Fresh, Fun Summer of 2011

The summer of 2011 promises new experiences. Can anything get better than being in an environment where you are challenged to apply what you boast to have learned in school?

The few skills I have acquired as a student of Computer Engineering will be put to the test. I'm a little daunted by programming and system development, a computer science feat that I have not come to get a good grasp on. Fortunately, the tasks lined up will be done by teams and not individually. And hooray for me, my friend and teammate is a whiz at these things.

Last week, before our on-the-job-training commenced, I was in Manila with my niece. I must say, nothing much has changed since I went last year, at least in those familiar places that I frequently visited when I was a UP student. It was quite disappointing, though, to have missed my friends. I guess they have taken the Holy Week 'vacation' someplace else. Well, some of them are abroad working. KG was on tour, which was a relief since I could not make the time to visit UP.

So far, I've been having a busy summer. What else is in store, I have no idea. The fun's just starting, after all.

Misyon

di alintana ang dilim

na unti-unting sumusuko sa liwanag;

lumalamig ang simoy ng hangin--

umaakit na ng paghimbing.

ngunit sa mandirigmang

manhid na sa antok,

ang tanging mahalaga

ay matupad ang misyon...

oras na ang lumilipas

at huling yugto na ng laban;

pintig ng puso 'y kay bilis

at mga kamay ay pawisan,

sabik nang makamit

ang tagumpay na inaasam...

subalit anong saklap

at sa isang iglap,

naunahan ng kalaban

sa kabilang upuan;

ang matagal na pagsisikap

ng magiting na mandirima

winakasan lamang ng dalawang kataga...

GAME OVER!

HOMINIS PLASTICUS

they are secretly dubbed as ' the flat tops' by the congregation of the learned a gauche because their brains have been flattened by the pressurized air trapped inside their skulls (with gustiness exceeding 250mph!!!). they are easily recognized, as they stick together as though glued, flaunting their wares as a peacock showing its plumes would, and when they pass by they reek of burning plastic. separated ,they are dodos--helpless and easy prey. collectively they could be a threat--but mostly to themselves.

these pseudo-humans belong to the primitive era, where bashing the opponent was the norm and the only way to survive. their language, also reminiscent of the past, is limited to pointing, grunting, picking their cavernous noses, and teeth-gnashing. they can, however, be very charming, that's why despite the reek and their penchant for sneak-attacks, they easily dupe simpletons.

the present government of Papa Charlie has no notion that this small community of ultra-neanderthals is under his rule. the junior deputy prime minister has come to enlist their aid in the upcoming re-formation of the knights of the round table, and they have named their group 'the united plastics incorporated' or TUPI. speculation from the congregation of the learned a gauche has risen that the junior deputy prime minister might be a clansman of the hominis plasticus. if this is true, then Papa Charlie will have to prepare for chaos.

Kape

Ang maghapo’y nauubos
Sa pagbibilang ng oras;
Hindi mapakali
Hangga’t hindi sumasapit
Ang takdang sandali
Hangga’t wala ang init na gumuguhit
Sa lalamunang sabik,
Hangga’t wala ang halimuyak
Na sintamis ng sampaga,
At hangga’t wala ang linamnam
Ng nag-aagaw-pait-at-tamis
Na sa dila’y kumikiliti.
At sa pagdating ng tamang panahon
Magigising ang diwang
Pinag-manhid ng pagkabagot,
Waring lupang tigang
Na nadiligan ng ulan,
At ngayon…
Matapos ‘hipan ang usok
Magsisimula na ang ugnayan
Magsisimula na ring bumagal
Ang mundo sa pag-inog
Matapos ang unang higop
Na puno ng sigla,
Mata’y ipipikit
At sa hangi’y pakakawalan
Ang damdaming nag-uumapaw sa tuwa
Na animo’y dalangin ang sambit
Pagka’t langit ay narating na.
Muling hihigop ng isa
At susundan ng ilan pa;
Pinananabikan ang bawat patak,
Pinakatangi-tangi
Ang bawat pangungusap
Ng labi at tasa.
At pagsapit ng wakas
Ng ginigiliw na tagpuan,
Saglit na matitigilan,
Titingnang maigi ang tasang walang laman,
‘Maari kayang ulitin pa?’
Sambit sa sariling puno ng pag-asam
Habang unti-unti
Umikot nang muli
Ang kamay ng orasan

No Politician

i'm currently having problems deciding whether i should enter into school politics or not... i've found myself cornered by a persistent teacher and equally persistent classmates to run for council president. the school director has also voiced his opinion that he'd like me to take the helm as well. sigh!

truth be told, i have no desire for any position in the council. politics leave me stressed out, what with my personal code of life going against most of the unwritten laws in politicking -- and even against some principles that are deemed good in society. i live by my own rules, and i hate compromising just for the sake of conformity, which is why i dare say my participation in the recent meetings with aspiring council members had been disinclined and halfhearted. i admit, i had been willing at first, even to consider the suggestion that i run for council president. but as talks progressed, i realized how little i knew about the school and the undercurrents going on.

this weekend is a good time to think things over and examine motives, mine and others'. life has taught me never to jump into a situation blindly. and i don't intend to. i also do not intend to be used by anybody. i will have to disabuse them of their notion that i will be putty in their hands. i hope i am far too experienced to be lured in a trap.

Summer Fun

The greatest pleasure of all is to own a piece of heaven!!! LOL!

A fish like me can't be expected not to turn a golden color with a private beach like this near our property, eh?

Shame, though, I wasn't able to get a shot of our own. I couldn't take the camera with me on the bangka. I feared it would get wet since i was sitting at the helm of the little fishing boat.

Next time I'll bring it along so I could post more pictures. Maybe I could put it in a zip-lock bag... Cheers!

Sa Kanlungan ng Panaginip

Walang puwang ang lungkot
Sa diwang nahihimbing;
Walang pait na papawi
Sa ngiti ng nananaginip;
Pagka't tanging ito lamang
Ang kanlungang maituturing
Sa pagsapit ng dapit-hapon
Ng isang pag-ibig

Kung mata'y ididilat
Mababanaag ang lumbay,
Mananatiling sariwa
Ang luhang walang humpay;
Kung kaya't maigi pang pumikit
At kagyat na humimlay,
Takasang panandali
Ang sakit ng paghihiwalay.