My Athlete's Foot

Some side notes — I was trying to locate my Toastmasters Speeches in Facebook Notes from way back 2011 and for some reason, the notes themselves are very elusive. Was the Facebook notes section archived or deactivated? I was not even aware of this shift, really. In the meantime, I shall copy and paste whatever transcript that I can find.

--

This is my Basic Speech Project 5 for the El Presidente Toastmasters Club and my contest piece for the Division A contest (representing Area 5). I wasn't able to bring home the bacon, but at least (being a novice in this field) I enjoyed sharing the stage with the champions. The experience was exhilarating. The competition was stiff. The improvement was drastic (even Mama was surprised).

Hindi ako kinabahan when I delivered my speech. I just told myself - don't be intimidated, in the first place - you have your own story to tell - and to make them see the humor is an added bonus!

Ako si 
Ella, at ito ang aking kwento. Enjoy. 😀
--

Day in, day out – I still love my athlete’s foot. Eeew, right?!

Do you know why I love my Athlete’s foot?

Mister contest chair, Ladies and gentlemen - It all started one night. With bright stars in the sky, gentle breeze in the air, and! Lots of hunks along the street – it inspired me to do night jogging. And let me recommend – jog in the places where there are lots of hunk and babes, so that you will be stirred to get fit, and shop for the perfect mate!

I discovered this chance when I was jogging in the Fort Bonifacio High Street. Wow! So many hunks! My mind couldn’t focus on whom to look at first. Nevertheless, there was one particular Eduardo (the first name of a contestant in the same speech category) who approached me and said, “Hey”.

I replied, “Hi.” (whisper: Hi handsome!)

He asked, “May I join you in your jogging?”

“Sure.” (whisper OMG three times)

After a few minutes of jogging beside me, he asked, “Are you here with friends?”

“No. How about you? Are you here alone?”

“Yes I am. I have a condo over there. Would you like to see it?”

“Uh? Come again?”

He repeated, “Would you like to go over to my place?”

(Shriek for kilig)

“Of course!” (whisper for the record, I’m still a SSSB: Status Single Since Birth)

“Wait, let me adjust my shoes and socks, I need to air my athlete’s foot.”

Hearing that statement, he ran as fast as he could, away from me.

“Hey!” I called out, “I meant my foot as an athlete! NOT THE DISEASE!”

I felt bad. I got picked up at that moment. I could have a lovelife!

But, I also felt good. I didn’t know. I just sweat sexily...

The same discovery was made when I was jogging on a particular Sunday, on the same place and another guy approached me. This one is a bit old, but he’s tall and very handsome – like a GREEK GOD. We hit it off nicely and after jogging, we went shoe shopping for his athlete’s foot. There was a store called RUNNR with lots of you know (long pause) running shoes, and he would like to buy one.

During his test run, (Beeped like the 3310); I got a text message. As I was reading my message, this guy stared at it for a long time, surprise in his face. I asked quickly, “WHAT?” He said, “Nothing, I’m very impressed (long pause) with your cell phone.” (PAUSE)

“It’s very (LONG PAUSE) antique.”

HMP! (angry face) I ran off after we shopped, AND I NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN. (PAUSE)

Not that I care, A OLD, GREEK-GOD-LIKE, LOOKING DOWN ON MY JURASSIC CELL PHONE, HELLO! Isn’t he one?

Anyhow, with all the encounters of meeting my potential mate, I learn to love these feet. I learn to love jogging across the streets, and how these (show foot) seem to have a mind of its own, even this (touch forehead) mind does not. I love it when I project myself as a health-conscious girl determined to get fit.

And I love how my body projects as Pamela Anderson on the Baywatch! Ooh! (running across the stage) I am the sexy lifeguard in the Baywatch series (hand showing boobs).

With all these blessings from my athlete’s foot, I told myself, why not continue jogging? Why not continue to get fit from this? After all, we can say it’s officially summer; and I am determined to reach the 24 waistline – and complement the wonderful views of the beach, rather than to wreck it. I remember when I was younger; I posed in the shores of Batangas wearing my ultimate swimsuit. And when I saw the picture, Aahhh…perfect (wonderful sigh).

But two weeks ago when I saw myself in the shores of Baler wearing a tankini – AHH! (Shriek) OH MY GOSH! tsk tsk tsk…

I need to be sexy! Hmp, for your information, when I was in high school, I have the 24 waistline; I was in ultra-shape. But yesterday night, I heard my mom said,

“Anak, why don’t you run more to get yourself in shape?”

“Mom, I am in shape. Round is a shape? Isn’t it?”

I swore that I will improve, seeing my mom’s waist at 24. Seeing her bust size of 28, and I promised this frontal asset that I CAN DO BETTER.

That is why, I JOG!

