ERIC’S SONGBOOK

Tuesday marks the 56th Annual Miss Universe Pageant live from Mexico City, Mexico.  My best friend and I have this age-old tradition of swapping bets in the semifinals round to test who has an eye for spotting a real winner, with beauty and hopefully with brains too.

Last year, I was countng on Alice Panikian to bag back-to-back titles for the land of the maple trees.  But with the win of Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico, one of my favorites, was not a surprise.  She was completely patterned and packaged as another Denise Quiñones clone.

Now, I am ready to unearth my Top 15 choices for the plum on Tuesday.  Latinas usually make it big in this competition.  But who can’t blame them?  They send the most beautiful in the bunch.  Photos are courtesy of www.missuniverse.com

1.)  MEXICO - Rosa Maria Ojeda Cuen

Mexico sent a well prepared delegate in this year’s edition of this beauty pageant.  With a semifinals streak running since 2004, and with the pageant hosted in her own turf, what could possibly go wrong with strong Latina features and a killer stage presence?  Mexicans are like Filipinos, they are also a pageant-loving people.  This Mexican lass could just take it all on Tuesday.  Lupita Jones was the first Mexican to win the title in 1991.  Cuen is 20 years old and stands 5′8".

2.)  VENEZUELA - Ly Jonaitis

Venezuelan women could be one of the main exports of the country aside from the country’s oil.  They usually do well in this contest, settling no less than a semifinals position.  However, with the poor showing of Venezuela in 2004 and 2006, they could hit the nail right with Ly Jonaitis.  Also armed with strong Latina features and a voluptuous figure, this lady will never settle for anything less than a Top 5 slot.  Venezuelans are known to be tough, cold and stern competitors.  Think of Alicia Machado in 1996, Marena Bencomo in 1997 and Veruska Ramirez in 1998.  Not to mention the ones they sent in the early 90s as well most especially Minorka Mercado in 1994 who competed here in Manila.  Jonaitis stands 5′9".

3.)  THAILAND - Farung Yuthithum

I honestly think that among the Asians, Yuthithum has been blessed with the sweetest face, a disarming smile and a captivating aura.  I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the judges would go for someone in the Asian continent this time for a change.  If that’s the case this beautiful Thai lady who stands at 5′11" is the perfect choice.  In my opinion, she is the strongest Thai delegate sent to this competition since 1988’s Porntip Nakhirunkanok.

4.)  SOUTH AFRICA - Megan Coleman

South Africa is a diverse country with a slew of cultures, races, religion and traditions.  The country has sent delegates of various backgrounds to the pageant and they usually do well.  Megan Coleman is the most stunning blonde in the bunch.  The last blonde from South Africa who made the cut was Heather Hamilton who competed in 2000 and made it to the semifinals.  Unlike Hamilton who finished last, Coleman could nail it her looks alone sans the interview. 

5.)  USA - Rachel Smith

Of course, they own the pageant.  What kind of party would it be if they host is not invited?  Though Mexico literally plays the host this year and won the plum once, Americans won this seven times.  The last one being Brook Mahealani Lee of Hawaii in 1997.  This year, Rachel Smith could just be the 8th American to bag this plum.  Though not as photogenic as the other delegates, she works the runway with her attention-grabbing catwalk skills.  Throughout the 55 editions of this pageant, Americans failed to make the cut only thrice, with the most recent one in 2002 when a very muscular Shauntay Hinton barely impressed the judges.  With Rachel Smith, I don’t think USA will fail to make the cut.

6.)  COLOMBIA - Eileen Roca

The last winner from Colombia was Luz Marina Zuluaga in 1958.  The Colombian government declared Zuluaga tax-exempt for life and was given a mansion.  In the 90s, delegates from Colombia almost always made it to the Top 10.  From 1992-1994, they produced three first runner-ups.  Eileen Roca could just be the second and it is high time to break the dry spell.  She has a smile of an angel and a striking swimsuit pose.  I consider her as one of the finest and strongest candidates from South America this year. 

