ERIC’S SONGBOOK

Lina Camitan, my co-teacher when I was still in De La Salle Zobel, asked me if I could accompany her to see Memoirs of a Geisha, a movie based on Arthur Golden’s 1997 novel, in ATC yesterday afternoon.  Without any ado, I agreed.  After all, it was a lazy Sunday.  She even agreed to treat me to the movies since it will be my 2nd time to see the film.  My high school buddy, Paul Palmero, dropped me off a pirated DVD last month while I was on house arrest due to chicken pox.  Lina and I had a delectable banana split sundae in Friday’s.  The movie is neither exciting nor a bore.  Rob Marshall did a good job of directing the movie even though it was a far cry from his 2002 masterpiece, Chicago.  Nonetheless, Memoirs of a Geisha showcases stellar perforances from Ziyi Zhang as Nitta Sayuri, Michelle Yeoh as Mameha and Gong Li as the jealous Hatsumomo.  Hatsumomo reminds me of the evil antagonists usually deployed in Filipino films.  She is insecure, green with envy, scheming and self-destructing.  Gong Li must be one of the most convincing antagonists I have seen in years.  Zhang Ziyi’s azure eyes are very hypnotic and captivating. 

It hurts me a lot to see a good friend go through some tough times in life, most especially if that friend is going through the same predicament have experienced not too long ago.  Though I really wanted to help, all I can do is listen, offer prayers and an advice or two.  I am glad that I was able to offer my company to a friend in need.  I hope and pray that God will bless my good friend with the strength, courage and serenity to carry on with life. 

In Tower Records, I was able to get a VCD of In The Name of the Father, an Academy-award nominated film from 1993 which bills Daniel Day Lewis.  I still need to find some time to watch VCDs.  I have a backlog of purchases which remain unseen. 

Classes are still suspended.  I can only imagine how much rushing I need to do in my MWF classes once the political storm has ended.  Tsk! Tsk! 

To that good friend of mine, I dedicate this good old song…

Lean On Me
Bill Withers

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don’t let show

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’d understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
Till I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

I have barely updated this blog of mine with something substantial for the past few days.  I am not at all satisfied with my writing style too.  Here I am battling a case of a writer’s block.  Nonetheless, let me give this a shot…

Today, I woke up at 6:15 am, way behind schedule.  I rushed to school only to find out that classes were called off because of the 20th Anniversary of the EDSA Revolution.  I was looking forward to wrap up my discussion of Linear Programming-Graphical Method so that I could give the 4th quiz by next week.  I ate a quick breakfast in McDo and boarded a bus to SM Southmall.  While on the bus, a local TV show was paying tribute to the year that was (1986) as it played the Dance Hits from that year.  Nostalgia creeped in as the TV show played Janet Jackson’s When I Think of You and Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone.  I just love  80s music (with the exception of New Wave). The trip down south was shorter than what I have expected so I boarded a jeepney bound to Festival Supermall.  Still, I arrived a few minutes before the shops open.  Having no other recourse, I had a second helping of breakfast in Starbucks–I ordered a buttered croissant and drank a cup of cappuccino.  Okay, the second breakfast was more expensive than the first and I felt extremely guilty from overspending.  I was trained to think (and act) like an economist.  My sincerest apologies to my conscience.   I went to Robinson’s and checked out some wristwatches.  A goldplated TIMEX caught my eye and it was 50% off!  Just when I was trying it on, the faulty bracelet of my five year-old TIMEX watch just gave way.  Call it divine intervention, it seems like the watch was just waiting for me.   After which, I went to catch the 11:45 am screening of Big Momma’s House 2.  Having suffered bad reviews, it was a funny, feel-good movie.  Before I finally headed home, I finally purged my budget and savings on a new Nokia 1100 (which was also on sale from SMART).  I gave my three-year old N-3315 to my younger brother.

Last Tuesday, a good high school friend of mine, Elaine Corpin, took some time to visit me in school.  We had some good laughs over coffee and reminisced how highschool was.  She is off to Hong Kong this weekend for a brand new job in HSBC.  Good luck, Elaine!  May God bless you always!  By the way, thanks for reintroducing me to a bowl of Mongolian!  I haven’t had any since Freshman year in college!