And I urge to do the same. Discovery the views. Explore the hunks. Love - your athlete’s foot.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we see life, it’s like a long street to jog. With focus to your goal, with faith to your ability, and with fervor to your feet, I believe you will attain the ultra-shape. It doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the track, or last. Once you reached that finish line, AAAHH!!! (shout) “I did it”.

Just don’t forget, love your athlete’s foot; because with bright stars in the sky, gentle breeze in the air, and Hunks along the street, love life is just around the corner. Mister Contest Chair!

--

(inputted in Facebook at 03 April 2011. A video was included as my piece in the District A Competition in Toastmasters)

Politics and Involvement

Some side notes — I was trying to locate my Toastmasters Speeches in Facebook Notes from way back 2011 and for some reason, the notes themselves are very elusive. Was the Facebook notes section archived or deactivated? I was not even aware of this shift, really. In the meantime, I shall copy and paste whatever transcript that I can find.

--

[Kindly permit me for expressing my insights here. I apologize if this would bring a negative effect on your part, but this Facebook note is meant to create a positive ripple effect. Anyway, this is still my personal space. Many thanks.]

--

Being a public servant requires passion. Passion to serve, passion to please, passion to touch peoples lives.

Today is the enrollment of the PUP-MBA Students. And being an officer, we are tasked to be the "Action Team" to assist the members. Being the most "bibo" workforce in the team, I was assigned to be one of the "frontliners" for addressing the various concerns of the enrollees.

Implementing internal controls is one of the mandates of an auditor. One of the parameters for accommodating the validation of the pre-registration of the students (AKA the "tagging") is giving them numbers, which the auditor retrieve their pre-registration forms, seeing to it that he/she has already paid the membership fee (In the PUP Student Handbook, as far as I can remember, it is only the STUDENT OFFICERS who have the authority to collect membership fees from the students, and NO OTHER GOVERNING BODY shall exercise this authority. Please note that the MBA Society gives temporary receipts to the MBA Program Chair because it is still the Officers that will issue official receipts). Syempre, one of my assignments is to promote hospitality of the society and promulgating strict compliance to the rules.

Before I get to the point, I would like to apologize for overlooking some details, for not taking the actions ahead of time, and for not informing you beforehand of the "hold-up". Also, apologies for not listening to some, not attending to some queries, and not taking action for those questions that require exercising and EXCEEDING (taken as one) my authority.

-Okay eto na-

Wala namang nakalagay na steps. Ambagal naman ng pila. Wala namang upuan. Ang init! ---- These are some of the statements I've heard from the enrollees. But this is one of the most remarkable comments today:

Girl: Magkano? (Talking to an officer issuing MBA Soc receipts and to an officer who shall certify the payment)

Officer A: Php150 po.

Girl: Ano ba yan? Ang mahal mahal naman! Wala naman akong napapala rito! (i dunno if this is paraphrased or the exact statement)

Officer A: (Badtrip, but keeping the lighter side, smiled and faced her with flair and grace)

Hi MBA member. ^

Php150 is still money, I will not question that. But the accusation of having no benefits at all is a big accusation. I will not disclose our projects here as discussed with my principals (aka the ExeCom), but let me tell you some things:

There are seminars brought to you by the Predecessors. Magkano? LIBRE. May bayad pa bang additional? WALA. May pagkain? SOBRA. May students ba from other programs attending the same? MARAMI, pero HINDI mo ramdam kasi LIBRE rin sila. AT MAY CERTIFICATE KA PA - idagdag mo as part of your credentials. Take a good look at the other programs, SOME OF WHICH, ARE REQUIRING US TO ATTEND, as directed by the DEAN AND / OR PROGRAM CHAIR. May bayad? PHP 50 - PHP 100.

May outreach programs - advocating development not only on our personal aspect, but also for the welfare of the others. MALIIT man ang naibibigay mo, it has reached lots of people's lives.

May official publication. May official social networks. May official correspondence. Everything has been established for the officers to keep in touch with the members.

The predecessors are reporting all of these to you.

But did you listen? Did you at least take a glimpse at the reports? Did you at least respond to their narrations?

Please do me a favor. Get yourself involved. We have plans and programs, we have advocacies. We have passion and purpose to do these things. All you need to do is to get involved. Involve by joining the facebook and yahoo groups account. Invite classmates and encourage professors to attend our proposed seminars. Entice people to donate and volunteer to welfare programs. Contribute articles to the official publication. Yun lang.

Sa tingin mo nakakapagod? Hindi naman ah. Involvement is one of the aspects to make organizations improve. All you have to do is to make us feel your presence. Malaking pa-sweldo mo na sa mga Officers yun (i.e. boosting our morale). Iin the first place, the Officers are volunteers - Public Servants.