7.)  BRAZIL - Natalia Guimaraes

As my friend would say, Brazil is flying high this year.  Guimaraes has an awesome stage presence and a winning smile that could also win the judges’ vote.  Again, this pageant is being criticized for heavily favoring Latinas but who could blame them?  Just like what I said, they send the strongest and most prepared delegates and Guimaraes is one of them. 

8.)  JAPAN - Riyo Mori

Japan came close to winning last year when a Kurara Chibana brought in a wave of fresh air in the semifinals.  A crowd favorite, Chibana wowed the audience and judges alike.  This year, Riyo Mori is patterned after her.  A recycling formula made wonders for Puerto Rico.  Notice how every year when they send a Denise Quinones look-alike, it usually ends with the Photogenic plum or a Top 5 position.  Mori has Chibana’s face, personality, height and even walk. The worst thing that the judges could do is not buy the formula but hey, it works on me.  Again, it is high-time that someone from Asia should win.

9.)  ITALY - Valentina Massi

Valentina Massi has one of the great bodies in this year’s pageant.  She can work the catwalk like a pro.  Even better than Naomi Campbell, I think.  Coming from a nation known for the fashion capital of the world, I wouldn’t be surprised if this lass enters the semifinals and breeze through it with flying colors.  The last time Italy made the semifinals was in 1997 when Denny Mendez, a native of the Dominican Republic.  Mendez made waves when the Italian public lamented that a black woman should not represent Italy in the pageant.  Mendez retaliated by placing 2nd in the preliminaries and wowed judges with her amazing catwalk and pose.

10.)  TANZANIA - Flaviana Matata

This pageant is notorious for welcoming first timers with arms wide open that eventually lift them to plum itself.  Think of Michelle McLean of Namibia in 1992 and Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana who killed Miriam Quiambao’s chances of bringing home the 3rd for the Philippines in 1999.  What made Flaviana Matata special, aside from being a rookie, is that her exotic good looks and charm good be the ace up her sleeve.  You can’t just help it but be mesmerized when she works the catwalk wearing her swimsuit. 

11.)  COSTA RICA - Veronica Gonzalez

Veronica Gonzalez rarely made waves of fancy this year but something in her caught my attention.  Her lovely face, her exotic smile, and her official portrait in the Miss Universe website.  She may be one of the dark horses but to me, she is my personal favorite.  After all, Costa Rica never won the title before and she just could be it.  Costa Rica last appeared in the Top Ten in 2004 in the person of Nancy Soto, a statuesque 6′ tall brunette.  Then again, height is not everything.  Gonzalez tips the scale at 5′7".

12.) PERU - Jimena Elias

My list is now brewing with a storm of Latin delegates but they really do deserve the attention and exposure.  Peru won the title 50 years ago by sending Gladys Zender.  This country is also doing its best to break the dry spell that has been running for half a century.  Born in Lima, Jimena Elias is only eighteen and stands at 5′7".  I could honestly say that she has one of the most beautiful faces that could move heaven and earth in this year’s pageant.

13.)  NICARAGUA - Xiomara Blandino

Nicaragua’s Xiomara Blandino stands 5′7" and is a 22 year-old brunette.  Raised in Managua, she is one aspiring architect.  Blandino could just raise the flag of her country this year with her strong features.  In addition, Nicaragua never won the title before.  Blandino reminds me of Lourdes Arevalos of Paraguay last year who placed a slot in the Top 5 with her catwalk skills and confidence.   Blandino exuded the same aura in the preliminaries and could guarantee her a slot in the Top 15.

14.)  INDIA - Puja Gupta

India is the powerhouse of the pageant industry throughout most the 90s.  They nail the semifinals with their excellent motherhood answers in the interview and a mesmerizing aura that usually works in their favor just like Lara Dutta in 2000.  This year, Puja Gupta is one of the strongest delegates from Asia.  Gupta resembles Lymaraina D’Souza who competed in 1998 and landed with a Top 10 slot.

