failed to tell all the details needed but I know that of all the Kasaysayan courses out there, hers is the easiest to pass.

I RECOMMEND her. J

Subject: English 1

Professor: Mr. Arnel Galang

Grade Basis: Short Essays, Recitation, Two Major Papers and Final Exam.

Class Description: I simply hate English 1 but let's me be fair. His class is a scary one. He's O.C! AVOID, as in capital A-V-O-I-D tardiness. I almost failed to take the Final Exam. I was late by about eight minutes. He assigns specimen texts and analytic texts. Every class time, you should prepare AT LEAST three CRITICAL questions about those. Fail to do so, and you'd be immediately sent out of the room. Also, always bring a dictionary. He randomly calls people for recitation and HAS HIGH GRADING SYSTEM.

Grade Expectation: If you're an English wiz, you could expect a 2.0 or even a flat 1. However, if not, you should expect a grade between 3.0 or 5.0. His grades are just too high. His flat 1 would require a rating of 97 or better. IMAGINE.

I WON'T RECOMMEND him unless you're good because if you are, I know he would be able to unleash the beast in you. :>

Subject: Philosophy 1

Professor: Mr. Jerwin Agpaoa

Grade Basis: Presence, Group works, random works, midterms.

Class Description: This IS my favorite class. I mean, you won't be stressed about whether you would pass or not. THIS SUBJECT IS a sure pass unless you do something that won't let you to do so. Additional to that, this subject is FUN. The greatest thing about the subject is... NO FINALS!

Grade Expectation: Well, expect a grade of 2.0 or higher. J

I ULTIMATELY RECOMMEND him. J

Subject: P.E. 2 (Basketball, Men)

Professor: Mr. Edwin Barber

Grade Basis: Tickets (UAAP games of UP, Cheerdance, etc.) and the interclass tournament

Class Description: I LOVE Basketball even though I'm not good at it. If you love it as well, then this class is a must. The prof. is kind enough to understand the weaklings (like me) in the said sport.

Grade Expectation: At least a 2.0 or higher. It's a sure pass. ^_^

I DO RECOMMEND this for those who like Basketball (whether you're good at it or not). J

Credits: Thank you, Mico Subosa for the style. I hope you don't mind.

            The clock ticked and ticked and I can't seem to go to sleep. I was looking blankly at the ceiling of my room. Devoured by darkness, I looked at my watch and it's already 2:30 in the morning. The rain sang in a gentle sound outside my room. I decided to sit up and plug my earphones. I turned my iPod on and pressed play.

            "A strangled smile fell from your face. It kills me that I hurt you this way. The worst part is that I didn't even know..."

            A scene flashed as I close my eyes. I was sitting in a jeepney, looking at the perfect feature of the girl beside me. She tried to avoid my eyes and instead stared outside. I asked her if there's something wrong, but she just shook her head. When it was time to bid farewell, she gave me a smile and waved goodbye.

            "Now there's a million reasons for you to go but if you can find a reason to stay..."

            The scene disappeared into nothingness and I found myself back into my dark room. I looked for my cellular phone and when I finally found it, I browsed my saved messages and found one of hers. It was the message she sent to me saying she wants to break up with me. I stared at it for a minute or so, trying to comprehend the things that happened to us.

            "I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around. I know what's at stake. I know that I've let you down..."

            I made myself believe that it was my mother's fault. She texted the girl that I loved the most, saying that it was because of her that I became the black sheep of our family. It must have hurt my girl so much that's why she chose to break up with me although we loved each other. She was forced to be crucified because of the sins she didn't even commit. "It's my mother's fault! Why can't she understand my feelings for that girl? Why?" I blamed my mother. It even reached the point where I cussed her because of anger. However, just now, I found out that it's not my mother's fault. It was mine all along.

            "And if you give me a chance and believe that I can change, I'll keep us together whatever it takes..."

            I had been too honest. I didn't know back then that too much honesty would bring catastrophic consequences. I told my parents that I loved this girl. However, because our religion doesn't allow us to have relationships with those who don't have the same faith as us, my mother didn't like my girl. It fumed me so much because we've got everything planned back then. Or so I thought. I've become grumpy with my mother, been too honest to her about how I really feel and it might have offended her because it would seem that I would choose my girl over her. It was true though. We always fought especially when my girl's name was involved. Who wouldn't stand up for the one we love the most when he/she is getting offended by other people? If only I hadn't been cantankerous... If only I hadn't been too honest on how I feel... If only I hadn't told my parents about her...

            "But do you remember the time I told you the way that I felt? That I'd be lost without you and never find myself?"

