Usapang Peyups

Andrew is such a loser, he's answering this survey. Wahahaha.

Yikes, it has been two years since my graduation. I'm getting old!

1. Student number?

- 2002-36517

2. College?

- College of Science

3. Ano ang course mo?

- BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (actuallly, it's BS MBB, which stands for BS Molecular Biology and Banking)

4. Na-kickout ka ba?

- Nope. Ulirang estudyante. Hehe.

5. Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT?

- Sa probinsya!

6. Favorite GE subject?

- South East Asian Studies. Cool yung topics and the teachers were good. And walang pressure. Uno-able.

7. Favorite PE?

- Skin diving with Sir Mencias! The best! Took it in my second semester when I was first year. Tagal na nun!

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot girls sa UP?

- I have to say most of them are in Econ and BA. Some are in AS. But I don't usually go sight-seeing. Haha.

9. Favorite prof(s):

- Sino pa, di yung thesis adviser ko na si Dr. Cynthia Saloma. She's a terror at sobrang tindi sa class at sa lab. But she's the best mentor one can have in MBB. Sadly I can't apply my molecular biology in Citibank. But at least, I developed the attitude to be competitive and to learn things fast.

10. Pinaka-ayaw na GE subject?

- Geog 1. I was absent more than six times at late. La kong masyading natutunan. Pero uno-able sobra.

11. Kumuha ka ba ng Wed or Sat classes?

- Yep. P.E during my first two years. But di na nung third and fourth year since I was already working on my thesis. Geek.

12. Nakapag-field trip ka ba?

- Once lang, sa South East Asian Studies. Guess where... in Binondo!

13. Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP?

- Yep.

14. Ano ang Org/Frat/Soro mo?

- PMHS (active at the start lang, second year yun), College of Science Student Council, at iba pang mga bagay-bagay

15. Saan ka tumatambay palagi?

- PMHS tambayan sa Owl's Nest, natutulog sa College of Science Student Council office, CS library para mag-aral at mag-power nap, laboratory sa MBB (geek), sa dorm ng mga kaibigan, sa mouse room ng MBB (ew)

16. Dorm, Boarding house, o Bahay?

- Tried all. I prefer the apartment. Mas may privacy.

17. Kung walang UPCAT test at malaya kang nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun?

- Economics or BAA. I was planning to shift but I found my blockmates fun and the things I'm learning in MBB exciting.

18. Sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala sa UP?

- My roommate. Yikes, I forgot his name na.

19. First play na napanood mo sa UP?

- Not in UP but in CCP with UPSA, it was Spoliarium.

20. Name the 5 most conyo orgs in UP:

- Haha. Baka papatayin ako ng mga kaibigan ko.

21. Name 5 of the coolest orgs/frats/soro in UP:

- Marami.

22. May frat/soro bang nag-recruit sa yo?

- Meron, but joining a frat was never among my priorities.

23. Saan ka madalas mag-lunch?

- Lutong-Bahay nung first year; take out sa CASAA nung second year; FA cafe (closed na ngayon), FA siomai stall, or baon nung third and fourth year. Madalas din ako nakikikain sa lab, dami kasi food sa LMCB. Haha.

24. Masaya ba sa UP?

- Super. Probably the most memorable four years of my life ever.

25. Nakasama ka na ba sa rally?

- Oo, once during my first year and I was staying in Kalayaan. We marched from UST to Mendiola. That was out of curiosity. That was my first and last.

26. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa Student Council?

- Three times. I needed to vote because I was candidate (but I lost nung fourth year, which was just fine).

27. Name at least 5 leftist groups in UP:

- There are some 'left-leaning' groups in UP. But I am never sure if they are truly leftists. Got friends there and they are nice people.

28. Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude nung freshman ka?

- Haha. Yep.

29. Kanino ka pinaka-patay sa UP?

- Wala. Haha.

30. Kung di ka UP, anong school ka?

- Ateneo de Manila University

Chasing pavements

In the few weeks that passed, all my days were in black and white. Well, not that I'm all gloomy and cold. I just felt weird that all I can appreciate is music. Reading, drawing, writing... I've taken a break from all these. Maybe because music - songs - express things one is not brave enough to tell. And music is always there with you no matter what stage in life or mood you are in - sad, happy, heartbroken, in love, struggling, homesick, daydreaming... take your pick.

Chasing Pavements (Adele)

i've up my mind
dont need to think it over
if im wrong i am right
dont need to look no further
this aint lust i know this is love

but if i tell the world
i'll never say enough
cos it was not said to you
and thats exactly what i need to do
if i end up with you

should i give up
or should i just keep chasing pavements
even if it leads no where,
or would it be a waste
even if i knew my place should i leave it there.
should i give up
or should i just keep chasing pavements
even if it leads nowhere

i promised not to talk about poltics...

The CBCP got it right this time. The bishops’ statement on our country’s looming political crisis upholds the constitution by respecting democracy’s due process and respecting the separation of the Church and the State. With it they did not only fulfill their duty as pastors of the people, but also gave a gentle reminder to everyone involved that they lay aside personal interests and put forward objectivity: to the politicians who, most often than not, are driven by partisan lines rather than principle, to the media which are prone to personal biases and sensationalism, to the people who are easily swayed by calls to put the constitution in their own hands.

I cannot argue enough that the CBCP echoes the sentiments of the silent majority, of the many hardworking employees of Makati alienated and inconvenienced by rallies held in the business district, of ambitious students in our universities learning all they can to become better citizens in the future, and of millions of other Filipinos in the provinces marginalized by Imperial Manila. All of these people want lasting change that will never and can never happen – as the EDSAs teach us – by simply unseating a president. True change happens when people uphold the law and strengthen national institutions. This means that law-breakers are tried in courts, not in the streets.

The challenge for everyone amidst this crisis is to act with common sense; that is, to assume an objective outlook on the issue, to look beyond political biases, and consider some lessons in history before taking things in our own hands. It is worthwhile asking ourselves “Is another EDSA going to change anything?”

Not much really. In the same way as cancer is not successfully treated with one dose of medicine and a weak body, rooting out corruption and promoting transparency require strengthening democratic institutions and call for a change in people's attitudes - especially among our leaders.

One egregious figue in yesterday's rally in Makati is that Erap was there. Wait, was he the president ousted seven years ago by EDSA 2? Talk about politics.