15.)  PUERTO RICO - Uma Blasini

Okay, I get the message.  Send a Denise Quinones look-alike and win.  See how perfectly packaged their past 3 candidates were:  Zuleyka Rivera claimed the title in 2006; Cynthia Olavarria ended first runner-up in 2005 and Alba Reyes settled for second runner-up in 2004.  All of which were done in the Denise Quinones factory.  From 2001 to 2004, their delegates claimed the Photogenic prize.  But this year, Puerto Rico dares to be different.  Blonde and beatiful, Uma Blasini stands at 6′ and has a fantastic walk.  Though I am sure that she just won’t settle for the 15th slot, I just want some new flavor in this year’s show. 

Tomorrow marks the start of the first term, SY2007-08, at least for teachers.  It is back to the grind again.  It will also mark my 7th school year in the academe. 

Below are five of my wishes for this 1st term, and for the whole school year in general.  I wish that:

1. The school year will be less stressful and less hectic than the previous one.  Last year, never a month went by without me experiencing any of the following: body aches, head aches, influenza, stomachaches, sore eyes, chest pains, due to stress despite my daily dose of at least 5 different antioxidants a day.  When 2007 was ushered in, I made a vow that I will take things easy this year and I am successful so far.  Being in an administrative position is no laughing matter, if only I could make 5 clones of myself to get things done I would.  But since I can’t, one Eric Halcon should do.  I am no Superman.
2. That my students would be at least 99.9% smart, well-behaved, honest and cooperative.  I do know that this is a tall order but I do prioritize honesty among everything else.  I had my fair share of noisy, arrogant, braggarts and cheaters and it was a learning experience for me.  I will never ever forget the first bunch of students I caught cheating and whom I sent to the Discipline Office.  I also dislike students who plead for a passing grade come Course Card Day yet they never helped themselves at all.  As a teacher, I just compute their grades.  It is just that I never knew the language of failing, I never pleaded for a 1.0 in the undergraduate classes nor for a 2.0 in my Masters nor a 2.5 in my Doctorate classes.  When I do something, I give it my all.
3. That graduate school will be a breeze.  Though I am doing well so far, I already had my share of a professor who never returns papers and ends guessing my grade.  As a teacher myself, I am offended since I am transparent when it comes to such.  This year, I am bound to take three Microeconomics and three Macroeconomics classes.  I do hope that I will be blessed with outstanding, competent professors.
4. That 99% of the time when it rains, it will be a hassle-free commute home.  Okay, here comes the three longest months of the year: June, July and August.  My crystal ball predicts a heavy downpour, a flooded Taft Avenue, stranded commuters, a miserably drenched Eric Halcon about to get a sore throat, then a cold, then a full-blown flu despite bringing a jacket and umbrella and taking Vitamin C pills everyday. Thanks to the lousy weather and a weakened immune system due to stress.  Just like the Clusivol commercial "Sa panahon ngayon, bawal magkasakit".  Bawal mag-absent sa DLSU…once absent, no promotion.
5. That I could save enough money prior to my contract’s expiration.  My contract will expire on the last week of August and will be renewed in September for my third year under probation as a full-time faculty.  I am trying to curb unnecessary expenses to boost my savings for future consumption when this period comes.  Sometimes, I am contemplating of going back to part-time teaching again.  At least there are less commitments and less stress.  I can also spread my wings as I try to pursue another career in teaching.  I also miss teaching in St. Scholastica’s College.  On the other hand, my conscience tells me that I should stick it out with DLSU as long as I can.  Now that I am in my late 20s, stability and longevity are things that I should long for and now that I am in that path, I should be grateful that I have a job that leads me to them.  Only God knows my future.

