Dindin with the Inocians...

I swear I love Facebook. I love the Internet. I love Facebook.

Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and his team of geniuses, I was able to reconnect with classmates from grade school, my altar boy days barkada, and my college friends.

Not to be mushy, but most of the friends I have made in UP are the most important people in my life, or at least people I really care about. Usually, we hear people say that friends for life are found during high school. Not for me. It was during college. It was at the University I will always love.

And thanks to Facebook, I was able to find treasured friends.

Last night, Tey and I met up with a blockmate whom we haven't seen for the longest time - Tsin. She was our classmate for only a semester, but that one semester was more than enough to cement our friendship for a lifetime. Haha! Mushy!

Anyway, the reason why Tey and I met up with Tsin was because another classmate (and another friend I love to death), Charmy, saw some of the dresses Tsin is selling and wanted to buy a few pieces. Thanks to Facebook (again!), Charmy, who is now based in the US, was able to easily contact me and ask me to get the dresses for her from Tsin. A couple of phone calls, mouse clicks, and taps on my phone keypad, the meetup was scheduled.

I can't remember the last time I saw Tsin. My last recollection of seeing her was at the College of Fine Arts canteen a million years ago. So again, thank you, Facebook, for reconnecting UP Manila’s Orcom Block 11 Batch 2000 once again.

We met up at BHS, and headed to Friday's. Her husband, JC, joined us for dindin. I thought they’d bring the adorable kiddies with them. Saw some of pics of the kids and they’re really adorable!

For a couple of hours, we just talked about college and our classmates, and what's been happening with each other's lives. Definitely good dindin time.

Later tonight, I have to bring the dresses to Charmy's house. Her Dad and sister fly to the US tomorrow. I have to pass by Via to get one of the dresses, since Tsin wasn’t able to bring it with her.

Lagare ito. Haha! But I’m really happy because I get to keep in touch with my UP gang.

V-Day with people who love what I also love...

VDay was spent with individuals who taught me everything I know about volunteerism now.

Early this year, friend Marian sent an invite via Facebook to Pahinungod volunteers for a get-together at Dr. Menchit Padilla's house. I didn't reply to the message because I knew how erratic my schedule could be sometimes, but I followed the thread of the message. Several Pahinungods replied saying they were going to attend the get-together. That made the simple event something to look forward to since most of the people who said they were attending are people I haven't seen for a long time.

Fast forward to yesterday, the day of the get-together. I met up with Marian at Robinson's Galleria. I got her text that we would all meet up first at Galleria before heading to Dr. Padilla's house. Kamusta naman?! 11AM. It was just me and her. 1130AM. It still was just me and her. Hahaha! Many of those who said yes backed out. While the others already decided to go straight to Dr. Padilla's house.

A little waiting at Dr. Padilla's wonderful home and the cast was complete. I wasn't surprised with the attendees. They were the usual suspects. Hehe! Except for Andy who I haven't seen for a long time, everyone present were people I just saw at Marian's birthday. Hehe! It's always fun to see the group though because a good story exchange always happens. (and because when I’m with Pahinungod people, I am always reminded of how I love volunteering, and how I fell in love with volunteering years ago.)

Yesterday afternoon, the topic was mostly about the recent dramarama episodes of PGH. Obviously, I'm not familiar with what's happening at my former workplace but the stories I managed to hear are "good" enough to be made into a TV series. It'll beat any even the best eps of Grey's Anatomy. Hahaha!

Other than the PGH drama, we spent a good time catching up, talking about former Pahinungod volunteers. It was also nice to see Dr. Padilla outside of the office setting. Yesterday, she was more like Nigella Lawson and not Dr. Bailey. We rarely see that.

Dr. Padilla is one of the country's pioneers in genetics. Did you know that there are only seven (!!!) geneticists in the country??? One of them is Dr. Padilla. And she has done so much in that field.

A lot of Pahinungods look up to her and see her as an inspiration. She's just always full of contagious energy and ideas. Working for her is toxic. You don't know toxic until you've worked for CDP. But it's the good kind of toxic. Seriously, I can’t remember any conversation with CDP where I didn’t leave inspired and bursting with enthusiasm.

It was a good get-together on the day of hearts and love. I didn't have a date, but I did have a nice get-together with people I love because we all share the same love for one thing we really love – volunteering.

Saturday with the kids and the Pahinungod gang...