With your involvement, it will stir our passion to serve and to please - and the positive ripple effect will continue. Inspire us by getting yourself immersed in our goals. Hindi naman mahirap yun - all you have to do is to awake your sleeping devotion. Yun lang naman. :)

Kaya mo yan sistah! gisingin ang natutulog mong pakialamera. :D

--

(inputted in Facebook Notes at 23 October 2010)

The Last Sunday Class I Remembered

Some side notes — I was trying to locate my Toastmasters Speeches in Facebook Notes from way back 2011 and for some reason, the notes themselves are very elusive. Was the Facebook notes section archived or deactivated? I was not even aware of this shift, really. In the meantime, I shall copy and paste whatever transcript that I can find.

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(PUP Graduate School MBA, Summer 2011)

It was the last Sunday class for the summer.

I woke up late. Stupid me – staying up late last night doodling stuff at my Facebook profile, keeping myself updated to the social networking world.

I couldn’t think clearly during the breakfast, except for that I am late, and the professor will mock me over and over like he did the previous five Sunday class – good thing that this is the last class with him as my professor.

I grabbed a shirt, grabbed pair of shorts, grabbed the running shoes – as if I am running through time.

It was fortunate moment that my father’s vehicle has gas and the driver is there (which is papa) to drive me to school. It was 7:30.

Written reports not yet printed. Oral Report not memorized. Laptop’s on low battery. Haggard, unfortunate, running.

-think-

I printed first the written reports – one of his requirements. Being the team leader of all the reports assigned to the group, which is I am the team leader for the past five Sundays – I am in charge for the consolidation and for the submission of it. Four reports, like four chapters in a book.

-done printing; time check 8:15-

Looking haggard and felt the unrest spirit in me, I rushed to the comfort room first – to be able to memorize the report that is assigned to our group, which then again, I was the leader. Looking in the mirror, I read all the points in the topic named Project Finance. Telling myself on the face of the mirror that I can deal with him – one last time.

-I can do this, I’m working in the government, so there is NO WAY that he will not ask a SINGLE QUESTION TO ME. I can do this, this is (in a way) relevant to the work. It just so happens that this is not within the job description-

Feeling relaxed while my hands are shaking and my heart is racing (the irony!) I finally went inside the room. Time check 8:30. Literally I am late. I’m late in his watch, as well as with everyone in the class. And with that, I still held my head up high and walked to the seat where my groupmates were. I’m late, I know. But in the mere fact that he’s there, I can’t give in. I would not let him see that I am weak.

-clueless-

What the hell? No Powerpoint presentation? All is on oral report, relaying to everyone not only the portion where you have memorized, but also all about the topic assigned to you. I was furious. I wanted to shout at him, but anyway it doesn’t matter – here’s still the ‘big man’, the star of his stage.

Since we are the second group to report, the first topic being discussed is in a blur. I can’t hear anything clearly. My hearing is impaired, my sight is disoriented, and my feeling is numb. I was nervous and furious at the same time.

The feeling of ‘disorientation’ continues until our oral presentation. I cannot remember what I have discussing to the class, or what are the specific questions that he pinpointed – all I can remember is the intensity of the discussion happened. I am mad on explaining and answering all his queries, and he’s enjoying it. I was making faces at him, and he (apparently) noticed them. I could not elaborate the topics our group has highlighted; however, I know that the class already felt the aura of the battling sides – on my end, as well as on his end.

What I remembered in the intensity of the discussion is his remark – although I was ‘disoriented’ at the moment (I like repeating the word disoriented – it makes me feel a little more idiot than the others, which is a good thing)

"You know class kasi she's good, and you know that she can talk.."

=teary-eyed every time I remember it=

--

Inputted on Facebook Notes last 09 June 2010

SSSB (for the record, it's Triple S - B)

Some side notes — I was trying to locate my Toastmasters Speeches in Facebook Notes from way back 2011 and for some reason, the notes themselves are very elusive. Was the Facebook notes section archived or deactivated? I was not even aware of this shift, really. In the meantime, I shall copy and paste whatever transcript that I can find.

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Note: This is my Basic Speech Project 4 for the BUTTER N' TOAST TOASTMASTERS CLUB. Thanks for the hospitality and allowing me to be your Guest Speaker (aka Training Ground for my Club Contest). It was a privilege to meet the TM of the PM - Sir Ed Ebreo, ACS (who maybe was a bit angry because I've got more HA-HAs than the host himself! hehehehe), Sir, saludo ako at nakilala kita (sa blogsite kasi ko first nakita ang name mo). I am glad also to be "screened" by a Seasoned Toastmaster, DTM Pat Pascua. Thanks for the reinforcements - and don't forget - I'll be seeing you in the DISCON! (SELF-DECLARATION)

Oh yeah!!! Nakita ko run yung friend sa review school na si JM Guevarra! JM, join the association of the Public Speakers! Paramihin natin ang mga CPAs by Profession sa ganitong field! :) Magsama ka pa dali!! :)

The Butter N' Toast TMC conduct their meetings every 2nd and 4th Thursday Nights at the Makati Stock Exchange, Penthouse level, Activity Room A. I would encourage you to at least see the sights on how they conduct their events. 