On the bright side, here are some things that I am looking forward to this June to August 2007:

• Absolute Garbage, Garbage’s greatest hits CD is due on June 5 (US)
• Ocean’s Thirteen opens June 6 (PH)
• Fantastic Four : Rise of the Silver Surfer opens June 13 (PH)
• My December, Kelly Clarkson’s third studio album is scheduled for release on June 26. (US)  Clarkson’s new CD features the hit single "Never Again" and has already peaked at #8 in the Billboard Hot 100 charts.  I personally liked Clarkson’s new rock sound she imbibed in her 2004 smash album "Breakaway".  It is a wise departure from her pop-ish American Idol image.  Only time can tell whether this CD can live up to its predecessor’s promise. 
• Transformers opens July 4 (US).  I grew up watching the Transformers the animated series and playing with the toys. I must admit that even though that the series was in 2-D, it was an exciting treat for me.  I just love how sleek the design of the Decepticons are and how lame and lousy the Autobots are.  My first Transformer was Sideswipe, the Autobot red car.  My mom and I bought it from Gibson’s in Makati, just beside the old Rizal Theatre.  If memory serves me right, that was sometime in 1985.  The Transformers The Movie ranks as one of my all-time favorite movies. 
• Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix opens July 13 (US)
• The release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on July 21 in our local bookstores.
• The Simpsons Movie opens July 27 (US)
• The Bourne Ultimatum opens August 3 (US)

Summer term ends on Thursday and teachers have to report to school on Monday, May 21 in preparation for the next school year.  It is really amazing how time flies by.  As we welcome SY 2007-08 with open arms on May 23, I can still remember that I was a Freshmen ten years ago.   My ORIENT1 classes were held from May 28 to May 30.  One of the unforgettable icebreakers back we had back then was to sing the Spice Girls’ hit "2 Become 1" after eating polvoron.  We toured around campus by our facilitators and I must admit that I was overwhelmed how huge DLSU was.  I remember that I hitched rides with my high school batchmate and college blockmate, Ella Villanueva, throughout ORIENT1 days.  Mayie Arriola, from Colegio de San Agustin, was one of my blockmates whom I first met during those days.  I made good friends with Mike Bayocot, Joan Gonzales and Joseph Bernardo from my block.  Prior to ORIENT1, I remember watching Scream and The Devil’s Own in the old Greenbelt, where I also bought some school stuff as I bid adieu to my summer vacation.  I also remember buying a cassette tape of Hanson’s "Middle Of Nowhere" album which contained the hit single "Mmmbop", which coincidentally was the #1 single on top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts when classes opened.

1st Year, 1st Term, SY 1997-1998

Highlights of my first year, first term in DLSU are as follows:

Subjects taken:

• ORIENT1 - Ms. Honor Gabuna - P
• COMATH1 - Ms. Melinda Merza - 3.0
• ENVIROB - Ms. Estrellita Madriaga - 2.5
• COMART1- Dr. Corazon Mendoza - 2.5
• GENPSYC - Ms. Cheryl Palomar - 4.0
• ACTONEA - Ms. Nimpha Aquino - 1.0
• PHILHIS - Mr. Jorge Job - 3.0
• PEONEPF - Mr. Magat - 3.0
• ROTC-01 - 3.0
• GPA - 2.700
• CGPA - 2.700 (too mediocre for me…revenge coming soon…)

First year, first term marked a huge transition in my life.  It was the first time I gained independence.  I learned how to budget my time and make most out of it.  My study habits changed significantly as I adjusted to the demands of college life.  I remember that I had a really hard time with Accounting.  After that, I promised myself never to be in danger of failing again (in which I was successful, by the way.

I auditioned for the Chorale but failed, tried for a writer’s position in The Lasallian and failed as well.  However, I was successfully able to stick it out with the Malate Literary Folio as a writer of poetry and essays.

