Summer OJT

I'm slightly having a hard time looking for architectural firms that accepts trainees for my first ever summer on-the-job training. Some of my block mates are taking this one week break as an opportunity in finding their prospective firms/companies.

We're all scrambling in submitting our letter of inquiries, application and resumes, but so far I haven't found one. Just felt like I'm really running out of time. *sigh*

MadMusic#017: Likhain Mong Muli

Tear-jerker song of Lent. Can't get enough of this. Am dying to learn the tenor part :)

Ilikha mo kami ng 'sang bagong puso;
Hugasan ang kamay na basa ng dugo;
Linisin ang diwang sa halay ay puno;
Ilikha mo kami ng 'sang bagong puso.

Itindig mo kami, kami'ng iyong bansa;
Akayin sa landas patungo sa kapwa;
Ihatid sa piging na 'yong inihanda;
Itindig mo kami, kami'ng iyong bansa.

Amang Dyos, 'yong baguhin ang tao't daigdig;
Sa banal na takot nanginginig;
Ibalik ang puso't bayang nanlalamig;
Likhain 'mong muli kami sa pag-ibig.

Goodbye MTV Philippines

Have you already noticed the music channel that's been missing in cable TV for about a while?

Last February 15, MTV Philippines played one last video - 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by the Buggles - then the screen went dark. It was the channel's final broadcast ending over 9 years of music on the tube. Goodbye MTV. Goodbye... ;(

Spicy Chao Fan Memories: The Sequel?

And don't get me started on that picture of my feet.

Looking back, it was summer two years ago when I was urged by my father to run for the position of SK Chairman in our barangay. It gives me the creeps and as well as the laughs remembering those times I went through all that campaign shenanigans, including ringing the doorbells of those kids in rich neighborhoods parading my name all over the place and sticking posters of my over-magnified face on every living tree in our community. Click fast-forward to the present and I realize it is a laughing matter no more.

During the two days my group mates and I worked on that Design plates at home, we chance upon eating lunch with my father and ended up talking about candidates and party lists for the upcoming May elections. I thought I was experiencing a major déjà vu when he started implying again in front of my friends that I run for the position of Kagawad, this time replacing him in the office since this is his last term of service.


I consider my loss over the position SK Chairman two years ago as a blessing because I was saved from a community-sized responsibility (that almost seemed gargantuan for my average 16-year old mind at the time) of standing as a youth leader. I just can't believe I'm going through this all over again carrying bigger expectations from dad, and heavier future responsibilities

I don't know what to do. And I'm scared of what might become of me after all that.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lenten Season for the Church. I voluntarily received the ash in my forehead as a sign of my repentance and sorrow over my sins. I was surprised at the number of parishioners who attended mass that evening. The church was almost full to the brim that there were no seats left for us arriving ten minutes late after my intense decision-making session whether to attend our most important choir rehearsal (this is in preparation for the new songs of Lent), or to stay at home with some group mates cramming up late to finish our final (!?) plate in Design.

I ended up choosing the latter only to find out the next day that the submission was moved to the second week of March. It was irritating having sacrificed choir rehearsals for nothing (well, not really.) and at the same time relieving since that gives us enough time to improve on our work.

We were completely beat after that two intensive days of non-stop drafting and rendering. But I'm quite glad, in fact, to work on our brains and creative juices like that because it keeps my mind focused on what really matters. Strange but I can almost look at it as a form of prayer. It's as if you feel that you were really cut out for that kind of purpose.

Having failed to prepare for the Lord's coming during the season of Advent and as well as a form of my sorrow, today I acknowledge that I am broken, sick, and sinful. That there is an intense need for me to be restored.

Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me O God.

Humble Handkerchief

We participated in a Healing Mass in our parish together with the parish contemplative prayer group to celebrate my sister's 8th birthday. I needed to freshen up and I figured this kind of thing is what I needed. Through the mass, I stared at my white handkerchief and remembered one homily of a priest about its humble characteristics. Who knew a mere piece of cloth that sits inside our pockets all the time could have had so many functions whenever needed? And for sure, I know a lot of people who can't get out of their houses with this piece of cloth missing in the picture.

With teardrops welling on both eyes, I prayed that He make me a humble heart to see what a wreck I've become, to realize the gravity of my sins and to keep me by all means from turning away from Him.

I sat there in muted sobs trying not to distract my brother who sits just beside me. And it was in this point that without even thinking, I saw myself reaching for my humble handkerchief and drying my tearful eyes with it...*sigh*

Highway

5.30 AM. With a stack of newspapers pressed against my chest held by both arms, I trudged quietly along the paved sidewalks of Quezon Avenue, sensing every cold breathe that I take and listening to every beat that my tired heart makes. As I make my way to the usual destination, I looked ahead on the horizon and noticed the majestic view of the sun rising at the end of the road in full contrast to the dark night sky and the bright waning quarter moon slowly disappearing on my back. The streetscape, bathed in warm tints of orange from those tall streetlights and multitude headlights from passing cars, made a lasting impression on my mind.

But like those busy cars speeding their way through time, I wonder what the rest of the world is in so much hurry about. I stared blankly at the raging highway waiting and hoping to see them stop, even for just a short while to appreciate the change of hues in the sky, but they never did. They never did.