For those who are not informed about this club, I joined the Toastmasters club last 04 November 2010 to hone my public speaking skills. I would like to encourage and to invite all of you guys to be a kibitzer to a Toastmasters Club Meeting. Ours (El Presidente) is done every first and third Thursday of the month, 7PM at Max's 2nd Floor Liberty Center, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City.

--

Good evening, fellow toastmasters. 

Let me give you a itsy-bitsy information that would either make or break you: 27 days has passed since New Year’s Eve; 7 days before Chinese New Year (mouths Keung Hee Huang Chai) – and 18 days to go before Valentine’s Day! Weeh! (ironic tone of excitement)

If you are single, then Valentine's Day may not be your favorite time of the year. Seeing couples, young and old, celebrating their love for each other can make you a bit envious. At my age, some of my friends are just starting to look for their respective dates for the V-Day; some are starting to look for their soul mate for life. Some are thinking of settling down while some are just starting to bring the house down.

(Audience did not laugh, dead air for three seconds)

Oh, the jokes on me then! (ad lib)

(Audience laughed)

As for me, I am still a SSSB. What’s a SSSB? It’s

STATUS: SINGLE SINCE BIRTH!

Any other brave soul who belongs to this club? Come on, don’t be shy!

(If someone raises, congratulate; if none, say, OH SAD! The joke is on me then)

Luckily, for the fun of the night, TM Ton and TM Alvin raised their hands, ALTHOUGH EVERYONE knew they are definitely in a relationship!

Given that I am a SSSB, Should I be frantic? Should I panic? Should I feel pressure? Should I feel unsure? Or Should I feel none of the above? If I say “I am as happy as the sunflower smiling to the serene sunshine”, would you believe it? (laughter from the audience) If I say “It’s a nightmarish nightmare gnarling over my weepy heart”, would you second it?

So the million dollar question now is how should a SSSB handle the situation? Let me share a secret with you! This secret would not only be the answer to your questions, but will also help you get through the day when all you can see are pink and red! This secret would change your SSSB life forever. This is a powerful tool that would make you see things in a different light. And it will only cost you five words! Listen closely:

IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

(Audience, in their faces said "WHAT?")

I just told you, Ladies and Gentlemen – It’s all in your head!

It’s all in your thoughts.

It’s all about the way you think and the way you see things.

It’s all about perspective.

Whenever you start internalizing, it is slowly going to the visualizing stage, and then you go actualizing it.

Last week, I attended as a guest in a Table Topics Contest. Yeah, I felt the blood racing and heart pumping hype during the program, but that’s another matter. What struck me is the table topic itself –

“Our language reveal our thoughts; our action reflect our character; our habits predict the future.”

So you might now be asking, “What does have to do with Valentine’s Day or the membership in the SSSB Club?” Can’t you see? There’s a catharsis: IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD! It’s all about you and it depends a whole lot on you! Now, let’s apply this cathartic understanding: Sir JM, throw me a question, if I feel the pressure of having no date in the coming valentines. Come on, don’t be shy! (JM, being the shy type, aids no reply)

Oh, you're shy. How about TM Ton, throw me a question, if I feel the pressure of having no date in the coming valentines.

(Ton, being the jester type, said May I take you to dinner?)

That's another question! So, TM Ed, throw me a question, if I feel the pressure of having no date in the coming valentines. (Ed, being the kind type, said "Do you feel the pressure of having no date on Valentines?")

“No, not really.”

(Dead air for three seconds)

Of course I feel the pressure! But then again, it’s all in the head!

I would rather think that valentines day this is the perfect time to party with friends, do some tugsh-tugsh gimmicks, or do some lalalalala sing-along. Or this is the perfect opportunity to date yourself – let your body go aahhh (relaxing tone) to the wonders of the spa.

Does it sound bitter or better? Again, it’s all in your head.

If you let yourself be overwhelmed with the sudden influx of flowers, balloons, chocolates, and stuffed toys everywhere, then you’ll definitely be bitter, envious, and feel bad about being alone. And if you focus on what you don’t have, a “boyfriend / girlfriend”, then you’ll miss out all the other great things that you have.

So everyone, especially if you have the same situation as I am, have to yet experience relationships, heed this simple tip. If someone asks you – do you feel lonely when you’ve got no date on Valentine’s Day? First, think of all the blessings and opportunities you have received throughout the year. (ad lib, I passed the Board Exam, weeh! I belong to DOF, weeh!! Benefits are being paid, weeh!! First time having credit card, weeh!!! Allowed for Graduate Studies and to Teach, weeh!!!!) Then, think of the things you may enjoy even without a date. Finally, declare,

“No, not really. I've got lots on my plate. I am still savoring it, eating it all, before that dessert comes. And yes, it will be the sweetest dessert of all.”