Events, Movies & Music of First Year, First Term

• Anaconda
• Double Team
• Con-Air
• Men In Black
• The Lost World : Jurassic Park
• Liar Liar
• The Fifth Element
• Air Force One
• Speed 2 : Cruise Control
• Inventing The Abbotts
• Batman & Robin (after watching this in SM Southmall, the jeepney I rode home was held-up by some robber and the whole experience was quite tramautic for me)
• Chicago Bulls wins NBA plum.  Michael Jordan scores another MVP award.
• The great flood of July 1997…DLSU didn’t cancel classes despite the hard, torrid rainfall.  Traffic barely moved and I tried all possible ways to get home (Baclaran, Makati, Edsa), but no form of transportation was available.  I rode a bus to Park Square One with hopes of catching an FX or a van.  I was able to ride one at 11 pm and was able to reach home at 6 in the morning.  Traffic was a complete standstill along Sucat Road and Coastal.  Again, another traumatic experience for me…at that time, cellphones were a luxury.
• The Adidas bag I bought got stolen in the pebblewash during ROTC-01.  I had to go home all dusty and muddy since all my stuff are in the bag.  Good thing, I didn’t leave my money and ID in there.  What’s even worse, the bag was only a week old.  I really loathed ROTC-01 as I made the wrong choice of joining the model batallion.
• The demise of Princess Diana in a car crash.
• United Kingdom turns over Hong Kong to mainland China.
• The Asian Financial Crisis started in July 1997 in Thailand and Korea with the collapse of affected currencies and stock markets.
• Puff Daddy & The Family dominate the charts with two hit singles: "Can’t Nobody Hold Us Down" featuring Ma$e and "I’ll Be Missing You" featuring Faith Evans and 112.  The album "No Way Out" became one of the biggest sellers of the year.  As a result, Puff Daddy became one of the biggest names in hip-hop/R&B/rap music.
• The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe
• Bitch by Meredith Brooks
• Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G.
• Semi-charmed Life by Third Eye Blind
• Push by Matchbox 20
• How Do I Live by LeAnn Rimes / Trisha Yearwood
• You Were Meant For Me by Jewel
• Firestarter by Prodigy
• D’you Know What I Mean by Oasis

1st Year, 2nd Term, SY 1997-1998

Subjects taken:

• INTPHIL - Ms. Natty Manauat - 4.0
• ACTONEB - Ms. Gina Manaligod - 2.0
• WORDPRO - Mr. Alex Bautista - 2.5
• ORIENT2 - Mr. Ramon Enriquez (+) - P
• POLIGOV - Mr. Eli Cubol - 3.5
• FILIONE - Mr. Ramil Correa - 3.0
• RELSONE - Dr. Eduardo Natividad (+) - 3.0
• COMATH2 - Dr. Eduardo Natividad (+) - 4.0
• PETWODA - Ms. Cecilia Gomez - 4.0
• ROTC-02 - 4.0
• GPA - 3.325 (told ya I got my revenge…)
• CGPA - 3.013 (..on the way to the medals baby!!!)

This is one of those terms when I was motivated to put my best foot forward and to push myself to the limits.  This is also one strange term since my COMATH2 professor was also my RELSONE professor.  I did better on the former though cause I was the only one who got a 4.0 in our block…this motivated me to teach COMATH2 later on in my life.  I also transferred to the regular platoon in ROTC where my life was relatively more peaceful unlike that in the model batallion.