Weekend was quite full.

Saturday, I returned to the place which taught me everything I know about volunteerism today - Ugnayan ng Pahinungod - in my university.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a text message from the program coordinator of the streetkids program asking whether I was free to host the activity. Saying yes to these guys isn't difficult, but because of how erratic my schedule could be sometimes, I just told them to make me a last resort.

The event was a dance interpretation contest of the epic The Maiden of the Buhong Sky. O ha! I didn't even know that epic existed. When I asked what it was, one of the volunteers gave me a thick book entitled Epics and in it were several Philippine epics which probably date back to the time I dunno when. Our culture really is rich, huh.

Going back to the contest, four streetkids institutions were competing - Kaibigan Outreach, Childhope Asia, Tuklasan-ERDA and Bahay Musika. I'm familiar with the first two instis. The last two are new to me. Also present to give intermission numbers were YWCA, Sabana-ERDA and Kanlungan sa Er-Ma.

I've worked with these institutions before, but the closest to my heart is YWCA. I worked with the kids several years ago for a dance competition and we won 1st runner-up. Not bad considering their instructors did not have an idea what they were doing. After that contest, I would celebrate my birthday with the kids and my friends. It sort of became a tradition. Been doing it for four years now. I only missed this year because of Ondoy, Pepeng and the trip abroad.

Anyway, the program went well. One insti presented what looked like a skit of the epic. The next insti did an all-dance presentation. Another insti did a combo of a choral recitation and dance, and the final insti did a skit and dance performance.

In addition to the skillful performances, the costumes were also nice. Each insti had their own colorful props and creative costumes.Who says limited resources can stop these kids from having a full-on performance?

After the first performance, I knew that all the others would be just as good. In fact, the performances were really superb that there was a tie between two instis and the judges had to step out of the venue to have a somewhat lengthy discussion.

While the judges conferred, the other instis entertained the audience with dance numbers. The ones that got the biggest applause were the "Eh Eh Eh" and "Nobody." Naturally. If there's one more thing I've noticed about these kids and the instis, it's how knowledgeable they are of the latest "it" songs. I remember that before it used to be Spaghetting Pababa, and then there was Ocho Ocho. Nyerks, I'm getting old. Haha!

Once the intermission numbers were done, the most awaited moment arrived. Kaibigan Outreach emerged as the champion. What was notable though was that all the kids were extremely happy once their instis were called, unmindful of whether they were the 4th placer or the champion. Kids really are different.

In the evening, I joined the Pahinungod gang for the birthday celebration of Marian. We went to this restau near her house and had a good dinner, followed by karaoke and some beer. Really good pre-gimik gimik. Hehe! I was having a great time with my fellow volunteers, but I had to go ahead and head home to change for Malate. It was a night of celebration. It was the day of Pride March after all. Woohoo!

The Faura people get-together...

Finally, the get-together with Len and Faura friends pushed through.

It was supposed to be last Friday, but because of the rain and crazy schedules of people we had to resched.

Thank heavens and Mr. Manalo that Monday was declared a holiday so that gave us an opportunity to see our dear friend who'll be leaving again for Oz in a week.

The get-together was arranged as early as Saturday. I messaged Ella to ask her about work-related stuff and that led to me messaging other blockmates to tell them about the hang out with Len.

Fast forward to Monday afternoon, there in that really nice restaurant Fely J's at Greenbelt 5, a bunch of people who crossed paths with each other back in 1996 spent several hours catching up.

Present were Lovelynn, Thea, John, Ella and hubby Raymund (also our batchmate from UP) and of course, our balikbayan friend Len. Rey later joined us. No shows were Leah and Christy.

Over fantastic Filipino lunch, we talked about almost everything - college days, relationships, kids (my gosh, kids!), our classmates. It was my longest late lunch I think - four hours. Hahaha! Good thing Fely J's wasn't that crowded in the late afternoon.

Btw, it was my first time to dine there and I must say the food's really, really good. I particularly liked the dilis rice, the spring rolls, the Thai chicken curry, and the tequila chocolate cake. Yum!

From Fely J's, we walked to nearby Chili's to continue with the chismax. We got a pitcher of strawberry mango margarita (which is really great) and carried on with the stories.

The group parted ways around 9PM. I'm not sure when the next get-together with people from Orcom block 11 of 1996 would be, but I hope it would be very soon.