The day after, I caught a late afternoon screening of Final Destination 3 in SM Sucat just after a work.  It employed practically the very same plot and exposition as with the first installment.  I would rather catch Quentin Tarantino’s Hostel instead.

A few weeks ago, the board of judges of the Students’ Search for Outstanding Teachers interviewed me.  It was an honor just to be nominated.  I can’t believe that there were students who went out of their own way just to nominate me last term.  I am truly grateful and indebted to all of you.  Finally, I have a reason to do well in my profession.  Thank you. 

Some ranting:  CDs have raised their prices due to the 12% EVAT.  I am about to reach my breaking point making me indifferent to pirated CDs.  Up to this very moment, all my 500++ CDs are  original.  The next time they raise prices will be the last straw.  Since the beginning of February, there are no new releases that really caught my fancy.  I am still waiting for my copy of U2’s The Joshua Tree I ordered from Tower Records.  I should’ve bought it last Christmas season when I saw a rack full of them.

It will be my dad’s first year anniversary next Saturday.  I can’t believe that I have survived and made it this far.  Thank you Lord for giving me the strength to face each day…

Dad this song is for you…

One Sweet Day
Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men

Sorry I never told you

All I wanted to say

And now it’s too late to hold you

‘Cause you’ve flown away

So far away

Sorry I never told you

All I wanted to say

I woke up this morning with the sun strongly permeating my curtains.  And I realized, the summer season is about to creep in.  There is something in the air that tells me that it is that time of the year again.  I looked out my window and I saw green like it was never green before.  As a matter of fact, I think my room never looked that bright before (well, perhaps, it was due to the fact that I leave the house everyday at a time when the sun hasn’t risen yet for the past seven weeks).

I am really looking forward to a great summer ahead.  It is indeed going to be an early one.  Just when I was inspired to write this blog entry enjoying a glass of semi-frozen mango juice, let me share with you the lyrics to one of the best Janet Jackson summer songs in my opinion–And On And On from her janet.remixed album.  I bought this album in Pop Station in Glorietta sometime in May 1995 and I honestly say that it is one of the summer soundtracks of my life.  This song is one of those rare tracks that you would play in the beach (or even while taking a shower) even though it never gained popularity as a single. 

And On And On
Janet Jackson

This is a song about
Summertime
(Cool summer yeah cool summer)
May it never end, may it never end
(Feeling goes on, cool summer, feeling goes on, feeling goes on)
This is a summer of love and the love will go

I’m not gonna stop, no
I don’t wanna stop, no
I’m not gonna stop, no ooh
I’m not gonna stop, no
I don’t wanna stop, no
I’m not gonna stop, no ooh 

I got this questionnaire regarding my stay in DLSU so far over the net and I took the liberty of answering it.  Hey, I tried to be really honest in answering them…

1. Ano ang student number mo? 9708278 – Bachelor’s; 10293094 – Master’s; 970***** – Faculty   

2. Nakapasa ka ba o Waitlisted?
Passed, of course!

3. Pano mo nalaman ang entrance exam result?
Through a love letter sent by the Registrar’s Office sometime in March 1997

4. First choice mo ba ang La Salle?
Yeah, I think so.

5. Alam mo ba ang DLSUCET Score mo?
Unfortunately not, but I am willing to know if the data are available.

6. Ano ang first choice mo na course?
Bachelor of Science Major in Business Management (BMG)

7. Ano naman ang second choice mo?
Bachelor or Arts in Communication Arts (AB-CAM)

8. Ano ang course mo ngayon?
I finished my Graduate Studies in 2004, Master of Applied Economics (M-AE)

9. May plano ka bang magshift?
I did have plans of shifting but I thought it would be too expensive given the fact that I am halfway done with my BMG.

10. Chinito / chinita ka ba?
Some say I’m chinito but I don’t see myself that way.

11. Nag-aral ka na ba sa isang La Salle school before going to DLSU?
Of course, I have been in a La Salle operated institution since 1985. I studied in De La Salle Zobel for my Preschool, Elementary and Secondary education.