See? I told you, it’s all in the head.

---

Evaluation Proper:

I thought TM Ton is tasked to do that; but nevertheless, it was DTM Pat who made some notations on my speech. :)

STRONG POINTS:

You "owned" the stage. You feel comfortable with the audience. The title is catchy and attention-getting. Vocal variety, animation, and body language are all present. You have a way of working with words (i.e. "perspective" "bring the house down", "internalizing, visualizing, actualizing", "savoring before the dessert comes") and you used the power of repetition (i.e. "It's all in your head") and alliteration ("sunflower smiling to the serene sunshine").

AREAS TO IMPROVE:

1. Work with pronunciation: Catharsis is pronounced with accent on the second syllable, not on the first. Same as cathartic. Also, information is an abstract noun. put more appropriate prepositions ( i.e. pieces of)

2. Remove the article (i.e. the New Year's eve, the Valentines day, the couple)

3. Next time, do not wear clothes (i.e. jackets) that have side pockets. Hands tend to be placed there, whether intentionally or not, to remove the pressure during the delivery of the speech. (napansin pala niya yun? ako nga hindi ko alam na ganoon na ginagawa ko! hihih)

4. You have an impact to the audience, not to the notes - SO DROP THE NOTES! (I will, I will...)

ENDING AFFIRMATION - GOOD JOB! :)

(inputted 27 January 2011)

The Little Thing (aka The Fairy Tale Lover)

Some side notes — I was trying to locate my Toastmasters Speeches in Facebook Notes from way back 2011 and for some reason, the notes themselves are very elusive. Was the Facebook notes section archived or deactivated? I was not even aware of this shift, really. In the meantime, I shall copy and paste whatever transcript that I can find.


--

Here's the deal: These are not the exact words that I rendered in the speech tonight!

Don't expect anything, because I rearrange some statements and concepts. Maybe its the effect when you are nervous. But whatever, this is my contest piece. And this serves as my Basic Speech Project No.6 (Vocal Variety) for the El Presidente Toastmasters Club. Today is the celebration of the Chinese New Year, and today is an auspicious night. Happy! :D I won the second place. (considering that this is my first time to do public speaking). I also happy that some of my classmates in MBA are there to support me, and able to record my contest piece (and this is the first time I see myself in a video! Weird... just weird!) Sayang wala yung ibang mga officemates ko to see me rendering the piece. At least they could have explained why I go out of the office early on Thursdays.

For those who are not informed about this club, I joined the Toastmasters club last 04 November 2010 to hone my public speaking skills. I would like to encourage and to invite all of you guys to be a kibitzer to a Toastmasters Club Meeting. Ours is done every first and third Thursday of the month, 7PM at Max's 2nd Floor Liberty Center, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City.

--


Madam Contest Chair, fellow toastmasters, and welcomed guests: I have a confession.

At this age, I am still a poignant fairy-tale lover.

I love it when stories begin with “Once Upon a Time” and end in “Happily Ever After”. I love majestic castles and magnificent sceneries; happy songs and jolly dances. I love the stories of beautiful princesses and charming princes. I love watching them in mushy scenes and hearing their cheesy lines. I love them riding on a noble steed and doing the tiring chase, heart-pumping battles and blood-rushing encounters.

I’m looking forward to each story as it unfolds a wonderful, awesome adventure. Don’t you?

I especially love the scene where…

Ariel, the first time she saw Prince Eric, sang with excitement (♪♫ I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but I know something is starting right now… Out of this sea, wish I could be part of your world ♪♫) And when Belle, at the ball, Mrs. Potts sang (♪♫ Tale as old as time, true as it can be… barely even friends, then somebody bends, unexpectedly ♪♫)

It’s you know… it’s that warm, fuzzy feeling. Don’t deny it; you feel those goose bumps too!

And as you immerse yourself in its story, you would only sigh and say, “Awww, everything is so perfect!” 

And you believe that this is the happy ending.
But then suddenly, something goes wrong.

The witch placed a curse, and thus, a series of unfortunate events happened. A dark secret resurfaces. And then you would hear wistful whimpers and hurtful sobs. And you would hear a wicked, devilish laugh! (Wicked laugh) It overpowers the castles, sceneries and moments, and you would feel that all hope is lost.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you would feel that everything is impossible, that there’s no way to bring back things the way it should be. And yes, one point in time, in my life, I felt that too.

When I was ten, I dreamed of having a beautiful sister, a princess in the family, gifted with utmost beauty and golden voice. And then she was born! She was perfect! It’s a wish come true. She had the rosy cheeks, a perfect nose, and a pair of charming eyes. Everything was just perfect.