            A tear fell from my face. I tried to wipe it out but the tears just fell one after the other. I succumbed to my loneliness asking myself: "Wouldn't we still be together if it hadn't been for my flaw? Wouldn't we still be laughing together and spending time together if it hadn't been for me?"

            "I'll do whatever it takes..."

            I continued to blame myself. I stared at the ceiling, tears still flowing on my cheeks...

            "And if you give me a chance..."

            "She's gone," I told myself. She won't be back. I would just be a part of her memory, a bad one that she would later on forget. I will just be a dream turned into a nightmare for her.

            "I'll keep us together whatever it takes..."

            I calmed myself down and wiped my tears away. The song ended at that moment but I decided to play it back and minimized the volume. I closed my eyes and talked to God. I prayed, telling Him everything that I feel, asking Him if anything would have change if I had been flawless. As I open my eyes again, I feel the pain fading away. I looked at my watch for the second time and it was already 5:20 in the morning. I looked outside the windows. The sun was about to shine any minute now.

            "... whatever it takes."

            The song just ended again. I wasn't aware how many times I played it back. I decided to turn my iPod off and stood up. I fixed my bed and realized that it's just another day where I'm stuck between times - that past and this present.

            (I would like to thank Ms. Arianne Balaoing for allowing me to use her style on this essay and for editing this. Thanks Ianne! :D)

            Ok. It's been while since I posted something. I was lazy. Sorry. Anyway, my life is the same so far. Nothing changed.

I'll just share the things memorable to me:

•I.        I got a + 60 points for the 5^th long exam! An instant pass!!!

•II.     I gave a birthday card for the person dearest to me.

•III.   Storm Ondoy destroyed lives.

•I.   + 60 points for Math 17 5^th long exam

So our professor decided to give us a + 60 points (for a reason I know not.) if and only if: the guy wears a tube plus a skirt and the girl wears a wedding gown. Well, if we do wear what the prof. told us to, it would make us look desperate... WELL, I AM A BIT DESPERATE!!! God, a once in a lifetime + 60 dude! An instant pass!!! Who cares about being desperate?

Well, I'm still a bit shy despite my desperation, so I told myself I wouldn't wear it if they won't as well.

Driven by desperation, I asked a friend/classmate of mine, if he would be desperate enough to wear the tube plus the skirt. Well, at first, he DIDN'T want to, but I managed to persuade him. So I decided to be desperate.

I told my parents that I need a tube plus a skirt (my father didn't react violently because of the additional points... he knows I need it that much.) but UNFORTUNATELY, there was no tube that would fit me. :| "Oh no... My 60 points," I told myself >_<

When I arrived at the room, the friend I talked to last night already holds the skirt and told me he's going to make a tube out of another skirt (it was a good idea.) and luckily for me, his block mate was kind enough to lend me two skirts. Some of the girls also wore wedding gowns. We, the "desperates", were the ones whom sir asked to solve the problems he had that day for the class.

It was worth it. After all, it WAS 60 points.

•II.     A Weird Birthday Present

         Last Thursday, I decided to follow a friend's advice on what to give the person dearest to me: A birthday card.

         I asked another friend to accompany me in the National Bookstore to buy a card. When we arrived, we immediately went to the corner where the cards were. When I picked this one card, I liked the cover, the message on the cover, as well as the message of the card itself. It was as if it was really meant for her. When I tried to look for another one, I noticed something: the card that I liked was the only one left! I tried hard to find another one, but there was really no other. It was weird. It was as if the card was telling me: "Pick me! Pick me! I'm meant for her." And so I bought the card.

         When the next day arrived, I finally wrote a message in the card. However, I received a text message that she wasn't around! "OMG! What am I going to do? Grrr... Don't tell me this card is going to be put in the garbage bin..." I told myself. Despite this, I still decided to go to school and pursue my original plan: let her friend give the card to her.

         Well, everything turned out well. I received a text from her friend that she was in the stage and so I gave the card to her friend when I arrived at the school. She accepted it and I just hoped she liked her birthday present.

•III.   Catastrophe: Storm Ondoy

On the day of her birthday, a catastrophe happened: the storm Ondoy showed its wrath. It made some of the areas of Luzon like a big swimming pool.

It was devastating. With just THREE hours... JUST THREE hours... the water already engulfed some of the areas in Central Luzon. The people crying for help were really heart-breaking... Many died... and most of the properties of people who managed to survive were eaten by mud.

We were lucky our house was located in a slope, making it hard to be flooded... Let's all pray for the safety of all of us. It's the simplest but always the most effective.

"TRUE LOVE doesn't and shouldn't end in happy endings because... TRUE LOVE doesn't and shouldn't end."