12. Nag-enjoy ka ba sa Saliksik? Not really…I found it too superficial back in my time. I heard the same old stories and participated in the same old activities. Do you expect me to open up to a bunch of people whom I don’t know???

13. Saang gate ka pumasok nung first day mo sa La Salle? South Gate

14. Nakapag-dorm ka na ba? Nope.

15. Nagka 0.0 ka na ba? Never.

16. Nagka-4.0?
Yup! I got 4.0s in GENPSYC, COMATH2, INTPHIL, ROTC-03, ROTC-04, COMART2, PETWODA, RELSTWO, ENVIPHY, BUSORGA, MANPRA1, MANPRA2, MANPRA3, INDRELA, LITERA2, CBEARTS, INTERBU, STRATEM, RELSFOR, etc….

17. Highest grade?
4.0

18. Lowest grade?
1.0…ACTONEA

19. Worst experience sa DLSU?
Mang Jack caught me writing Happy Valentines on the board on February 13, 1998 and reprimanded me not to do that again… hahahahahahahaha

20. Lagi ka bang pumapasok sa klase?
Of course, I skipped one meeting HUMABEH class due to flu and one meeting in COMART1 to interview Ex-Mayor Joey Marquez for my PHILHIS paper.  Technically, I have a good attendance record…

21. Anong orgs mo?
The LaSallian, Malate Literary Folio, DLSU Student Council, Santugon, COSCA

22. May scholarship ka ba?
Yup. I earned a partial scholarship from SFA for my Master’s Degree.  I only paid half of the expenses.

23. Ilang units na ang naipasa mo?
192.50 units of Bachelors and 36 units of Masters + WCE

24. Nangangarap ka bang mag-cum laude?
Yup, but I only managed to graduate With Loyalty and Honorable Mention. Some professors are too tough to crack…

25. Kelan ka magtatapos? 2001—BMG-ACM; 2004—M-AE; PhD to follow perhaps before I turn 30 in 2009…

26. Fave teachers?
Dr. Tereso Tullao, Jr. for INTECON; Mrs. Fritzie Mangonon-Punsalang for LITERA2; Miss Natty Manauat for INTPHIL; Dr. Jiggs Mauricio for STRATEM.

27. Worst teacher? can’t tell…i work in DLSU, do you want me to get fired?!?

28. Fave subjects?
COMATH2… I was the only one in class who got a perfect score in Quiz #1 (Conic Sections) and 120% in Quiz #4 (Progressions) and I am currently teaching it!!!! I love algebra!!! I was the only one in my block who got a 4.0!!!

29. Worst subject? ACTONEA…it nearly drove me crazy…our passing grade at that time was 75%

30. Fave landmark sa DLSU? uhm, nothing in particular…i leave the school ASAP when the day is over.

31. Fave building? SJ, one of the least congested building unlike LS

32. Paboritong kainan? McDo, KFC and Wendys!

33. Paboritong tambayan? SPS

34. Student-rate ba ang binabayad mo sa jeep? Couldn’t care less. Back in 1997, the minimum jeepney fare was only P2.50. I can practically survive with a P120/day allowance

35. Lagi ka ba sa Lib? In the cybernook. In 1997, learning to chat is cool! J

36. Nagpunta ka na ba sa clinic nung minsan na magkasakit ka? Nope, just passed by to get some lozenges and/or Biogesic once or twice. I did get a clearance a few weeks ago after recovering from chickenpox.

37. May crush ka ba sa campus? I do have a handful of pretty students and I did have some beautiful (but overrated) blockmates.

38. GF? No time for amor…

39. May balak ka ba mag-Masters o mag-PhD? Yes, I do have plans of getting my PhD if DLSU will pay for it.

40. Anu-ano na ang naging PE mo? Calisthenics/Physical Fitness; Social Recreation; Tae-kwon-do; Soccer/Football

41. Kamusta naman ang block mo? Some were nice, some weren’t and as for the rest I have no comment and I don’t care…

42. Nakapanood ka na ba ng graduation sa DLSU? Yup, as faculty member, I am required to attend two graduations per year.

43. Memorize mo ba ang Alma Mater Song? Yep…

44. Memorize mo ba ang Rektikano? Yes…

45. Eh ang Bumakaya? Opo… when I was in high school, my friend made an Explicit Version of the lyrics to Bumakaya, wanna hear?