Suddenly, a witch came and gave her a curse.

Three months later, she was diagnosed with sepsis – a poison in the blood; a deadly poison that would kill her at a young age! It’s like the moments when Princess Snow White ate the poisoned apple, and when Princess Aurora pricked her finger in the spindle.

The moment when the antagonist bestowed that blight, everything fell down – everything was lost.

But no, we never gave up. We did not lose hope. We believed that she would be well. And through our prayers and deepest wishes (of course, with the help of the doctors), a miracle happened.

It was like; she wakes from a deep slumber. Today, she is a teenager, aspiring to be the next broadway sensation. She is fit as a fiddle. So, what is the lesson of this story? Let me tell you this: LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE! LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE!

You are not a prince (points to a man), and you are not a princess (points to a woman)! Your do not live in royal castles and in cave of wonders.

Rather, your life is a journey.
You are a traveler over ups and downs.
You are a dreamer.

So the question now is if life is a journey, not a fairy tale, is it possible to transform that journey into a fairy tale? I DECLARE, YES!

Dreams may not always have a happy ending, but you have this powerful thing. The little thing called faith. And this little faith will take you to greater heights, to breaking limits, to defying gravity. So, you’re not a prince, not a princess, but if you have faith – in God and in yourself, you have the ingredients to living happily ever after.

Believe, everyone, Believe! Through believing, you’ll know that everything will fall into right places. That everything is just right.

It’s what Cinderella sings it:

♪♫ No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true… ♪♫


---

EVALUATION PROPER:

Improvement on:

1. Reorganizing the speech - One said that parang dalawang beses kang nag-open at nag-close ng speech. It's supposed to happen only ONCE.

2. Pauses and Poses - Whatever you say, it should reflect on the posture, and on facial gestures.

3. Do not question the audience. If you always ask the lesson / morale in your speech, some would dare answer: WALA! It would be better if you urge / challenge them. You can shift the question to match up your expected response.

4. Encourage yourself to practice more, and to let your story be known. It is better if you share lots of your personal experiences in the speech, because these are the plus factors in the "substance" of your speech.


Positive Note:

1. YOU HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE A DISTINGUISHED TOASTMASTER! (Nothing and Everything follows! heheh)

BASTA HAPPY AKO TONIGHT! THIS IS A VERY FRUITFUL EVENT! :D

Oh yeah, I'll be seeing you all in the District 75 Convention in the Manila Ocean Park! Looking Forward to it!

(inputted: 04 Feb 2011; contest happened at 03 Feb 2011, 7PM)

Whatever REMAINS of us?

Hello mga jejemon! 😁 

Flexing this book in the Tuloy Po Kayo 2021 of CCP

I've recently read Remains by Daryll Delgado and I hope you will indulge me in this long post. But first, I want to personally thank you for patronizing my adventures in writing online journals, book reviews and for listening to my podcast! You can actually hover to your spotify app and click this link.

Pero kung tinatamad ka, you can simply read along in this entry.

I've collated my discussion notes and other hanash from our Buddy-reading spree with Kwesi, Neil and Jessie in a Facebook group page. If you are a student looking for some additional ideas or notes, I hope you can find them here. 

Honestly, I enjoyed reading Remains. It is one of the disaster fiction in the world of Filipiniana, and this has sold me to explore more of Daryll's works. The dynamics of the characters, the conflict and struggles of Ann, and of the people around her. It has evoked some of the emotions that I even thought I was deaf of. Or dead of, if that word works. I hope by collating my notes you will also be excited to have this reading experience. 😄

SECTION 1: CHAPTERS 1-7

• Okay ba sa inyo ang paghalo ng Waray, Filipino, at English sa nobela?

As to the language, being multi-lingual, I think it's fine. It made me appreciate the mother tongue my father considered dead when he moved to Manila during his high school years. And ako, who personally do not know the language, was curious on how the dynamics went if English and Waray was combined in some sentences... Groovy pala, parang coño bisdak rin lang hehe

As to its pacing, hindi sya mabagal like The Quiet Ones. Malaman kasi sya. Andaming mga pahapyaw na mga kwento. Parang fill-in the blanks ang atake. Or jigsaw puzzle. Enjoyable read, and medyo may mga snippets of family drama + nostalgia. Yung laman, mas bumibigat bawat kabanata. Atat ako makilala si Mrs. Suarez in the first four chapters, tapos malaman-laman ko biglang lumayas ang bakla (sa mga sumunod na chapters)

• Na-intrigue din ba kayo? Ano meron sa backstory ni Ann na interesting sa inyo? Ano kaya mga tinatago ng kanilang parents, no? 