Events, Movies & Music of First Year, Second Term

• My Best Friend’s Wedding and its accompanying soundtrack album which features Diana King’s remake of "I Say A Little Prayer".
• Disney’s "Hercules"
• Mimic
• Mariah Carey’s "Butterfly" featuring the hit single "Honey", the hit record that unveiled her new image after her split with husband Tommy Mottola, then chief of Sony Music.  Carey was MTV’s Artist of the Month for October 1997.
• Sarah McLachlan’s "Surfacing" featuring the hit single "Building A Mystery".  Such hit earned her a Best Female Pop Vocal Grammy in March 1998.  The said album generated more hit singles like "Adia" and "Angel".
• Celine Dion’s "Let’ Talk About Love" album hit record stores in November 1997.  Dion makes her trademark ballad "My Heart Will Go On" a radio staple thanks to the film "Titanic". 
• Global economic crisis scares stock markets worldwide.
• India claims its third Miss World plum in the person of Diana Hayden.
• DLSU loses to UST in the UAAP Basketball Finals Season 60.
• Janet Jackson clinches the #1 Billboard 200 album with "The Velvet Rope".  This darkly and sensually themed CD earned Jackson another #1 hit single with "Together Again" which topped the charts in early 1998.  "Got ‘Til It’s Gone" was in rotation in video channels by late 1997.  Such single samples folk singer Joni Mitchell’s "Big Yellow Taxi" and features the rap stylings of Q-Tip.  The video to this single also earned Jackson a Grammy Award for Best Music Video Short Form.
• Boyz II Men returns to the music scene with their third studio album, Evolution.  They topped the charts for one week with the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-penned hit "4 Seasons Of Loneliness".
• Elton John’s "Candle In The Wind 1997 / Something About The Way You Look Tonight" became the year’s biggest single.  Not only was it the biggest selling single of 1997 but of all time.

Gee, time flies so fast.  If only I could turn back time, I would tell myself to enjoy my life more.  After all, you will only be 18 once. 

Before I get eaten alive by my past, let me share with you one of my favorite songs from 1997.  Janet Jackson, Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip say it best…YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU GOT ‘TIL IT’S GONE.

Got ‘Til It’s Gone - Janet Jackson featuring Joni Mitchell & Q-Tip

As a child, watching Disney movies is more than a routine, it is a ritual that gives me wide-eyed delight and excitement.  It is quite hard to imagine life as a kid without even watching a Disney flick.  As everyone celebrates Mothers’ Day today, I would like to pay special tribute to one of my all-time favorite Disney classic, Dumbo. 

Originally released in 1941 and shown in the

Philippines

in September 1955, Dumbo remains to be one of the finest animated films ever made by Disney, at least in my opinion.  Watching Dumbo now, at age 28, still makes me feel like a kid.  Honestly, it is one of those rare films that makes me cry even as a grown man.  And I must admit that it takes a lot of guts on my part to acknowledge that here. Remember the scene where Dumbo visits his mom locked up in a cage and the song “Baby Mine” starts to play and then Mrs. Jumbo gives Dumbo a swing on her trunk? The sheer power of a child’s innocence resonates in this scene as Dumbo selflessly and trustingly climbed his mom’s trunk just for a few minutes to be with her.  Tears just well up in my eyes every time I see this scene or even hear this song.  I find it extremely difficult to imagine my life without my mom.  It is amazing how mothers would unconditionally do things for their children.  When I was sick, it was my mom who nursed me to health, making sure that I drink my medicine at the right time.  She would even sacrifice her own sleep just to make sure that I am on my way to recovery.  My mom would move heaven and earth just to get me to the hospital when I broke my left arm when I was four, shortly after Christmas Day of 1983.  I always remember my mom reading me stories as a child.  I grew fond of books and writing because of her.  She is one person who made sure that everything at home is put into order and she made sure that there is food to eat on the table come meal time. 

The summer I graduated from college in 2001 was the same time my mom tried her luck for a Personal Assistant position for one of the owners of Goldilocks bakeshop.  It made her leave home for several weeks to undergo training.  Even though they are family friends, to me they are harbingers of bad news.  Believe me when I say that this is one of the loneliest times of my life.  Now I can imagine how badly scarred children are when they come from broken families.  I just can not accept the fact that she will try her luck in some other place to make ends meet hoping to get to manage on of their branches in the

US

just because entrepreneurial opportunities here in the

Philippines

are very pathetically dismal.  That summer, I turned 22 and graduated With Honors and Loyalty and I promised myself that I will work myself to the bone so that my mom will never ever have to leave us.  Luckily, come June of the same year, I was juggling two1 jobs and made enough money.  I gave most of my first salary as a high school teacher to my mom that month and I took her shopping. 