46. Eh ang La Salle Spelling? Of course! It doesn’t take a village to spell L-A S-A-L-L-E, La Salle rah!

47. Member ka ba ng kahit anong DLSU Varsity team?
Nope…Wanted to play tae-kwon-do back as a frosh but my sparring partner took a shot at my nads…

48. Sino ang paborito mong Green Archer?
Not much of a basketball fan…lost a girl to one and I hate jocks!

49. Naka-perfect ka na ba ng exam?
Of course, care to hear my story on how I got a 120% in my COMATH2 class?!? I ranked first in the quiz while the rest of my blockmates got real low scores. Dr. Natividad adjusted the denominator and I got 84/70 = 120% instead of 84/100 = 84%. To cut the story short, I made the textbook my best friend.

50. Anong ayaw mo sa Finals Week? STRESS! STRESS! STRESS!

51. Dito ka ba natuto uminom ng beer?
Nope. I don’t drink and I don’t smoke. Unless, you’re talking about champagne and red wine…

52. Dito ka ba na-devirginize? Still am a virgin. I got an offer to become a DLSU Brother three times already… care to hear the details???

53. Anong gusto mo sa school natin? Well, DLSU hired me full-time… (after 4 years of service, just when I was about to quit)

54. Anong ayaw mo? Some students that are bratty and spoiled. Students who are cheaters, then the nerve to deny the truth and what is evident!!!

55. Bumili ka na ba sa bookstore sa Sports Complex? Nope. Too far.

56. Eh dun sa bookstore sa may SPS? Of course.

57. Guwapo ka ba ID pic mo? You be the judge…

58. Nawala mo na ba ID mo? Yup, sometime in November 1997 and in March 2003.

59. May ginawa ka na bang illegal sa loob ng campus? None that I know of…

60. Nag-Starbucks ka na ba sa Taft? Yup, first time in 2000…

You’re tagged…please do take time to answer… I enjoyed this one…

Yesterday I gave a make-up class to 3 QUATECH section and started the lesson on PERT/CPM (Project Evaluation and Review Technique/Critical Path Method), which is my favorite topic in the said course.  After which, I grabbed a quick lunch in KFC and trekked to SM Megamall to meet my PRACTI2 advisees for their teambuilding.  It is nice to hang out with such energetic young people filled with bright ideas.  Furthermore, it reminded me of my college days.  At the end of the day, I realized that it has been quite some time since I have had fun other than family.  My advisees even taught me to play billiards and I was so terrible at it.  It was indeed a 1 hour crash course on a sport that is totally alien to me.   Believe me, solving Quadratic Equations in One Variable is relatively easier than billiards! I honestly think that logarithms are easier to learn that to play pool. For the past five years, I was so uptight and dead serious with my life that I practically have no other idea of fun other than the following: movies, music and lesson preparation! Okay, so that proves my pathetic existence on this planet driven by bills to pay.  Believe it or not, it has been  5 years since I went clubbing.  It was my second paycheck as a highschool teacher back in 2001! The band that played in the Studio 1 in Festival was Kulay and their frontwoman, Radha, suddenly gave me the mic and asked me to jam with her to Jennifer Lopez’s Let’s Get Loud!  Thanks to my co-faculty back then who even prodded me to take the mic! If my students only have seen it, they will all lose even the tiniest iota of respect for me. Hahahahahahaha!!!

Speaking of a crash course, while waiting for my students in SM Megamall, I was able to get a copy of CRASH in VCD.  The said film stars Sandra Bullock, Brendan Fraser, Matt Dillon, Ryan Phillippe, Don Cheadle, and a lot more.  Being nominated for Best Picture in this year’s Academy Awards, Crash deals with the enigmatic troubled stories of individuals residing Los Angeles, each of them armed with issues that need to be resolved.  From the sensitive topic corruption to racism, their lives are interwoven with all ends tied by fate.  The film also goes to show that it could be a small world, one’s path will definitely cross with someone else’s sooner or later and the repercussions of the choices one has made will surely have an impact in his/her life down the road.  I give this Oscar-worthy film an A-.