Yung backstory ni Mrs. Suarez ang nacurious ako sa umpisa. Bakit may pagpapanggap? Bakit may piging? Sino si Tito Jun? Magbeshie ba talaga si Atty. Suarez at Manong Paterno? MAY LOVE TRIANGLE BA?!? chos, eme. Hindi ako masyado curious ke Ann at sa ex nya at sa kung anuman ang meron sila ni Ben. Altho, interesting take rin yung dynamics nila ni Alice. And nakakatuwa, kasi kahit magkaiba sila ng ugali, nagkakausap pa rin silang magkapatid. Stark contrast with some sad realities na dadalawang magkapatid na lang, hindi pa nagpapansinan.

• Kung ikaw ba na i-interview, ganon ka ba mag-desribe ng situation mo? Or baka dahil lang din sa translation ni Daryll Delgado? Or do you think since fiction naman ito, okay lang na maging literary ang transcript? What do you think? Ano pa kaya ang mga ginamit na instances ni Daryll para mabigyan ng historical context ang setting sa nobela?

Kung iinterview-hin rin ako ni Ann bilang isang ina na may nawawalang asawa, feeling ko katulad rin ako ng nasa transcript. Mananawagan, ipapakita picture, magra-rant ng "Bakit hindi kami sinabihan? Kesyo huli na?" Share ko rin lang, may gantong istilo ng panawagan ke Ms. Karen Davila from Real, Quezon. Bagyong Yoyong. Dami ring namatay, tapos iyak-iyak si nanay. Buhay daw sila ng anak nya, ganun. The translation in English kills the spirit of the original transcript. Ewan ko ba, ang pakiramdam ko kasi, binalik ako sa fictional aesthetic ng nobela. Or ako lang siguro ito.

Tip: Next time, I shall not read the Translation. Just skim and check the words that I didn't understand the meaning.

SECTION 2: CHAPTERS 8-13

• Somehow, na-reveal na ang backstory ng nanay. Kung sino siya. Pero hindi pa rin buo yong family drama. Kung bakit sila iniwan, yong mga secret. Si Paterno. Do you think may similarity ang nanay kay Ann?

These shifting narratives are not 100% seamless, pero as to the history of the family, parami nang parami yung nailalahad. Pero bakit parang kulang, ganun? Dahil ba passive si Ann? Parang ewan si ate, hindi ko alam kung edgy in her own way or trying hard Daria to hide any sign of a childhood trauma. Ongapala, narinig pala yung putukan nang mategibam si Tito Jun.

• I hate manipulative people! Feel ko talaga Sagittarius itong si Anne. What do you think?

Ang hindi ko matanggap ay ang gago ni Ann sa mga lalake. Dahil ba kinamulatan nya mga bruskong lalake, kelangan brusko rin sya sa larangan ng jowaan? Hays. Tingin ko, mana sya sa mama nya. Or, because of her hate with her mom, nae-emulate nya yung pagiging passive ng nanay nya sa kanya. Kinamulatan eh. Feeling nya mas physically and emotionally present ang papa nya, kahit may pahapyaw na mas maka-Romualdez si Attorney kesa sa kanyang misis. If polarizing beliefs ba ang mag-asawa, eh, hindi ko pa rin ma-solidify. Pero grabidad yung isla sa Leyte kung saan magpa-party mga burgis. Malalakas talaga ang alon para yung mga simpleng mangingisda, hindi makakasilip sa party ng mga Alta. Jusko, ansarap ipalamon sa mga alon.

KWESI NAMBABASH KA NG SAGS EH SAGITTARIUS ANG ZODIAC KO AT HINDI NAMAN AKO GASLIGHTER?! (lol, I just want to emphasize  that it is not fully based in the zodiac as to the person's character)

• Talking about psychology, malaki rin ang role ng trauma sa kwento, no. Pero hindi ko pa alam kung saan pupunta yung collective history X collective trauma. At kung paano nako-connect yung historical context sa mga nangyayari sa Yolanda. Ano masasabi niyo doon? For example, na-survive ang buong pamilya kasi napasa ang memory ng kanyang grandparents regarding the warning sign: three waves. Agree ba kayo? 

May nakita akong facebook or instagram(?) post ni Daryll about writing fiction relating to disasters. And, magandang literary(?) device yung mga transcripts. Dahil first-person narrative ang pagkakalahad, ramdam mo yung emotional trauma. 

And ako, as a reader, wanted to help. Remembering stories help.

Especially the kwentong bayan of three waves? Totoo yun. Kwento ng Matatanda yun. Taga-Isla Verde ang nanay ko, kaya nang tinanong ko yung tatlong bugso, alam nya rin yun. At alam ng mga taga-isla ang matiktik na alon (yung maraming puti, like sa gitna ng laot) versus sa maputik (lesser seawater, seafloor more visible). Kapag maputik, "aba'y umakyat ka na." 