Maybe another classmate from abroad will be in town. Hehehe!

Flying out of Manila again...

This afternoon, I'm flying out of Manila once again. And this time, destination is Cebu. Will be attending a company event so it'll be work again. I guess that's okay. At least, I get to travel. Hehe! It's my first time to go to Cebu so I'm quite excited. I'm also not too worried about the work because I'm quite sure it wouldn't be as toxic as the Dinagyang Festival coverage. But hey, who knows? Hahaha!

Wow! It's only the first month of the year and already I've flown out of Manila for two (going three) times. Hmmm... I guess it's a good sign, huh? That the Ho Chi Minh and Cambodia trip will push through? Hehehe! It has to. It has to. It has to.

Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas...

My beloved university is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year and I just feel so, so proud to have been part of that venerable educational institution. My stay at the University of the Philippine will be written down as some of the best years of my life.

Anyway, found this survey for UP people circulating in the emails. And since I'm such a sucker for answering surveys... Hahaha!

Happy Centennial UP Beloved! :)

1. Student number? 96-15353

2. College? College of Arts and Sciences

3. Ano ang course mo [What did you major in]? Organizational Communication

4. Nag-shift ka ba o na-kick out [Did you shift majors/courses or were you a kicked out of your College]? Nope, OrCom from first year to senior year. I was a good boy.

5. Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT [Where did you take your entrance examination]? Palma Hall, UP Diliman

6. Favorite GE subject [General Education classes]? Hmmm... Comm III and Humanities II

7. Favorite PE? Eeep! Social Dance! Haha!

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot guys/girls sa UP [Where do you hang out to check out the hot babes/dudes]? Hehehe! College of Medicine? Haha!

9. Favorite prof(s) [Favorite Professors]? Lots - Dr. Angela Sarile, Prof. Honey Achanzar, Prof. LC Lee, Prof. Ronald Henson, Prof. Paeng Villar, Prof. Alice Adeva, Prof. Atilio Alicio, Prof. Dennis Millan, Prof. Nestor Jardin and Sid Hildawa, to name some.

10. Pinaka-ayaw na GE subject [Least favorite General Education class]? Nat Sci 1 and 2

11. Kumuha ka ba ng Saturday classes [Did you sign up for Saturday classes]? Yeah, I think so!

12. Nakapag-field trip ka ba [Did you join any field trips]? Yep, we did. STS.

13. Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP [Were you ever a College Scholar and or a University Scholar]? Yes, yes.

14. Ano ang org, frat/soro mo [What organization, fraternity/sorority did you join]? - OrComSoc

15. Dorm, boarding house, o bahay [Did you stay at a dorm, boarding house, or did you live at home during college]? Since university was "near" my house, I didn't have a chance to rent or live on my own. Boohooo!

16. Kung walang UPCAT test at malaya kang nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun [If you had your way, what was your dream course/major]? - Probably medicine or fine arts.

17. Sino-sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala sa UP [Who did you first meet in UP]? John Vera and Rey Castro. We were all together during registration.

18. First play na napanood mo sa UP? [First play you watched in UP?] Can't remember. Was it Lean the Musical?

19. Saan ka madalas mag-lunch? [Where did you usually have lunch?] Hmm, at the college canteen, at the Supreme Court, at Gary's, and when it opened, Robinson's.

20. Masaya ba sa UP? [Is it fun to go to UP?] Super! Best years of my life.

21 . Nakasama ka na ba sa rally? [Did you ever join a student rally/] Yes, once I think. You'd have to join at least one if you really want to be a true blue Isko. Haha!

22. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa Student Council? [How many times did you vote during Student Council elections?] Almost all. I was a good student, like I said. Hahaha!

23. Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude nung freshman ka? [Did you dream of graduating with honors when you were a freshman?] Uhm, no, but once I found out how it felt to be a CS or US, woohoooo!

24. Kung di ka UP, anong school ka? (If you didn't pass the UPCAT, which school would you have gone to?) UPCAT was the only college entrance exam I took. Not because I was that confident, but because I thought I had a "calling." So it was either UP or the seminary. Talk about extremes, huh? Hehe! Had I not passed, I was prepared to see it as a sign to enter the seminary. But I did pass and look what happened. Hahaha!

25. Have you ever made out in the Sunken Garden? Lagoon? Nope, it was too far from UP Manila. Hahaha!