On her special day, make sure that you take some special time to greet her, hug her, and tell her how grateful you are for the gift of life you are now enjoying.  Happy Mothers’ Day to everyone and may God bless your mom with long life, excellent health, peace of mind, prosperity and with everything her heart always wanted…

Baby Mine [from Dumbo]

Baby mine, don’t you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine
Little one when you play
Don’t you mind what you say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine
If they knew sweet little you
They’d end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they’d give just for
The right to hold you
From your head to your toes
You’re not much, goodness knows
But you’re so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine

It has been quite some time since I have last updated this blog of mine.  I have been busy teaching two classes of BUSCALC (Business Calculus) everyday for the past week this Summer Term.  It is my fifth consecutive time to handle summer classes and despite the hurried pace, I find it more relaxing and less tedious than the usual term.  The atmosphere in campus is more serene and more conducive to studying.  Honestly, I find students doing better during summer than the regular term despite the fact that I am giving quizzes and exams of the same level of difficulty. 

I know I promised myself to take a summer break this year but my opportunity cost is so high.  Instead of storing fats by sleeping and eating for three weeks, I would rather earn extra cash.  I am up for permanency next year and given the very strict requirements (Ph.D and publications), I would rather take advantage of the opportunity to earn.  After all, it is a sign that the university is still interested in my services.  I need the extra income for seed money to realize my dream of going abroad: Canada, Australia, New Zealand are on top of my list.

Speaking of work, I just received news fromour college dean that she will retain me as the Director of the Interdisciplinary Business Studies for another school year.  I am quite flattered that there are people who are appreciating my efforts despite the fact that I am heading a very small office with only 5 faculty members, myself included.  The nature of our operations is that of a department but we are classified as not.  The effect is that the workload spread among us could be quite huge and intimidating.  Honestly, I miss my life as an ordinary teacher.  There are less headaches, less concerns, and my life is relatively peaceful.  Being a part of the decision-making process made me mature faster and grow older, and hopefully wiser.  Sometimes, the stress level can be so alarming.  At times, I make some form of cost-benefit analysis as to whether I am better off as a part-time faculty.  Is the stress and the responsibility really worth it?  Well, the answer will be unveiled in August 2008.  Not too long ago, I was just a struggling teacher who just wished for enough teaching load to make ends meet.  As of the moment, there is nothing I can do but hang on and enjoy every moment of it and thank God for all the blessings. 

Summer is almost over.  The first term will commence on May 23rd.  Next stop, Christmas vacation.  Another school year, another chapter, another life.  Like what I have said before, what makes life in DLSU exciting is that no two terms are ever the same.  Each has its distinct smell, distinct weather, distinct events, distinct music, distinct movies, distinct…in every sense of the word.

On a lighter note, I was so amazed that I am one among Yahoo!’s Top 500 Reviewers of albums.  To think that this is just a hobby I started around 5 years ago.  I usually write album reviews when I am bored.  I wish someone from Billboard or Rolling Stone would read them so that I can make a career out of it. 

As summer draws to a close, here are some things that I look forward to for the month of May:

• Summer Paydays
• The Pirates of the Carribean 3 : At World’s End
• Shrek The Third
• Michael Buble’s "Call Me Irresponsible"
• Maroon 5’s "It Won’t Be Soon Before Long" featuring the hit single "Makes Me Wonder"
• Linkin Park’s "Minutes to Midnight" featuring the hit single "What I’ve Done"

Call Me Irresponsible - Michael Bublé

Call me irresponsible
Call me unreliable
Throw in undependable, too.

You go ahead call me irresponsible
I admit I’m unreliable
But it is undeniably true
That I’m irresponsibly mad for you.