Note: nanay ko katagalugan. Kaya hindi sya basta in Visayas region. It was a learned lesson of the ancestors. Personal narratives. And again, remembering stories help.

To echo yung hanash mo about the setting, visual treat ang eksena sa libingan. Ang linaw ng pagkakalahad. Dama ko yung awa sa mga bata. At ramdam ko ang kawalan ng tubig. Yung nilagay ni manong yung bottled water sa puntod ng asawa nya, huhuz galore. Grabeeeee

SECTION 3: CHAPTERS 14-20

• Uhm. That was so anticlimactic. Do you think may pasabog pa sa dulo ng libro? Ano na feel mo? Na-satisfy ka ba? Feel mo nabuo ang pagkatao ni Ann at ni Paterno? 

Gg ako nang may spat sesh si Ateng mo! Worthy to mention lang yung page 232:

"You don't need to do anything, Dins. Just drive for me, okay? That's all, that's what you're here for, that's what I am paying you for—"

PUCHA. CLIMAX DEAD. In that one statement, dito ko napagtanto, walang magiging closure.

• Hindi ko pa rin kilala ang parents niya. Hindi ko pa rin kilala yung ibang character. Si Alice. Si Paterno. Sino mga yon aside sa connection nila sa kaniya?
• Grabe, last night na sa Tacloban. Pauwi na si Ann, pero same with her ang mga hanash ko, I don’t know what is this all about. I don’t know bakit pa siya naghabol na mag-investigate kung ganun lang pala. There is no reason. Just plain coincidences. Ganon ba? Ano na so far ang assumption niyo sa nobela bago matapos? 

At dito ko rin narealize na, this book is not about solving mystery, but about facing the bitter reality. Hindi man sya hard-slapping truth, pero may mga pahaging na eh. Ayun lang, because Ann refuses to accept it, or maybe because the people around here knows that she's too vulnerable and traumatized to face it.

Some disclaimers as these are my personal opinion — 

Gagu yung attorney talaga. Gunman goon talaga yang si Manong Paterno na yan, kaya nung nakapagbayad na sya para humaba ang buhay ni attorney eh parang feeling nya naitubos na niya ang sarili nya. A case of absolution, ganern. Kklk this life.

SECTION 4: CHAPTERS 21-25

• Do you think mas magustuhan mo ba ang libro kung naging plot-driven siya? 

If I am to choose the ending... Ako, gusto ko makita mag-suicide si Mano Pater, ganern. Magpapalamon sa dagat. Para may drama!

• Feel ko nalunod lang ako doon sa paranoia na nararamdaman ng character. At feel ko, yun naman ang punto talaga ni Daryll. What do you think? Ano ang pagkakaintindi mo doon sa kwento?

Pero yung may chapter talaga ng Sex part eh. HINDI KO GETS BAKIT MAY SEX PART PA WAHAHAHA 

Mas nagustuhan ko yung mga salaysay on chapter 25. May affirmation na walang naaamoy sa bahay. Yun lang naman talaga ang kailangan ni Ann eh. Assurance. Solace, ganyan. Weakness talaga yung nasimulan ako sa mga disjointed puzzles about the family history. Mga tanong na walang closure, charot. Pero kapag ginawa mo kasing plot-driven, nawawala naman yung central theme ng nobela.

I am so torn. 😣

• May masasabi ba kayo sa mga transcript bilang collective memory, ano? Collective history?

Dito ko rin sa mga huling chapters ng libro ko napagtanto na yung book ay Remains ay tungkol sa kung anuman ang natitira kay Ann, sa Tacloban, at sa ating mga naaalalang kwento at kasaysayan. Medyo nag-dawn lang sa akin ngayon na ganun na lang talaga ang natitira sa historical context. Hindi na maipangalan ang diktador, o yung shift ng mga tao sa galit ng kawalang kwenta ng dating gobyerno sa pagtulong at pagbangon. O yung mga kwento ng mga yumaong kaanak ng mga biktima ng bagyo. Tapos, ganun na rin lang yung mga natitira sa taong naging saksi sa isang pagpatay. Ramdam nila sa sarili nila, patay na rin sila. O may pinatay sa kanila.

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Your Resident Jejebuster is Coming!

Hello! 

Time flies so fast, and we all know most of us are getting by, merely surviving the pandemic. 

I have nothing to offer, no lifehacks or any prep tips to survive an apocalypse, but hey, it's March 2021!

and... I am just dropping by to showcase my little podcast! 

This is one of the ventures and one of my coping mechanisms to get out of the rabbit hole of anxieties and depressive thoughts. Say hello to this little baby, as I am planning to have them finally kick off by 13th March, together with my game streaming site in Facebook.

This is Your Resident Jejebuster — and wala kang karapatang maging jejemon, ako lang! LOLJK 

Hope you can drop by my sites soon!